Faraji Whalen bio
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Transcript of Faraji Whalen bio
Faraji Whalen ��
Creative experienced professional who drives business success through entrepreneurial work ethic, design and communication skill, and rigorous analysis and thoughtfulness. Growing up overseas in several countries in Africa helped develop a unique cross-cultural fluency and ability to relate to people from all walks of life. Faraji holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Morehouse College and an MS in Real Estate Development from MIT. Faraji is an advocate of constant learning and has been active on several boards providing educational opportunities to DC youth.�
Summary�
Skills�Sales & Negotiation�Over 14 years of experience in business to business sales, real estate brokerage, and business development
roles.�
Leadership & Management�Faraji has consistently led teams to outperform in multiple
roles with P&L responsibility and is diligent about training
and developing talent. �
Analysis & Forecasting�Advanced Excel modeling skills honed by training at
MIT and self-directed ULI coursework, and is skilled at
uncovering and creating value.
Writing�Multiple publications including books, magazines and
newspaper articles. Faraji was Editor-in-Chief of his
College Newspaper.�
Acquisition�Faraji is an expert at discovering opportunities through
developing relationships, database and technology
mining, and good old cold calling and door knocking.
Strategy & Creativity�Thrives in a creative atmosphere and has founded and
led successful businesses and endeavors that have
provided upside for clients, colleagues, and himself.
Professional History KW Commercial: �
2014-Present�
Led KW Capital Properties’ Commercial Unit, with over
$10MM of individual completed lease and sale transactions.�
Nelnet Campus Solutions�
2006-2007�
Won multiple RFP’s for loan servicing and grew client base while servicing 40+ client $50MM loan portfolio, including region’s largest exclusive client�
Menkiti Group/WPM�
2012-2014
Managed profit and loss responsibility, budget, staff, and
operations for 200+ unit property management business, increasing annual revenues by $180,000.�
Sallie Mae�
2004-2005�
Managed a team of brand representatives in growing $60MM loan servicing portfolio across five brands, while leading implementation of new loan servicing platform.�
Domus Property Management: �
2010-2012�
Founded and managed Profitable 40-unit property management company, licensing existing company’s brand.
�
Education�
Cambridge, MA, 2009
Master of Science in Real Estate Development
• Thesis: “Ghost Towers: Distressed Condo Investing in Atlanta”
• Competed in UT Austin Real Estate Competition
• 680 GMAT Score
Atlanta, GA, 2001
Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration
• Editor in Chief, Maroon Tiger Newspaper
• Director of Transportation, Homecoming
• Two-Time winner, Georgia Collegiate Press Association Senior Award
Washington DC, 1996
High School Diploma
• National Merit Scholar
• National Achievement Scholar
• Multiple publications in Student creative writing journal.
Washington DC,…
Awkward, I got kicked out for getting in a fight with this other kid. The Quakers aren’t really big on that kind of thing.
SELECTED EXPERIENCE (OFFICE)�Washington Gas Building: Faraji won the Landlord Representation contract for 7,300 SF bu i ld ing th rough an a t to rney relationship. While a major regional broker failed to fill the space within a year, Faraji sourced a $2,500,000 10-year lease with Credit tenant in four months by focusing on
non-profit users, Office Tenant Reps, and local community organizations. Summit Commercial Real Estate represented Tenant.�
Railroad Building: Represented New York
based Hillside Children’s Center in
procuring new headquarters space.
Successfully leased 2,700 SF Second
generation office while coordinating real
estate team in New York and local
consultants in Washington D.C. �
OTHER OFFICE DEALS: • 415 7th St. NW:
Sonecon 2,700 SF Class A Office (Landlord Rep)
• 914 Silver Spring Ave: Go Brent Team (KW) 1,600 SF Class B Office (Tenant Rep)
• 2600 12th St. NE: Central Union Mission 2,650 SF Class B Office (Landlord Rep)
• 3938 Benning Rd. NE: First Time Computers 3,200 SF Class B Office (Landlord Rep)
SELECTED EXPERIENCE (RETAIL)�Bakers Lounge: Represented independent
bakery business in opening their their second
D.C Location. 1,100 SF, Brookland�
Librii: Represented Landlord in acquiring start up education tech company Librii. 1,000 SF, Anacostia�
Story District: Represented local non-profit
art user in opening their first private space
after ten years in business. 1,200 SF, Petworth�
Be Here Now Yoga: Represented start-up
yoga studio opening their first space on
Barracks Row. 2,000 SF, Capitol Hill�
SELECTED EXPERIENCE (MULTI-FAMILY)
Residences at W Street�Anacostia�Washington, D.C.�
Completed initial lease-up of modular multifamily after developer converted to rental units. Worked with DHCD and DCHA to offer units at 30%, 60% and 80% affordability. Property managed complete project. �
DelShah Valery Place (Libretto)�Columbia Heights�Washington, D.C.�
Managed 23 unit mixed-income building under Voluntary Agreement guidelines.
Participated in disposition of building to
Oculus Realty with GreySteel as procuring agent. �
Tewkesbury Condominiums�Brightwood�Washington, D.C.�
Led sales team for 26 unit Blue Skye Developed condo building in Brightwood.
Managed marketing, advertising, and
outreach, completing 100% sold status in eight months. �
Faraji led the team that managed the condo association for Dantes Partners/ Menkiti Group developed Metropolitan Overlook�
Manor Park Modern�This is the project that got me out of student loans and into real estate. I bought a beat up old
four-unit building in 2005 and really made it a personal project. I totally renovated each unit
(usually while living in them), using as many recycled and surplus items as I could. That
backsplash? Dumpster-dived from Porcelanosa when they moved their showroom. Failing to
convince them to donate the excess tile to Community Forklift, I called my house-flipping clients
and we hauled several tons of tiles to our respective projects. The kitchen cabinetry is from Ikea.
I pitched the floor manager on taking a display kitchen off his hands for half price, which
provided enough material for three units. The marble floors are surplus from the Ritz-Carlton
demo and the entry door is a stainless steel commercial door that weighs about 120 lbs. I hauled
it down to Baltimore and took three days to do the install and the surround because of the
custom welding and surround. Financially the building has done well, cementing my belief that
good design can also equal good returns. �
DSCR: 1.6 �
Initial Three Year rent growth: 280%�
Five Year Occupancy: 98.3%�
Stabilized Capitalization Rate: 11% �
Faraji has deepened his involvement with his family’s African Art gallery and retail store in both
investment and operations role. Founded in 1991 in Washington’s historic U Street district,
Zawadi sells a unique collection of traditional and contemporary African art pieces, home décor,
and clothing and accessories. Faraji has expanded the store’s brand to a new audience by hiring a
new Creative Director, implementing online sales, and overseeing email marketing, social media,
and promotions. He has attended the NY Now trade show and Art Basel on behalf of Zawadi and
has created relationships with vendors, interior designers, and the press to increase revenue. �
Affiliations�
International Council of Shopping Centers�
Three time attendee, ReCON La Vegas�
Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington�
�
Georgia Avenue Community Development Task Force�
Created summer internship program, successfully grant-writing $40,000 funding application to Shaw Columbia H e i g h t s Fa m i l y S u p p o r t Collaborative, and hosting first annual Community Charette at Howard University�
�
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Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association�
Two time attendee, BLLA Annual Conference�
Community Service�
Paul Public Charter School�
Raised over $25,000 to help
Paul PCS High School
students study abroad,
leading and planning two
fundraisers while serving on
the Board of Trustees. �
The College Advocate�
Raised $7,000 to provide college
counseling standardized test
p r e p, c o l l e g e t o u r s , a n d
independent tutoring for high-
achieving underserved DC youth
while serving on Board of
Directors�
Librii�
Joined Board of Directors of
innovative start-up providing
underserved youth with space
and resources to create
digital and physical content
and host it at Librii sites �