Vernon Priest, P.E., M.B.A.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Vernon started his career as a civil engineering consultant working in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.  His clients included major developers such as Arvida Corporation and AmeriFirst Development Corporation.

He was offered a position with Amerifirst as Vice President of Land Development which started his career in land development management.  His responsibilities at Amerifirst included due diligence, planning and the DRI process for the 1,200-acre mixed-use Sawgrass Mills project.  This project contained 2,400 units, the 2.2 million square foot Sawgrass Mills mall and 4.5 million square feet of commercial and office space.

Amerifirst was part of an international consortium working to obtain the franchise for Florida’s High Speed Rail program.  As Manager of Real Estate, Vernon traveled the state identifying potential routes, station sites and transit-oriented development opportunities, as well as meetings with landowners, developers, and government officials. Unfortunately, the state did not fund the program.

His remaining experience in land development management covers projects throughout Florida which were residential, commercial, office and mixed-use, including several Developments of Regional Impact. During the housing recession, he provided due diligence analysis for distressed projects throughout the state for financial institutions, receivers and investors.

He is currently providing due diligence, project management and entitlement support for builders and developers in the central Florida area.

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

Professional Civil Engineer – Registered in Florida

EDUCATION

• Master of Business Administration – Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida
• Bachelor of Science Ocean Engineering – Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida