Founder and President

Kyle brings 20 years of experience in community and economic development with a focus on real estate and finance. He founded Classic Lake in 2014 to serve women- and minority-owned businesses in marginalized communities. Previously, he held VP roles at JPMorgan Chase and SDS Capital Group, facilitating over $2 billion in investments in underserved communities. 

Kyle is an avid skier who holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor's from Morehouse College. Kyle serves as a board member supporting various community development non-profits in California and Minnesota.  

Managing Director

José specializes in financial engineering, capital stack development and real estate development management. He develops strategies and structures investments for public-private partnerships nationwide, with transaction experience exceeding $8 billion.

With 20+ years in finance, real estate and corporate transactions, José frequently speaks on tax credit financing and community impacts at industry conferences. He holds a Master's in Planning & Economic Development from USC and a Bachelor's in City & Regional Planning from Cornell University.

Director of Development

Genia Abram has over 25 years of experience in construction and project management, specializing in planning, design, and construction for owners. Her expertise spans pre-construction, programming, design, and construction coordination, with a focus on delivering client-centered outcomes that align with operational goals, budgets, and schedules across every stage of a project.

She has led major projects for educational institutions, corporate campuses, and retail environments, overseeing new construction, large-scale relocations and remodels across the country.

Genia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Howard University and is dedicated to advancing projects that foster community engagement, operational excellence, innovative solutions, and equitable outcomes.

Associate

Marcus plays an integral role across the firm's advisory, compliance, and business development functions. He leads the client onboarding process, including the collection and early review of project diligence, stakeholder coordination, and timeline management. Marcus also leads post-investment asset management and compliance preparation activities, and develops investor and lender marketing materials that support the firm's deal pipeline.

Prior to Classic Lake, he held corporate roles at Block, Inc. (formerly Square), HBO, and PepsiCo. Marcus earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. He is an alumnus of Project REAP and Open Access, and currently serves on the Open Access alumni board.