Michael Leeds has been a real estate professional since graduating from George Washington University in 1987 with a BBA in Finance. Working for the boutique real estate consulting firm GA/Partners which became the Real Estate Advisory Group for Arthur Andersen & Co., Michael spent the first five years of

his professional career performing market and financial feasibility studies for large commercial and residential projects, as well as other interesting real estate advisory assignments for companies around the world.

 

Michael left Arthur Andersen to pursue his passion - real estate development, acquisitions, and financing, working for a small commercial firm in Ft Lauderdale, where he was introduced to the business from an attorney turned real estate developer.

 

Moving to Tampa in 1995, he joined the shopping center management, leasing and development company RMC Property Group, which he oversaw from 1997 to 2007. It was during these years that he learned the operational side of real estate, maximizing returns and ensuring asset longevity for the owners of the 100 plus shopping center portfolio managed by the company. It was also during this timeframe that he began developing real estate as a principal.

 

Deciding to focus solely on real estate development, Michael started his own firm, Shagbark Properties

in 2008, where he continues to work with many new and old friends and business associates. Over his

career, he has developed in excess of 3 ½ million square feet, primarily retail projects, ranging from

freestanding single tenant projects to grocery anchored shopping centers, as well as two large mixed-

use commercial and residential projects.

 

Learning the importance of giving back from several of his great friends and partners, Michael has

worked with multiple Tampa Bay Jewish organizations in different capacities including the Hillels of the

Florida Suncoast, the Tampa JCC and Federation, and synagogues Kol Ami and Rodeph Sholom. In

addition to these organizations, Michael spent several years as a board member of Corbett Preparatory

School. Currently, Michael sits on the Take Stock in Children Board, the Channelside CRA Advisory

Committee, and is on the Dive Team at the Florida Aquarium. He also enjoys mentoring high

schoolers enrolled in the Take Stock in Children program run through the local Hillsborough Education

Foundation.

 

Michael’s true love and where he likes to spend most of his free time is with his family, wife Stacy, and

three young adult men, Benjamin, Jeremy, and Joshua. They all share a passion for the water, and

continue to travel and scuba dive together, always looking for a new adventure.