In addition to managing full-time duties as CFO of Green Street Real Estate Ventures, Luke Pope has launched and built several other successful ventures since he was first named a Titan 100. He has been instrumental in growing Emerald Capital from a start-up to a national consulting firm in the New Markets Tax Credit Space and co-founded and launched Impact Marketplace that looks to disrupt the New Markets Tax Credit industry while driving more subsidy to low-income communities.
“We are looking to provide more equitable opportunities for financing of projects in underserved communities,” said Pope. “We also endeavor to assist first-time developers in these neighborhoods to ensure the success of their projects and provide jobs, community services and access to healthy food in food deserts.”
Under Pope’s leadership, the firm has launched a memory care and assisted living business and has grown to seven communities in the first 12 months of operations. “We foster a host of corporate values and always strive to not only drive profit but also to serve the community in which we develop,” he said.
In the next five years, Pope said the company looks to expand its development to cross the $2 billion in total development threshold and have developed projects in at least five cities.
“I strive to build multiple businesses that can withstand different economic cycles while also providing a high standard of living for our employees, not only from a financial perspective but also from an employment of work perspective,” said Pope. “I want the next generation of owners of these businesses to be more successful than the group that built them and I hope that we instill the values that they continue this legacy into future ownership groups.”
When providing advice to the next generation of leaders, Pope said he encourages others to work hard, be passionate about your work and your community and surround yourself with people of different backgrounds and views to continue to build your network.
“Working hard can never be underestimated,” said Pope. “Hard work alone will not be the sole answer; however, it is difficult to accomplish a lot if you are not willing to roll up your sleeves, put in the time and do things that you may not always want to do.”
As a leader who does roll up his sleeves and puts in the hard work, it’s only natural that Pope has been inducted into the Titan 100 Hall of Fame.
