James E. Whalen

President & CEO

info@jwhalen.net

Jim Whalen is a real estate developer, government affairs expert and wildlife biologist whose firm specializes in the resolution of difficult land use, governmental affairs, and finance and development challenges for business and government interests.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a degree in wildlife biology, Jim’s early experience was in the electric and gas utility business, followed by the oil industry. Jim has worked on the region’s entire multi-jurisdictional habitat planning efforts since their inception 18 years ago.

Since he started working in the development arena in San Diego in 1985 for Chevron Land and Development, Jim has excelled in building the type of relationships his clients require for successful development agreements and entitlements. Jim has nearly thirty years of experience working with all forms of government and has received many awards and peer recognition. His network of contacts and knowledge of the process is unmatched in the industry. He particularly enjoys working with families on resolving their land use and environmental matters.

Richard Geisler

Vice President

rgeisler@jwhalen.net

Rich Geisler is Vice President of J. Whalen Associates, Inc. Rich is a California State Bar Certified Attorney and California State Certified Real Estate Broker.

Rich's education and experience working as a Policy Analyst for Council President Scott Peters, for the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency and as a Summer Law Clerk for the Department of Justice's Environmental and Natural Resources Division have prepared him for dealing with the dynamic world of governmental affairs, development, redevelopment and entitlements. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Economic Development Corporation and is the co-founder and current board member of both the International Children’s Cancer Foundation and the Fuller Center for Housing of San Diego. Rich is a 2008 LEAD graduate and was honored by San Diego Metropolitan Magazine in 2008 on their 40 under 40 list. He also is an adjunct professor at National University and the University of Phoenix, teaching real estate, development, business law and contracts.

Currently, Rich is working on various development projects throughout the County and had brokered land sales of various types and sizes. The projects vary in size and each have dynamic and complicated issues needing approval from all levels of government. The project types vary from, redevelopment, renewable energy, affordable housing, senior and assisted living, single and multiple family residential and retail to mixed use commercial/residential developments. Rich has a depth of experience in effective problem solving and management of teams of consultants, municipal staff and decision makers.

Conor McGee

Project Manager

cmcgee@jwhalen.net

Conor McGee is a Project Manager at J. Whalen Associates, Inc. His primary job duties include project management and tracking, preparation of correspondence and interfacing in association with project processing and assistance in review and revision of environmental documentation.

Conor has a solid background in both federal and local governmental systems, bolstering our ability to work with city, county, state and federal officials. Conor graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA with degrees in International Environmental Policy and Geology. Following graduation, Conor worked with a local engineering firm as a staff geologist, performing lab and field tests. Conor then moved to Washington, D.C. where he worked for a number of members of the California Congressional delegation as well as the Natural Resources Committee. He rose to the level of Legislative Assistant to Congressman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, advising the congressman on a wide variety of issues including energy, water, public lands, health care, social security, taxes, trade and education. Conor returned to California to serve as the Congressman’s Senior Field Representative in Santa Clarita, CA prior to joining JWA.