Emmet Pierson, Jr. is president and CEO of Community Builders of Kansas City (CBKC) where he is charged with developing and implementing CBKC's integrated entrepreneurial business model, forging new partnerships, designing new solutions and strengthening bonds that will enable the organization to convene communities, increase resources and empower families and neighborhoods in underserved communities. Pierson is a seasoned real estate professional with over 30 years of progressive experience in key areas of the real estate industry, including project management, finance acquisition, multi-layered development financing, program administration, property management, and asset management. Pierson was most recently a consultant at North 40 Development, where he advised economic development organizations, including CBKC, on mixed income housing, public / private partnerships, project management, redevelopment strategies, community and economic development planning and development of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects. Pierson began his career at Swope Community Builders (now Community Builders of Kansas City) where he advanced from senior development specialist to director of real estate and development and ultimately senior vice president of development and real estate. He implemented various development and management strategies allowing Swope Community Builders to grow in assets 64 percent during five years of leadership.