Leading community development professionals from around the country recently gathered in Las Vegas for the Novogradac 2025 Opportunity Zones Summit. Attendees gained valuable insight from qualified opportunity fund (QOF) managers, investors, developers, attorneys and Novogradac accountants on best practices for future success.

Among the featured speakers was Alfonso Costa Jr., Chief Operating Officer of Falcone Group, who participated in a panel discussion on the past, present and future of Opportunity Zones. This informative discussion included what to expect concerning regulations, how Congressional leadership shapes policy, and what to know about the new opportunity zones designations process. The panel also shared an overview of advocacy actions attendees could pursue now to help shape the future of the incentive.

Widely recognized as a thought leader in affordable housing and community development, Costa Jr. is frequently asked to present at real estate industry conferences. Prior to joining Falcone Group, he served in the Federal Government as Deputy Chief of Staff & Opportunity Zones lead for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In this public service role, he was responsible for overseeing policy for the $70 billion annually-budgeted Cabinet agency, which maintains a wide range of housing & community development programs and more than 5,000 employees nationwide. As a leader of the bi-partisan Opportunity Zones program, Costa Jr. held the title of Chairman’s delegate and HUD’s lead representative on the Federal Government’s inter-agency Opportunity and Revitalization Council. His incredible work in this area earned him recognition in the Opportunity Zone Magazine’s “Top 25 OZ Influencers” list for 2020 and 2021.

Additionally, Costa Jr. chairs the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Southeast Florida/Caribbean District’s Housing Affordability Committee, and is the recent Chair and current Program Chair of the ULI Florida Affordable Workforce Housing Council (AWHC).