FAIRFAX, VA (May 15, 2024) — George Mason University’s Costello College of Business is proud to welcome David Tarter as the new Executive Director of the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship (CREE) and Master of Real Estate Development programs. A former five-term mayor of Falls Church and an attorney with decades of experience in law and real estate, Tarter will be committed to growing the scope, reputation and impact of Costello’s real estate programs and centers while expanding experiential learning opportunities.
“we, David Tarter“We look forward to David’s extensive experience and knowledge as our new executive director and to taking the center to the next level,” said Ajay Vinze, dean of the Costello College of Business. “David will further enhance the experience our students can expect at our center. Cree is also “This position helps improve the career preparation of our students. With his unique background and skill set, Mr. Costello will expand opportunities for collaboration and innovation within the real estate industry to benefit our students.”
As Mayor of Falls Church from 2014 to 2023, Mr. Tarter contributed significantly to the City’s efforts to revitalize the aging downtown and promote smart growth development. During his tenure, he led the effort to create 1.2 million square feet of transit-oriented development near the West Falls Church Metro station through an innovative public-private partnership. With a focus on walkability and street-level vibrancy, Mr. Tarter helped attract new businesses such as Whole Foods, Harris Teeter and other grocery stores, a multi-screen theater downtown, hotels, senior housing, offices and other new developments. He also testifies before the Council on behalf of the City on local government issues. Prior to being elected, he served as Chairman of the City’s Economic Development Agency, which led the creation of Falls Church’s “Little City” brand.
During his time as Mayor, he served as elected Chair of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), a coalition of 13 local governments, and received the Gordon N. Dixon Award from the Virginia Association of Planning Districts for outstanding regional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tarter was also elected Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, a regional group comprised of elected officials from the governments of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., to foster collaboration among the region’s 5.7 million residents.
He previously founded Tarter Nova Law PLC, a boutique law firm specializing in commercial real estate, where he served as lead counsel on government entitlements, land use approvals and transactions for multi-billion dollar transit-oriented development and smart growth projects, including rezoning, site plans and special exceptions for multifamily, office, hotel and special purpose projects. He has been recognized by his peers as a “Top Lawyer” by Martindale Hubbell, Northern Virginia Magazine and Arlington Magazine.
Prior to founding his own firm, he was a partner at Lawson, Tarter & Charvet LLP where he specialized in commercial real estate, including the 3,000+ residential units Metropolitan Park, master planned by internationally renowned architect Robert A. M. Stern and now home to Amazon HQ2, and the Crystal City Sector Plan, where he represented one of the region’s largest property owners in Arlington County’s 40-year plan for Crystal City.
The Real Estate Entrepreneurship Center bridges the gap between academia and practice, addressing important issues that will impact the future of the real estate industry and the built environment. The Center supports graduate, undergraduate and non-degree academic programs by offering student scholarships, trade association memberships, networking opportunities, career advising, lectures by industry leaders, a unique student investment fund class, and numerous extracurricular educational programs such as case study tours, webinars and conferences.
For more information about George Mason University’s Center for Excellence, business.gmu.edu/center.
About George Mason University
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, DC, Mason enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half century and is known for its innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, incredible diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched “Mason Now: Power the Possible,” a comprehensive $1 billion campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. For more information, visit GUM.
About George Mason University Costello College of Business
George Mason University’s Donald G. Costello School of Business is one of Virginia’s largest business schools, with locations near Washington, DC, and in South Korea. The AACSB-accredited university’s research-focused faculty and emphasis on multidisciplinary academic programs, comprehensive entrepreneurship, modular education, and collaboration with corporate partners prepares undergraduate and graduate students for success in business and government in the U.S. and around the world. Click here for details business.gmu.edu.
