Launched in 2023 by the Founders of The Net Lease Group.

Esmael brings over 25 years of commercial real estate, corporate finance, and capital markets experience to his role at IDC, where he is responsible for the overall management, strategic direction, and performance of the firm.

In addition, he leads capital management initiatives, which include capital sourcing, underwriting, and capitalization of Intrepid Development Companies projects.

Earlier in his career, Esmael worked as a Commercial Real Estate Construction & Development Financier with SunTrust Banks of Atlanta and a Real Estate Investment Banker with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. Subsequently, he co-founded The Net Lease Group with his partner Philip Wickstrom. Esmael and Philip continue to have active roles as Managing Principals with The Net Lease Group.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Real Estate from Georgia State University, where he currently serves as a Board of Trustee on GSU’s Foundation Board and Chairs the Real Estate Committee. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors {ACBR]. He currently resides with his family in Atlanta, GA.

With more than 24 years of expertise in commercial real estate and law, Philip specializes in commercial real estate development and net lease properties. Mr. Wickstrom oversees the entire development process, from site acquisition and entitlement to construction and final delivery.

Before founding Intrepid Development and The Net Lease Group, Mr. Wickstrom was a net lease services professional in Cushman & Wakefield’s Atlanta office. Prior to Cushman & Wakefield, Mr. Wickstrom practiced law for eight years focusing on contracts, corporate transactions, labor law, and intellectual property. He represented corporate and private clients, including Fortune 1000 companies, small businesses, and professional athletes.

Philip earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Arizona, a Master of Science in Management (M.S.M.) from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from the University of Miami School of Law.

He is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Urban Land Institute (ULI), the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors, and the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Wickstrom was previously a member of the NFL Players Association and served on the Business Advisory Council for Florida ARF, a non-profit organization advocating for the benefit and rehabilitation of disabled persons.

Before joining IDC, Mr. DiGiovanni served as President at Inland Atlantic Development Corp. since 2007, overseeing the initiation and management of new development ventures and the daily operational activities. Over his 17-year tenure at Inland Atlantic Development, Mr. DiGiovanni spearheaded numerous multifamily and retail projects.

• Old National Marketplace – 270,000-SF Power Center, Atlanta, GA
• Seminole Commons – 81,000-SF-HH Gregg Retail Center, Sanford, FL
• Avondale Hills – 240-Unit Multifamily, Avondale Hills, GA

John joined Inland Southern Management in 2003 as Senior Vice President. In 2004, Mr. DiGiovanni transitioned to Inland Retail Estate Trust, Inc. (“Inland Retail”) as the Executive Vice President. Mr. DiGiovanni was instrumental in establishing Inland Retail’s development division. Over the next three years, Mr. DiGiovanni oversaw the creation of over 1.5 million square feet of development projects, from junior anchored to mixed-use developments.

Before joining Inland Retail, Mr. DiGiovanni was Senior Vice President of Development for BVT, a German-based syndication company that raised equity to promote new development and acquisitions of existing retail/office properties. Alongside the development team. Mr. DiGiovanni was responsible for developing approximately 500,000 square feet of mixed-use developments throughout the Southeast. In addition to overseeing development projects at BVT, Mr. DiGiovanni was responsible for creating and maintaining the reporting and tracking protocols for development projects and the subsequent reporting to partnership interests and the Board of Directors.

Rick has negotiated major credit tenant and non-credit tenant leases, negotiated debt/equity structures, and managed the disposition process. Participated in Over 1.2 million SF of Development, including Retail, Medical Office, STNL, and Residential.

Rick Ross brings an entrepreneur’s generalist approach to Intrepid Development with more than 30 years of project development and capital markets experience, including project conceptualization, feasibility, land entitlement and acquisition, and project leasing and management.

Previously, Rick was the Managing Broker at Marcus & Millichap, where he oversaw the closing of over $700 million in transactions and led a team of 20+ professionals. During his career, Rick successfully closed over $350 million in investment transactions as a principal and a commissioned advisor.

In the early 1990s, Rick co-founded Madison Capital Partners, where he served as Managing Partner and Director of Acquisitions. MCP acquired and managed U.S. real estate investments on behalf of European investor clients. Rick’s duties included sourcing and analyzing various office, industrial, and retail investment opportunities nationwide. He also negotiated, executed, and closed sale contracts, partnership agreements, and acquisition loans.

Rick earned a B. Arch (Professional Degree), BFA in Architecture History, and BA in Psychology from Syracuse University with extensive studies in Urban Design at MIT.

Bradley joined IDC to help expand its vertically integrated Commercial Real Estate portfolio. He focuses on business development, site selection, build-to-suit partners, local and state government engagement, and capital partner relations.

Mr. Massey has been a capital investor in commercial real estate for more than 12 years. He has over 25 years of experience in Technology, leading large GTM teams engaging with F1000 companies globally. Bradley graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Methodist University and currently resides with his family in Atlanta, Georgia.  

Trey brings with him over 14 years of project and construction management experience. Before joining Intrepid Development, Trey was an Assistant Area Construction Manager in District One for the Georgia Department of Transportation. He oversaw a $250 million construction program consisting of the new alignment, widening, bridges, and resurfacing projects.

Before joining GDOT, Trey served 23 years as a Seabee and Civil Engineer Corps Officer in the United States Navy. He earned his commission in 2008 after graduating from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Trey also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Georgia.

He is a proud native of Atlanta, Georgia, enjoys sports, art, and loves spending time with family and friends.

Joshua DiGiovanni brings more than a decade of experience in the construction and real estate development industries. Prior to joining IDC, he managed the land development process for a Chicago-based real estate developer, where since 2014 he oversaw the design, contracting, financing, construction, and operations of multifamily and mixed-use retail projects across the Southeastern United States.

With expertise spanning every phase of development—from conceptual design through vertical execution and project delivery—Joshua has played a key role in advancing complex projects that balance functionality, financial performance, and community impact.

A graduate of Georgia State University with a degree in Political Science, Joshua is also an active community leader. He serves as Vice President and Chair of the Fields and New Development Committee for Inter Atlanta FC, a 501(c)(3) organization committed to expanding youth soccer opportunities for underserved communities in Atlanta.

Mr. Bailey brings a background in structured commercial real estate finance. He underwrites various development projects, including build-to-suit and spec developments across the commercial development sector.  Dane focuses on the underwriting of development opportunities from an investment perspective, concentrating on the structure and feasibility of various capital structures and investment strategies for principals and capital partners of all types.

Before joining, Dane worked at Capital One in New York City in their Commercial Real Estate Fund Finance/Institutional Specialties Group, focusing on the underwriting and structuring of Master Repurchase Agreements for large institutional non-bank providers of commercial real estate debt. Specifically, he focused on underwriting multifamily, industrial, office, and mixed-use assets under MRA facilities. He holds a Georgia Real Estate License.

Dane graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Farmer School of Business at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. While not working, he enjoys running, playing golf, and spending time with his family.