President, Clifford E. Watson
Clifford E. Watson is a community leader, entrepreneur, and speaker. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Cliff is also the Assistant Pastor of Providence Baptist Church, in the heart of the city of Cleveland.
Cliff serves as the President of The Embassy Group LLC. He created The Embassy Group to be a full serve Real Estate Development Company that specializes in Commercial, Church, Mixed Use Residential and Retail Development. In addition, Cliff has a legal business and construction background. Cliff has a heart for cities across the country and wants to see transformation happen to many of our deteriorating cities. Cliff loves to fishing charters and spending quality time with family.
Vice President, Michael P. LoPresti
Michael LoPresti is a CEO, Consultant, Minister, and Communicator. He has extensive experience in Capital Fund Raising, Leadership Development, Pastoral/Church Ministries, Managing Start-Ups, Strategic Planning, Organizational Management, Team Building, and Financing. He is the founder of Emerging Church Solutions (A church consulting group) and Emerging Capital Funding (A loan financing firm). He has a passion for helping Pastors and Leaders secure the resources needed to fulfill their God given vision for the future. He holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from John Carroll University and a Ministry Degree from Rhema Bible Training Center. Michael and his wife Linda have been married for 32-Years. They have four children, four grandchildren and reside in Mayfield Hts., Ohio.
General Counsel, Gerald M. Jackson
Gerald M. Jackson has worked with economic & financial institutions for over four decades, while always finding time to share information, strategies and resources with governmental, quasi-governmental and community-based organizations. He has and continues to represent small private business owners and quasi-public and private non-profit organizations and entrepreneurs.
Mr. Jackson is the managing member of G. M. Jackson Law Company, LLC, a Northeast Ohio, business law boutique firm which maintains a focus in real property, probate, trust and business transactions. Mr. Jackson has logged a forty-five (45) year career path in commercial and residential real estate law, business succession planning and asset protection. He currently serves as a member of the Ohio State Bar Association’s Committee on Real Estate Law, among others.
Mr. Jackson also serves as private counsel, general counsel, special counsel and/or consultant to numerous for profit and non-profit organizations. His clients include small businesses, credit unions, churches, charter schools and business trade associations. Mr. Jackson is frequently invited to serve as speaker and/or seminar leader on real estate transfer and development matters. Additionally, he sits as Acting Judge for Shaker Heights Municipal Court.