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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLauren Wallace ApplicationLauren E. Wallace 2783 Kinnikinnick Road Unit 3 Vail, CO 81657 lauren@wcgadvisors.com (410) 982-9880 May 15, 2025 Vail Town Council 75 S. Frontage Road Vail, CO 81657 Dear Vail Town Council Members, I am writing to express my interest in serving on the Vail Local Housing Authority (VLHA) for the term beginning June 1, 2025. As a full-time resident of the Vail community and someone deeply committed to the vitality and sustainability of our town, I am eager to contribute my energy and perspective to the important work of expanding and protecting housing opportunities in Vail. The housing challenges facing mountain communities like ours are complex and critical. I believe deeply in the VLHA’s mission to advocate for and facilitate a full range of housing options, particularly deed-restricted, resident-occupied homes that sustain our local workforce and preserve Vail’s character. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to support the Authority’s strategic planning, policy recommendations, and long-term development efforts in partnership with Town Council and other stakeholders. I bring with me relevant qualifications or experience, e.g., experience in community planning, legal affairs, real estate, finance, nonprofit work, and a personal connection to housing challenges in our valley. In addition, I offer a collaborative spirit, a strong understanding of the community’s needs, and a genuine passion for making Vail a place where locals can live and thrive. I would be honored to contribute to the VLHA's efforts and help shape housing solutions that serve current and future generations. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my candidacy during the upcoming interviews. Sincerely, Lauren Wallace Submit Date: May 14, 2025 First Name Middle Initial Last Name Email Address Primary Phone Alternate Phone Home Address Suite or Apt City State Postal Code Employer Job Title Vail, CO Boards & Commissions Application Form Profile Preferred Name What is your work history from the last five (5) years? Currently self-employed (consulting); formerly, formerly Vice President at T-Mobile Which Boards would you like to apply for? Vail Local Housing Authority: Submitted Why are you interested in serving on this board? Local housing is critical for our community and impacts all of us directly and indirectly. I am currently focused on becoming more involved with the community now that I have the time. • What unique and particular qualifications do you bring to the position? Please provide specific examples. Former lawyer Former real estate agent Local resident/home owner since 2012 Familiar with Vail Indeed, lottery and other programs and participants Additional corporate experience managing teams, projects and complex problems. What is your experience serving on other Boards? Served on the Board of Industry Leaders (Consumer Technology Association aka CES) from 2020 - 2022; Served on the Content and Entertainment Counsel (CTA/CES) from 2019 - 2014) Served as Co-Chair of the Federal Communications Bar Association Current Board Committee Member for Round Up River Ranch's Bullseye Round Up/Grateful Harvest Lauren E Wallace lauren.e.wallace@gmail.com Home: (410) 982-9880 2783 Kinnickinnick Road Unit 3 Vail CO 81657 WCG Advisors President / Founder Lauren E Wallace What skills and experiences do you have to advance the mission of the Board? Previous and current board experiences Local home owner and neighbor Lawyer Former real estate agent Former executive at fortune 40 company Proven ability to be an effective advocate for unique and complex projects, from inception to completion. What do you see as the primary role of this Board? Advise the Vail Town Council on housing-related matters including budget approval, policy recommendations, advocacy, strategic and long-term planning, and making recommendations for development and acquisition parameters What do you believe is the largest obstacle facing this Board in the upcoming year? Expanding the quality and quantity of affordable housing for skilled and sustainable employees of our local businesses, town and community. Also, I would anticipate new obstacles. Do you have any conflicts of interest that may arise due to your employment, personal and/or professional relationships, or financial interests in the Town of Vail? Yes No If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please explain your conflict: Interests & Experiences Question applies to Design Review Board,Vail Local Housing Authority How would your appointment to the Authority add value and bring about new solutions to the community’s housing challenges? My appointment to the Vail Housing Authority would bring value through a results-driven approach focused on practical solutions and collaboration. I would prioritize identifying attainable housing options for local workers and families by evaluating underused land, supporting public-private partnerships, and streamlining approval processes to reduce delays and costs. With a fresh perspective, I’d also explore innovative housing models, such as modular construction and deed-restricted units, to preserve affordability long term. Most importantly, I would listen closely to the community’s concerns and ensure policies reflect real needs — not just plans on paper. My goal is to help Vail maintain its character while addressing the housing shortage in ways that are realistic, sustainable, and fair. Lauren E Wallace Upload Letter of Interest Upload a Resume Question applies to Vail Local Housing Authority What ideas would you suggest the VLHA consider to be more effective in acquiring deed restrictions? In response to the question, in order to make the Vail Local Housing Authority (VLHA) more effective in acquiring deed restrictions, the Authority couuld explore the following strategies: Expand the Buy-Down Program Aggressively target existing free-market homes and offer competitive buy-down incentives to current owners willing to place deed restrictions on their properties (including for future use only). This approach directly adds to the inventory without waiting for new builds/new purchases. There are various types of deed restricted properties in the town, and I think it is imperative that VLHA also strive towards consistency among those properties to reduce confusion and simplify ability to educate locals about the Authorities current and future programs (eg purchase amendments to previously restricted properties, such as updated terms and price increase limitations). Offer Tax Incentives Work with local and county officials to create property tax rebates or reductions for homeowners who voluntarily deed-restrict their homes for local workforce use. Prioritize Deed Restrictions in New Developments Require or heavily incentivize developers to include a percentage of deed-restricted units in every new project, using density bonuses or expedited permitting as leverage. Employer Partnerships Collaborate with large local employers to co-invest in deed restrictions. Employers have a vested interest in stabilizing housing for their staff and could share the costs. Flexible Restrictions Create tiers or more flexible deed restriction models that appeal to a wider range of homeowners — for example, allowing some rental flexibility while still preserving affordability for local workers. Dedicated Acquisition Fund Support the Authority's efforts to build up its dedicated, well-funded pot (through lodging taxes, real estate transfer assessments, or state/federal grants) solely for the purpose of purchasing deed restrictions quickly when opportunities arise. Question applies to Vail Local Housing Authority What ideas do you have for more effectively implementing these policies and strategies to increase the supply of deed restricted homes? Increase awareness and understanding about deed restrictions, and variations - most locals only understand the lottery; ensure deed restricted properties continue serving the purpose they were intended to serve. Evaluate enforcement to ensure we don’t undermine our purpose (eg going after mothers that work seasonal gigs between seasons). Expand education about deed restriction programs, review selection process of recipients and create a community among deed restricted owners to support transfers of properties. Question applies to Vail Local Housing Authority The Vail Local Housing Authority meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 3:00PM. Please describe your ability to attend these board meetings and the support you have from your employer, if applicable, to do so. Fully able to attend and participate in all meetings. Self-employed. Question applies to Vail Local Housing Authority Do you have any conflicts of interest that may arise due to your employment, personal and/or professional relationships, or financial interests in the Town of Vail? No Letter_of_Interest_VLHA_COUNCIL.pdf Lauren_E._Wallace___CV__5.2025.pdf Lauren E Wallace Lauren E. Wallace 3415 Meade Street, Denver, Colorado 80211 lauren.e.wallace@gmail.com | 410.982.9880 | www.linkedin.com/in/laurenwallace Career Highlights & Key Accomplishments • Successfully drove and led negotiations for rights transfer agreements designed to secure Sony PlayStation Vue’s OTT distribution rights for content from NBCU, The Walt Disney Company, 21st Century Fox, Warner Media, NFL Media Networks and more (T-Mobile Confidential). • Played instrumental roles negotiating and selling Layer3 TV to T-Mobile for $350 million and working cross-functionally to facilitate a highly matrixed enterprise integration. • Guided content distribution rights and partnership strategies negotiating and securing Layer3 TV’s robust portfolio of multi-channel video programming including (cable and OTT) linear, VOD, TVE, SVOD, AVOD and TVOD rights from leading content creators such as The Walt Disney Company, HBO, Showtime, AMC, Viacom, ABC, NBCU, Discovery, A+E, Sony, MGM, Starz and more. • Key contributor for traditional and new media distribution rights, digital platform development and media sales strategies at DISH Network and Sling TV culminating in launch of the first multi-channel OTT subscription service, Sling TV, in 2015 and over $520 million revenues during the first 12 months. • Structured and negotiated strategic partnerships designed to advance linear and addressable advertising initiatives and drive revenues, including creation of D2 Media Sales, a DIRECTV-DISH joint venture in 2014, creating a scalable addressable TV platform for political advertisers. • 2018 Cablefax Top Lawyers honoree for helping the media industry navigate a shifting landscape and setting the course amid regulatory upheaval. • Tagged by Multichannel News as a 2019 Woman to Watch. • Member of Consumer Technology Association’s 2019-2012 Board of Industry Leaders. Media, Technology & Telecommunications Experience T-Mobile | 2020 – 2024 | Denver, Colorado Vice President, Marketing (Content Partnerships; formerly, Content Partnerships and Operations) • Led and managed content partnerships team working cross-functionally in matrix organization to build healthy partnerships, secure content, and grow engagement and monetization. • Responsible for developing and driving execution of cross platform content partnerships (Apple, Netflix, Google, Disney, etc.) and core services costs reductions over $200M. • Lead and develop team responsible for overseeing and negotiating all content distribution strategies and partnerships for the company’s multi-channel video programming distribution including facilities- based IPTV systems and OTT services that offer linear, VOD, SVOD, TVOD, AVOD, PPV and TVE. • Understand, manage, and communicate complex content distribution rights information including pricing, packaging, positioning, MFNs, business models, technology/product deployment strategies, marketplace constraints, as well as strategic partnership and marketing opportunities to influence C- level executives on business issues. • Develop and execute content acquisition and programming strategies including building new structures and solving complex financial issues related to multi-product offerings. • Represent emerging lines of business interests and priorities through enterprise collaboration with marketing, product, engineering, finance, corporate strategy and other stakeholders. Page 2 of 2 (Lauren Wallace – 2019 CV) T-Mobile | 2018 – 2020 | Denver, Colorado Senior Director, Home + Entertainment Business & Legal Affairs • Serve on highly matrixed senior leadership team for T-Mobile’s Home + Entertainment organization. • Lead and develop the teams responsible for overseeing and negotiating all content distribution strategies and partnerships for the company’s multi-channel video programming distribution including facilities-based IPTV systems and OTT services that offer linear, VOD, SVOD, TVOD, AVOD, PPV and TVE. • Represent Home + Entertainment division interests and priorities through enterprise collaboration with marketing, finance, corporate strategy and other stakeholders. • Understand, manage, and communicate complex distribution rights information including pricing, packaging, positioning, MFNs, business models, technology/product deployment strategies, marketplace constraints, as well as strategic partnership and marketing opportunities. • Develop and execute content acquisition and programming strategies including building new deal structures and existing agreement renewal / renegotiation. Layer3 TV – The New Cable | 2015 –2018 | Denver, Colorado Corporate Vice President / Deputy General Counsel (Senior Director Content Partnerships until 2016) • Responsible for pursuing and securing content partnerships from broad spectrum of traditional and non- traditional content partners including over 300 cable networks, broadcasters, premiums and TVOD, AVOD, TVE and SVOD, and third-party OTT services such as Curiosity Stream, XUMO, Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube. • Developed and managed teams responsible for content acquisition, operational compliance, reporting and measurement and planning and tracking against goals, budgets, and deadlines. • Managed all rights restrictions, requirements and conditions related to market launches, post-deal rollouts, product development and ongoing operational, regulatory and compliance efforts. • Oversaw diligence and merger negotiations with T-Mobile including all content distribution matters. • Provided strategic and analytical guidance on all new content opportunities to support internal strategies, maintain enterprise alignment, and meet expectations regarding consumer welfare. • Designed deal structures and strategy for entire Layer3 TV content portfolio. • Identified and executed innovative tactics to successfully negotiate and leverage distribution rights to increase profitability, and decrease costs, of core video subscriptions and transactional purchases. • Fostered and maintained in-depth knowledge of competitive landscape and transformation resulting from changes in consumer viewing behaviors. DISH Network & Sling TV | Denver, Colorado | 2012 –2015 Corporate Counsel (Associate Corporate Counsel until 2014) • Responsible for advancing the strategic direction of satellite and OTT multi-channel video programming distribution, including the negotiation of programming agreements for traditional and new media rights and multi-platform initiatives leading to the launch of Sling TV in 2015. • Mastered an understanding of digital content distribution including platform design of distribution technologies, DRM/security, authentication, stream management, measurement, data and DAI. • Built and maintained strong relationships with technology companies and vendors to ensure the digital platform distribution realized maximum value. • Structured and negotiated strategic partnerships designed to advance linear and addressable advertising initiatives and drive revenues, including creation of D2 Media Sales, a DIRECTV-DISH joint venture in 2014, creating a scalable addressable TV platform for political advertisers. • Responsible for negotiation and drafting of content distribution agreements with over 300 DISH International partner accounts for direct broadcast satellite and DISH World IPTV distribution. • Developed, implemented, and refined strategies and processes designed to increase advertising sales revenue through existing partnerships and new business development. • Mastered an understanding of television advertising rights and operations including facilities-based and digital advertising systems, measurement technologies, data management, and exchanges. Page 2 of 2 (Lauren Wallace – 2019 CV) Other Experience Vail Valley Foundation | Vail, Colorado | 2011 –2012 Coordinator, Sponsorships and Operations Vail Resorts | Vail, Colorado | 2010 –2014 Professional Ski Instructor Venable LLP | Baltimore, Maryland/Washington, D.C. | 2008 –2010 Associate (previously Summer Associate 2007) Education Honors and Involvement Personal J.D., cum laude (2007) University of Baltimore B.S., Accounting (2005) University of Maryland • CTA: Board of Industry Leaders, Content & Entertainment Board • 2018 Cablefax Top Lawyer • Women’s Leadership Network • Content enthusiast • San serif fonts • Alternative cooking • Skiing, tennis, biking