The Ascendant Team offers a unique blend of public/private real estate, infrastructure and development expertise:

Stephen Khovananth, CEO, leads Ascendant and provides consulting services for general and specialty trade construction contractors in the National Capital Region.  He was Director of Development, Design & Construction at Host Hotels & Resorts, a Fortune 500 Lodging REIT.  Mr. Khovananth also served in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps managing complex, mission critical projects & leading teams in the US and overseas.  He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Project Management Professional, Certified Construction Manager, and LEED AP (ID+C).  He holds a BS in Civil Engineering from California State University, Los Angeles, MBA from the University of Hawaii, and MS Real Estate from Johns Hopkins University. 

Michel Jichlinski is a Principal at Ascendant with over 30 years of experience in infrastructure development.  His expertise covers a broad spectrum, from the management of operations of AEC firms to the structuring of Infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships and the organization and management of complex programs and projects.  His technical know-how includes the planning, design, financing and construction of infrastructure and development projects in the United States, Western Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Sub Saharan Africa.  Mr. Jichlinski has provided advice to governments, companies, developers and financial institutions.  He is a member of the Board of Advisors of CG/LA Infrastructure and former President and COO of The Louis Berger Group, a global A/E firm.

Jon Hoovestal is a Principal at Ascendant.  He is the Owner and President of Affiliated Construction Group, an International Construction Company based in Helena, MT.  Mr. Hoovestal has over 30 years of experience in construction, rising from the position of Laborer through Project Management, Estimating, Scheduling and Program Management.  His work experience has taken him to facilities thoughout the US as well as countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Christina Avgerinos is a Partner at Ascendant.  She offers extensive global experience in the transport and aviation sectors in support of both public and private sector clients.  Her areas of expertise include demand forecasting, market assessment, master planning, feasibility and due diligence studies.  Ms. Avgerinos has successfully managed several large-scale and complex technical advisory assignments, including specialized bid support to private consortia pursuing airport development concessions in Brazil, India, Greece and Turkey.  She has also played a key role in master planning and due diligence studies for multi-airport systems in Mexico, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Most recently she is managing a feasibility study for the development of a new cargo airport in northeastern Brazil. Prior to joining Ascendant, Ms. Avgerinos was a Management Associate at The Louis Berger Group, where she was responsible for managing global projects for the firm's international aviation practice. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy from The George Washington University and is a member of the Transportation Research Board.

Isaac Shafran led or served as Adviser or Principal in Charge on more than 120 airport and port projects.  He has over 40 years of experience working on airport and port planning and development projects in all regions of the world for both public and private sector-operated ports and airports, including airport/port authorities, concessionaires, governments and financial institutions.  His areas of expertise include airport and port planning, program management, marketing, privatization, concession structuring, due diligence and infrastructure development projects.  He has held various positions with the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Port of Baltimore and the Baltimore-Washington International Airport.