Strategic Capital Partners, LLC (SCP), which in June 2008 announced the formation of the Strategic Partners Urban Development Group to invest in underserved urban communities across the country, has named Mike Higbee as Managing Director of the Group.

"Mike is an experienced urban planner and developer who has outstanding community building skills, understands the process extremely well, and has designed and developed numerous urban projects," said Gene Zink, CEO of SCP.  "His leadership will help the Group realize its goal of 'triple bottom line investing' - to invest for a return on investment, to serve a positive community purpose, and do so in an environmentally conscious way."

Higbee founded Development Concepts, Inc. (DCI) in 1991.  As Principal-In-Charge, he worked directly with both private and public sector entities to encourage planning and development efforts consistent with community goals and objectives.  He worked with groups at all points in the process, from defining a potential development concept through actual project implementation.  Higbee also led DCI's development services division, assembling and supervising teams of professional service providers.

Prior to forming DCI, Higbee served as Director of Metropolitan Development, one of six departments within the Indianapolis-Marion County consolidated government.  During his tenure, he was responsible for the City's economic development and affordable housing initiatives, and was the City's liaison for several premier redevelopment projects including Circle Centre Mall, the United Airlines MOC II facility, and the Canal Walk Redevelopment project.

"I am pleased to be named Managing Director of the Strategic Partners Urban Development Group," said Higbee.  "I look forward to helping identify, invest in, develop and revitalize urban communities nationwide and make a measurable, positive impact for these neighborhoods, the residents and the environment."

Formed in 2005, SCP, via its Strategic Partners Value Enhancement Fund (a discretionary real estate investment fund), has already invested more than $1 billion in total capital.  With more than 50 years of real estate investing experience, and having invested more than $20 billion, SCP's team of veterans has hands-on, cycle-tested investment management experience in acquiring, repositioning, managing, operating, financing, disposing of and structuring real estate investments in virtually every asset type and in virtually every market in the U.S. market.

Strategic Capital Partners, LLC is a privately-held, real estate investment management firm that employs a value-added investment strategy of acquiring commercial and multi-family properties via joint ventures with experienced real estate operators.  SCP is focused on properties across the United States that can be repositioned, re-leased and/or redeveloped.  The Company is headquartered in Chicago with offices in Indianapolis and New York.