MEET OUR TEAM

Anthony E. Graves is the Principal of GRAVES CIVIC SOLUTIONS (GRAVES), a private consulting practice that delivers public affairs, community and economic development solutions that catalyze real estate projects, business ventures, and civic initiatives.

An economic development and public affairs executive, Graves has more than 20 years of experience creating strategies to help organizations enhance their relationships with critical stakeholders, build a positive community brand, and advance economic growth. An exceptional facilitator recognized across different sectors for his ability to bring diverse audiences together, he helps resolve complicated issues and strategize about emerging trends in the marketplace and the potential of the built environment. He is a conduit between corporations, local, state and federal governments, higher ed institutions, and non-profit organizations.

Graves is the former Managing Director of Partnerships and Innovation for the University of Colorado Denver where he oversaw real estate, innovation and partnership strategy for the university as a Cabinet official. During his tenure, he created a vision and proposal for the development of an open innovation district in downtown Denver that was designed to spark new companies, create public-private partnerships, advance tech-savvy workforce development strategies, and drive social impact. He also brokered partnerships with Apple, Denver International Airport, Outside Interactive, Inc and cultivated nearly $5M in federal funding and private sponsorship - advancing issues like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and entrepreneurial Ecosystems.

Prior to his service as a Cabinet official for the university, Anthony spent seven years as a mayoral appointed executive in the City and County of Denver, covering regional affairs for the mayor and external affairs for the economic development agency. In those roles, he managed high-value economic relationships and brokered agreements with neighboring jurisdictions. He was part of the team that helped to expand Denver International Airport and lay the groundwork for the National Western Center development in Denver and served on the boards of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) and the Metro Mayors Caucus.

Before his leadership roles in city government, Anthony was an accomplished public affairs executive for Denver’s tourism industry where he crafted strategies to grow state tourism funding. He has provided counsel on public engagement strategies for global events like Denver’s bids for the 2026/2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the 2026 World Cup.

Committed to civic engagement and good governance, Graves has more than two decades of board experience serving non-profit boards; and an advisory board for a publicly traded company. He has served on numerous board committees, including Finance and Audit, Nominating and Governance,Compensation, Executive Search, and Executive. Most recently, Anthony was appointed to the Mayoral Transition Committee for Denver International Airport, the largest economic engine in the region; and he joined the national Advisory Board for Huntington Bank in 2023.

Anthony earned an International MBA from the University of Denver, a BA in History from DePauw University and a Certificate in Economic Development from the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute (OU EDI). He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), and previously served on the University Development and Innovation Product Council, and as a visiting consultant for ULI’s Advisory Services program. Early in his career, Anthony was honored as; a Ron Brown Fellow by the U.S. Department of Commerce, a Marshall Memorial Fellow sponsored by the German Marshall Fund of the United States and received the Community Service Award and Alumni Wall of Honor bestowed by the Chancellor at the University of Denver.

Anthony, his wife Sakari and their middle-school-aged daughter Kinley enjoy reading together, running 5K’s and participating in family game nights.

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Jack Wylie Director, State & Local Affairs
Jack Wylie is a public affairs professional with more than 20 years of experience helping people understand and navigate state and local government agencies, the legislature, and higher education and consulting for both nonprofit and corporate clients.

Jack is the former Government and Community Affairs Officer of the Denver Department of Housing Stability where he supported engagement with the City Council, other agencies, and the public on the department’s work to respond to and address homelessness and promote the expansion of affordable housing.

Prior to his time in city government, Wylie worked for nearly a decade across two administrations as the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration’s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Legislative Liaison. In this role he served as the primary point of contact for legislators and the public on all policy matters related to the department’s statewide functions across a wide range of technical areas including human resources, procurement, accounting, risk management, grants, state buildings, fleet vehicles, administrative courts, state archives, printing and mail, labor relations, and statewide budget policy. During his tenure, Wylie led multiple high-profile initiatives including the first update to the Procurement Code since its initial adoption more than 30 years prior.

Before this, Jack served as a legislative staffer in various communications and policy roles for Senate President Brandon Shaffer including managing caucus social media and websites, drafting press communications and coordinating media events, monitoring a large portfolio of legislation, and staffing key legislators on priority legislation and policy issues.

As a student, Jack participated in campus advocacy and co-founded and lobbied on behalf of the Associated Students of Colorado where he advocated for students of public higher education in Colorado before the state legislature.

Jack earned a BA in Political Science from Metropolitan State University of Denver. He is a seventh-generation of Arvada, Colorado, and he lives with his wife, Lisette, and their french bulldog, Hodor, in Denver.

Brandon T. Gilchrist Consultant | Urban Planning & Design

Brandon T. Gilchrist is a forward-thinking urban planner and designer dedicated to creating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban environments. He holds dual master’s degrees in Urban Design and Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado Denver, along with a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Policy and Management. Brandon also holds multiple professional certifications, including LEED Green Associate, Certified Environmentalist, Certified Smart City Professional, and Project Management.

Currently serving as a Long Range Planner I for the City of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Brandon works closely with developers, architects, and community stakeholders to shape policies, guide zoning and land use decisions, and advance innovative planning solutions. His background includes experience in municipal planning, project management, transportation demand management, community engagement, and historic preservation.

Brandon’s portfolio reflects a global and diverse perspective, shaped by academic studio projects in locations such as Mexico City, Barcelona, and Denver, as well as professional roles in both the public and private sectors. His skill set spans GIS mapping and analysis, 3D modeling, graphic design, and public engagement strategies, enabling him to communicate complex planning concepts with clarity and creativity.

With a strong foundation in planning theory, technical expertise, and community-focused leadership, Brandon is committed to shaping cities that are vibrant, equitable, and prepared for the challenges of the future.

Marsha H. Barancik | Strategic Communications Expert

Marsha H. Barancik is an expert in strategic communications with deep experience in global corporate and government affairs. She develops and executes integrated strategies that help organizations navigate complex challenges — from energy transition and climate change to housing, social justice, and defense. Her work spans high-profile initiatives for clients such as the U.S. Air Force, Johnson & Johnson, and she has advised innovation accelerators, NGOs, and Fortune 500 companies on stakeholder engagement and reputation management. A former journalist turned strategist, Marsha has shaped communications at the highest levels, contributing to thought leadership at the World Economic Forum, United Nations, and Aspen Institute. She has held senior affairs roles at ManpowerGroup, Kraft Foods, United Airlines, and KPMG. Marsha earned a BS in Journalism from Boston University.

Leabre McNeal | Master of Business Administration

Leabre McNeal, MBA, is a seasoned logistics and supply chain professional with over a decade of progressive experience in distribution, transportation, and supply chain optimization across leading organizations including FedEx, Staples, Sysco Foods, and PepsiCo. He also has experience as the Director of Distribution for the Salvation Army’s Mountain Division, where he drove operational excellence by streamlining procurement, implementing standardized processes, and optimizing warehouse efficiency. Alongside his corporate career, he has dedicated five years as a CTE business professor and adjunct faculty at Front Range Community College, mentoring and preparing the next generation of supply chain leaders. With expertise spanning strategic planning, transportation management, and team development, Leabre is recognized as a coach and mentor committed to fostering both organizational and individual growth. LEABRE MCNEAL SR. CONSULTANT, PROCESS IMPROVEMENT & LOGISTICS He holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Supply Chain Management from Clark Atlanta University and an MBA in Organizational Leadership from Adams State University. In his spare time, he gives back to his community by coaching high school football.

Devin Mason | AICP, Sr Consultant, Urban & Mobility Planning

Devin Mason is an urban planning professional with nearly a decade of experience in supporting the creation of sustainable, vibrant places. Most recently, Devin was an Associate City Planner for the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), where he co-led the city’s Shared Bike and Scooter Program and led city involvement in events intended to encourage the use of transportation modes other than driving (such as Bike to Work Day). Devin also co-led the city’s redesign of York Street between East 17th Avenue and East 40th Avenue, a project aimed at making the street safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

Before his work with the City and County of Denver, Devin spent several years as a Transit Planner for the Green Mountain Transit Authority (doing business as Green Mountain Transit) in Vermont, where he managed the agency’s ridership data for accuracy and completeness and led the agency’s effort to procure Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) consulting services. During his time at Green Mountain Transit, Devin also led the agency’s stop audit, an effort to assess bus stops for matters such as maintenance and accessibility as the basis for developing capital improvement plans.

Devin is also certified through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and, aside from researching urban planning topics for fun, uses Certification Maintenance courses as one of many ways to remain informed about current planning practices.

For grad school, Devin obtained a Master of Regional Planning from the University at Albany – SUNY in Albany, New York. At UAlbany, his research focus was improving passenger rail service without significant additional financial investment (recognizing the sometimes-volatile nature of transit funding in the U.S.).

Prior to studying at UAlbany, Devin earned a Bachelor of Sustainability from Goddard College, where he studied topics such as reducing food waste, improving energy efficiency, and building more sustainable housing. For his capstone project, he converted a used shipping container into a house.

Tiwatayo “Tiwa” Akinboro | Sr Consultant, Transportation Analysis, Multimodel Design & Landscape Architecture

Tiwatayo “Tiwa” Akinboro is a transportation-focused civil engineer with a strong foundation in transportation engineering, roadway design, and multimodal operations, supported by over three years of professional experience across transportation, land development, and infrastructure design. He is currently completing a Master of Engineering in Transportation Engineering at the University of Arizona, building on prior degrees in Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture.

Tiwa has hands-on experience supporting multimodal corridor studies, traffic operations and signal optimization, roadway performance evaluation, and complete streets assessments. His technical background includes traffic data analysis, safety evaluations, access management, and level-of-service analysis, as well as roadway alignment, grading, drainage design, and hydrologic and hydraulic modeling in accordance with state and municipal standards.

Bringing a multidisciplinary perspective, Tiwa integrates transportation analysis with context-sensitive and people-centered design principles, considering pedestrian comfort, streetscape quality, and environmental context alongside operational efficiency. He is proficient in tools such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS/QGIS, R, Python, HEC-RAS, HY-8, VISSIM, and Vistro, using data-driven methods to inform planning and engineering decisions.

With experience working across academic research, consulting engineering, and land development environments, Tiwa is motivated to contribute to transportation solutions that improve safety, accessibility, and system performance while enhancing the public realm and overall quality of life.

Jordan Aguilar | Sr Consultant, Project Management & Development

Jordan Aguilar is a project and development leader with broad experience delivering complex capital projects across commercial, industrial, data center, and modular manufacturing environments. He has successfully led owner-side and design-build programs involving mission-critical infrastructure, large-scale utility coordination, and fast-track delivery, including multi-phase developments and high-density tenant improvements. Jordan brings a collaborative approach shaped by extensive work with municipal building departments, utilities, and regulatory agencies, ensuring projects advance with schedule certainty while aligning with community standards and local requirements. He is experienced in stakeholder engagement at both the executive and community levels and is recognized for integrating technical rigor, risk management, and operational readiness into every phase of delivery. Beyond project execution, Jordan is committed to community involvement and volunteerism, reflecting a leadership style grounded in accountability, transparency, and long-term value creation.

B.S. Civil Engineering - University of Colorado, Boulder

MBA - University of Colorado, Denver - Expected graduation March 2026

Engineer in Training designation - EIT

Tyanna Fox | Consultant, Sustainability & Social Impact

Tyanna N. Fox is a climate science and sustainability professional and recent Summa Cum Laude graduate from Oregon State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on environmental and climate studies.

Passionate about applying scientific understanding to real-world sustainability challenges, Tyanna has engaged in research and practical projects that address environmental resilience, climate adaptation, and sustainable solutions. Based in Parker, Colorado, she combines academic excellence with hands-on experience and a commitment to advancing climate science through community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based approaches

Sakari Graves, Back-Office Operations

Sakari is a results-driven professional with extensive expertise in global clinical research project management, encompassing lifecycle oversight, stakeholder coordination, and process optimization. With a proven track record in managing multidisciplinary teams and ensuring data integrity, she excels at strategic planning, recruitment, and community outreach while consistently delivering projects within scope, time, and budget. Sakari is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Five Points, holds a B.A. in Journalism from Metropolitan State University, a Project Management Certificate from Cornell University, and is a Licensed Broker Associate.

OUR Partnerships

At Graves Civic Solutions, we bring together a trusted network of professional partners to provide a full-service experience tailored to our economic development and public affairs offerings. From real estate finance, special districts, and P3s to architecture, urban planning, and general contracting—alongside comprehensive marketing, PR, and government relations support—our integrated approach serves as a powerful force multiplier. We deliver customized solutions that streamline execution, enhance impact, and maximize value for every client.