Industry Leaders Brett Dedeaux and Mary Ricks Announced as Honorary Captains for the

NAIOP SoCal USC vs. UCLA Real Estate Challenge

Southern California (November 17, 2025) – For 2025, the honorary captains for the iconic NAIOP SoCal USC vs. UCLA Real Estate Challenge will be industry leaders Brett Dedeaux, Chief Executive and Managing Member of Dedeaux Properties, and Mary Ricks, former President, Kennedy Wilson.

Celebrating its 28^th year, the annual challenge pits a five-member graduate student team from the Ziman Center of Real Estate at UCLA’s Anderson School of Business against a five-member graduate student team from the Lusk Center at USC’s Marshall School of Business and Price School of Public Policy in a head-to-head battle to determine the highest and best use for a unique parcel of land in Southern California. Each of the captains will share inspiration and commentary for their respective teams at the event.

USC Honorary Captain Brett Dedeaux is Chief Executive and Managing Member of Dedeaux Properties, one of the most active developers of logistics real estate in Southern California and recognized as the 2023 Industrial Developer of the Year by NAIOP SoCal. Dedeaux also chairs the Rod Dedeaux Foundation, supporting youth baseball and softball. A USC graduate and former varsity tennis player, Dedeaux serves on the Advisory Board of the USC Lusk Real Estate Center and the USC Trojan Board of Directors. He is a resident of Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

UCLA Honorary Captain Mary Ricks began her leadership journey at UCLA, where she was a student-athlete and two-time national champion in softball. A founding board member of the Richard S. Ziman Center for Real Estate, Ricks retired in 2023 after 33 years at Kennedy Wilson, where she served as President and led global investment activities across the U.S., U.K., and Ireland. She previously founded and led Kennedy Wilson Europe, overseeing $15 billion in transactions for the leading global real estate investment company. Recognized by Bisnow, CBRE, and CREW for her industry leadership, Ricks’ career reflects excellence, innovation, and enduring Bruin pride.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brett and Mary to this year’s challenge. They have shaped the future of real estate and continue to inspire the next generation. For this reason, they both have so much to share with our students and attendees,” said Greg Brown, chair, NAIOP SoCal USC vs. UCLA Real Estate Challenge and Senior Managing Director and co-head of the Orange County office of JLL Capital Markets, Americas. “I look forward to this year’s event and hearing how the students will take on our latest compelling real estate challenge.”

The competition site, owned by Optimus Property Group, is a 2.85-acre site in the City of Pico Rivera, centrally located within the Gateway Cities submarket of Los Angeles County. The site is on Washington Boulevard, a major arterial road surrounded by industrial operations and neighborhood-serving commercial. The site’s location at the crossroads of several multimodal transportation networks positions it well for a variety of use options.

To claim victory, the winning student team must determine the highest and best use for the site and accrue the most points during written and oral presentations from the judging panel comprised of high-profile industry executives. The student teams will make their proposal presentations at the event on Thursday, November 20 at the USC Hotel. For tickets and information about the NAIOP SoCal Real Estate Challenge, visit the NAIOP SoCal website.



About NAIOP SoCal: NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is the leading organization for developers, owners and investors of office, industrial, retail and mixed-use real estate. In Southern California, the chapter’s mission is to provide advocacy, education, and networking opportunities that support the industry’s growth and success. At more than 1,200 members, NAIOP SoCal, to be recognized as CREDA in 2026, is dedicated to shaping the future of the commercial real estate industry across the region. Learn more at www.naiopsocal.org.