Why Us?

We are agile. Our flexibility allows us to adapt to inevitable changing project needs, while minimizing impacts to fee and schedule. Above all, we aim not only to do things right, but to do the right things.

We are rigorous. We employ analytical rigor to ensure that recommended policy actions and deals are implementable and can withstand the highest levels of scrutiny.

We package data into stories. We explain and narrate your project to your audience, public officials or C-Suite leaders through visually oriented, data-driven storytelling.

We know how to implement. Success remains 99 percent perspiration. We have advanced projects in large public agencies, and know what it takes to get projects approved and implemented.

We build relationships based on TRUST and RESULTS!

Rick Liu

Principal and Founder

Rick Liu is the principal and founder of RYL Economic Strategies. He has 15+ years in the planning and real estate development field, with a particular focus on serving as a “bridge” between government and private sector to leverage privately built projects for the public interest.

Rick has spent his career working in economics and real estate for Federal, State, and local government agencies. Prior to launching RYL Economic Strategies, Rick led and managed joint development and lease execution for Metro, the Washington region’s transit agency. At Metro, he led the team that closed a $50M transaction that would create the largest community solar project in Washington region. Previously, he was the Director of Economic Analysis to the Montgomery County Planning Department, where he provided real estate subject matter expertise to elected officials to obtain plan approvals representing potentially $500M+ in economic development. He also has Federal knowledge from managing housing assets under the U.S. Army’s Privatized Housing Initiative (MHPI) – the largest public-private partnership in the U.S. Government. Rick has deep knowledge of government’s methods of engaging the private real estate industry, and navigating the complexities of project and policy execution from beginning to end.

Professional Activities

Rick Liu is a frequent speaker at local and national conferences about real estate development & planning policy, and has guest lectured at colleges and universities on markets and development finance. He is active in the American Planning Association, and has served on committees at the U.S. Green Building Council and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) on how to create more prosperous, sustainable, and equitable growth.

Certifications

• American Institute of Certified Planners

• LEED Accredited Professional

• Project Management Professional

To view more about Rick’s experience visit his LinkedIn:

“Rick exhibited strong leadership on our transaction team, which enabled us to close the deal less than one year after the [Solar RFP] was issued ….[as project manager] he deftly navigated the myriad constituents of WMATA to constantly keep the project moving…. I highly recommend Rick for real estate deal transactions and development management activities.”

— Bryan Thomas, Vice President, JLL

“Rick has a breath of knowledge of the intersection of planning policy, finance, and economics… producing analysis and recommendations that are insightful and open paths for well-considered decision making….”

— Roberto Ruiz, Research & Special Projects Manager, Montgomery County Planning Department

“Rick has an eye to understanding the client’s expectations first…. He has great foresight and the vision required to anticipate and proactively reduce potential risk factors to most projects. I highly recommend Rick to other potential employers and clients.”

— Thomas Elwood, Director of Capital Asset Management, Government Services IPT