Hear directly from the developer and the EB5LA team as they discuss the vision, development progress, and key features of this Rural EB-5 project.
Description
What does it take to bring a Waldorf Astoria to the Texas Hill Country, and why was this location selected for the development? Join developer Mark Harmon, alongside Braxton Bartlett and Claudia Ortega from EB5LA, for an overview of a Rural EB-5 project currently under development.
The project has received I-956F approval, and civil construction activities are underway, including grading work for villa areas, estate lots, and roadway infrastructure. Fredericksburg was recently recognized by Booking.com as the Most Welcoming Destination in the United States, based on verified guest reviews, providing additional context on the area’s tourism appeal.
Mark will discuss the project’s development vision, location selection, and overall strategy, while Braxton and Claudia will provide information about the project’s EB-5 structure and investor considerations.
What We’ll Cover
- Live Q&A with Mark Harmon, Braxton Bartlett, and Claudia Ortega.
- Rural TEA designation and an overview of the EB-5 program framework
- Information regarding priority processing provisions under current EB-5 regulations
- Why Fredericksburg and the Texas Hill Country were selected for this development
- The region’s tourism profile, including wine country, outdoor recreation, and visitor demand drivers
- Construction progress and current development milestones
- The project’s planned scope, including 60 hotel keys, 37 branded resort villas, 50 residential estates, and Waldorf Astoria operations under Hilton
Who Should Attend
Individuals interested in learning more about Rural EB-5 projects, the EB-5 immigration process, and hospitality developments in the United States.
Important: This presentation is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, tax, or immigration advice. Any investment decision should be made only after reviewing the applicable offering documents and consulting with your own professional advisors.
Webinar date: June 26 at 9 a.m. PST
Panelist:
- Claudia I. Ortega of EB5LA
- Mark Harmon
- Braxton Barlett
Bios
Claudia I. Ortega is a seasoned real estate and investment professional with more than 20 years of experience spanning residential and commercial real estate, mortgage lending, investor advisory, and strategic market positioning. Her career has been deeply rooted in guiding sophisticated buyers, sellers, and business owners through complex real estate transactions, capital structuring, and market-driven decision-making across multiple U.S. markets.
As a licensed real estate broker and former mortgage company owner, Ortega has overseen transactions involving residential portfolios, commercial properties, and development-oriented assets, with a strong command of underwriting standards, capital stacks, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation. Her background includes structuring and reviewing conventional, government-backed, and alternative financing solutions, experience that aligns directly with the financial and asset-backed fundamentals of EB-5 investment projects.
Ortega is also recognized for her leadership in public policy advocacy and consumer protection. She has actively participated in congressional meetings in Washington, D.C., lobbying for consumer rights in housing and lending, and working alongside federal agencies, financial institutions, and elected officials to advance responsible homeownership and transparency in real estate finance. This policy-facing experience provides her with a nuanced understanding of regulatory frameworks and investor protections which are critical components of the EB-5 ecosystem.
Ortega has led large-scale public education initiatives and media campaigns, serving as a spokesperson across television, radio, print, and digital platforms. She is known for her ability to translate complex financial and real estate concepts into clear, investor-focused narratives, bridging the gap between technical detail and strategic vision.
Braxton Bartlett is a former collegiate and professional basketball player turned real-estate investor, developer, and operator. He founded Paladin Capital, a development and management fund focused on residential assets with over 30 million in assets under management. He serves as managing partner of The Bartlett & Waskas Group, a growing commercial real-estate fund. A recent addition to EB5 Lending Alliance Sales team, Bartlett brings practical, on-the-ground real-estate experience to the EB-5 arena. His style pairs disciplined underwriting and crisp execution with brand-conscious operations—powered by a competitor’s drive and a team-first mindset shaped by high-level athletics. Bartlett concentrates on resilient, cash-flowing properties and long-term partnerships with lenders, operators, and investors both domestically and abroad. Across both residential and commercial projects. For the EB5 world he works in deal analysis, sales, and overall project fluidity.
Mark Harmon is the Founder of Auberge Resorts Collection. He formed Auberge in 1998 with the same vision that inspires him today: to build a best-in-class collection of one-of-a-kind resorts, hotels and residences in exceptional places.
Under Mark’s direction, Auberge Resorts Collection became recognized as one of the top 5 hotel brands in the world with an international portfolio of unique hotels, resorts and residences that have garnered numerous awards and accolades for their character and memorable experiences.
As Founder and CEO of Auberge from 1998 to 2014, Mark played an integral role in the design and development process- from the initial concept to opening- with the goal of creating places that connect people to spectacular natural settings and to one another.
Each Auberge property shares a crafted approach to luxury that is expressed through captivating design, exceptional cuisine and spas, a spirit of adventure and romance, and gracious yet unobtrusive service.
In 2018, Mark sold the management company, Auberge Resorts Collection. Today, Mark focuses on new resort development opportunities and oversees the family owned Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley, California.
Mark also currently acts as the Chairman of Private Label Collection, a Hawaii based development and hospitality management company that manages the acclaimed Hotel Wailea, Hawaii’s only Relais & Chateaux property, on Maui.
Prior to forming Auberge Resorts, Mark was a partner in a real estate company which acquired and developed a diverse portfolio of commercial, residential and retail properties in Northern California.
Mark began his career as a business lawyer at a prominent San Francisco law firm and is a graduate of Princeton University and The University of California, Hastings College of the Law.