Mr. Ernest E. Bleinberger
Principal
Strategy 5 Consulting LLC
Mr. Ernest E. Bleinberger is the founder and Principal of Strategy 5 Consulting LLC, a boutique urban economics consulting firm that provides professional services to a nation-wide client base. The firm has broad experience in applied economic development, economic and fiscal impact analysis, tax increment financing, cash flow analysis, forecasting, strategic planning, real estate development, downtown revitalization, and other aspects of the economics discipline.
During his three decades in the urban economics field, Mr. Bleinberger has led important projects in more than three hundred cities and towns throughout North America. These projects have involved complex financial feasibility analyses, market analyses, conceptual development programs, pragmatic funding and finance strategies, and other original research and analysis for a wide variety of assignments. He leads large multi-disciplinary teams that include architects, engineers, planners, environmentalists, consulting historians and other specialists. The firm’s success stories include projects across sectors, including but not limited to:
- Housing, including affordable, market-rate, multi-family, and mixed-use.
- Arts and culture, including theaters, museums, performing arts and visual arts centers.
- Hospitality and lodging, including hotels and conference centers.
- Commercial, including office, light industrial, and advanced manufacturing.
- Retail, including e-commerce, restaurants, entertainment, and local service providers.
- Aviation, including airport landside development, and innovation campus projects.
- Historic building restoration, redevelopment, and adaptive reuse.
The firm’s practice embodies the principal’s philosophy of employing a holistic approach to economic analysis and planning. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between land use, market dynamics, feasibility, funding and finance, and an emphasis on implementation, have contributed to the firm’s reputation for achieving results. In addition, the firm’s recognition of sincere public engagement and policy support as important elements of success have made the firm a valued professional partner.
Strategy 5 Consulting LLC is a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the American Planning Association, the Consulting Planners of Massachusetts, the Urban Land Institute, the International Economic Development Council, the International Downtown Association, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and various other state and local economic development and professional organizations. Mr. Bleinberger received a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Maryland in 1976.
Mr. Alexander Sousa
Associate
Strategy 5 Consulting LLC
Alexander Sousa brings a background in economics, quantitative research, economic modeling, and community focused leadership to Strategy 5 Consulting LLC. His interests include urban and regional economic development, housing, transportation, energy policy, real estate markets, and the use of data to support practical planning and investment decisions. His work contributes to the firm’s holistic approach by connecting economic analysis, market research, public policy, and implementation strategy.
Alexander graduated from Tufts University with bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Romance Studies, with concentrations in Spanish and Portuguese. His academic research examined issues such as public transportation, pedestrian infrastructure, airport siting and development, and traffic calming. He also studied abroad in Seville and Barcelona, strengthening his language skills and ability to work across different cultural settings.
As an Economic Assistant Intern at Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI), Alexander gained skills in economic impact analysis with the suite of REMI analysis tools, particularly REMI’s energy model, E3+. With this knowledge, he frequently spoke with federal, state, and regional organizations to identify needs for economic impact analysis. Utilizing these skills, he researched changes to federal renewable energy tax credits and presented his findings to an audience of energy professionals and stakeholders in a webinar titled “IRA Tax Credit Reductions: Economic Impacts using REMI-AI.”
Alongside his analytical experience, Alexander served as a director of a municipal summer program and volunteered with the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers. His combination of economic training, research experience, language ability, and interest in community development positions him to support Strategy 5’s project work and client engagement.
Ms. Fallon Rowe
Associate
Strategy 5 Consulting LLC
Ms. Fallon Rowe is an experienced Strategy 5 Consulting Associate, having worked on important projects with the firm since 2020. Ms. Rowe’s role encompasses a range of applied experience and skills, including leading the firm’s emerging technology assessments, digital visualization, computer graphic development, artificial intelligence, social media, GIS data analysis, technical writing, and more. Based in St. George, Utah, Ms. Rowe is geographically well positioned to represent the firm in its work throughout the intermountain west and southwest regions of the country.
Ms. Rowe’s diverse professional and personal background spans a wide variety of interests and fields. She earned a Geology B.S. from Utah State University in 2019, where she worked in a geoscience lab and contributed to peer-reviewed published research. She taught high school science, including courses in earth science, geology, physics, math, computer science/artificial intelligence, and chemistry.
After working in a GIS and remote sensing lab, she branched out to start a custom cartography and GIS business called Apex Maps Co., where she created maps and other spatial products. Her broad background in the sciences gives her a unique foundation to tackle research and other analytical problems.
Beyond academia, Ms. Rowe is a successful professional rock climber, with support from multiple brands. She has climbed since 2003, and coached climbing since 2013. She owns Sage Sending LLC, a coaching business with a focus on mindset, mental performance, and physical training. She teaches clinics and guides climbing throughout the West. She is the Vice President of the St George Climbers Coalition, a community nonprofit. As an athlete, coach, guide, community leader, and business owner, Ms. Rowe has acquired a helpful skillset with social media, performance psychology, marketing, nonprofit management, and networking.
Additionally, her writing has been featured in a number of outdoor industry publications, including Climbing Magazine. Her first book, a memoir titled Pay No Mind, was published in 2025 by Di Angelo Publications, and she is already working on future book projects.