​How did you start in the real estate industry?
I started my engineering career in public works, focused on utilities and roadway design. When I moved to Austin in 2012 I took a job at Bury and got my start working on private residential and commercial real estate projects. 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a professional?
Time management. Being a consultant and leading a large office requires me to constantly be in meetings internally and externally. Finding the time to get it all done takes careful planning and a strong team behind me. 

Who is your mentor?
I have been fortunate to have many great mentors over the years. One mentor who had a particularly significant impact on my success within our organization was Nelson Crowe, my RECA LDC mentor. He provided invaluable guidance on how to get meaningfully involved and make a lasting impact, for which I am truly grateful.

What is the best professional development advice you've received?
The key to building a successful practice is investing in your people. 

What other organizations or community interests are important to you?
As an avid outdoorsman, protecting our hill country rivers and streams is very important to me. Supporting organizations like the Hill Country Alliance and my local Trout Unlimited Club is a high priority for me, as they play a vital role in conservation efforts and preserving our natural resources. 

How has RECA impacted you as a professional?
RECA has been instrumental in my professional growth by helping me build lasting and meaningful relationships within the industry. The connections I’ve made through the organization have not only expanded my network but have also fostered collaborations that have shaped my career. Additionally, RECA has provided a platform for me to focus on my passion for local politics and improving the city we live in.​

As this year's RECA Board Chair, what are your goals for RECA and for ATX?
As this year's RECA Board Chair, my primary goal is to further strengthen RECA’s relationship with City Council and city leadership. By working collaboratively, we can continue to improve Austin’s development process and advance our shared goals of making the city more affordable, accessible, and safe. Through partnership and advocacy, RECA can play a vital role in shaping policies that foster sustainable growth and enhance the quality of life for Austinites.

How did you start in the real estate industry?
​I started my career as a retail/office leasing broker and underwriting analyst. One of the benefits of starting with a small firm is that I got to wear many hats, and therefore got a good understanding of which parts of the business I enjoyed and suited my skillset. 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a professional?
Work-life balance. My job has the wonderful benefit of being flexible, but that comes with unusual hours and a blurring of lines between work and home. Overall, I think it’s a great trade-off that works well with my personality. 
Who is your mentor?
I have been fortunate to be mentored by many industry professionals in my career that I don't consider having just one. 

What is the best professional development advice you've received?
Be curious. It’s amazing how many interesting people live in this city if you’re willing to just ask questions. 

What other organizations or community interests are important to you?
I think people miss how influential local politics is on their day-to-day life. For that reason, I try to stay connected to our local elected officials  and the policies that affect our community. 

How has RECA impacted you as a professional?
RECA has been incredibly influential in my professional development. It’s been the organization that introduced me to a number of my mentors and friends, and has also been the conduit that has allowed me to express my passion to see Austin become the best city in the world. ​

As this year's RECA Board Chair, what are your goals for RECA and for ATX?
My hope is that RECA continues to gain influence and recognition as an organization, full of talented, well-meaning, individuals with the sole goal of making Austin, Texas the best city it can possibly be. 

​How did you get started in the real estate industry?
I originally began my real estate career during high school, where I provided marketing support for a local, top-producing agent. It was then that I fell in love with the industry, learning all of the ins and outs of helping people buy, sell and invest in real estate. Shortly after graduating, I went on to work alongside Nicole Marburger, and under her mentorship, found my way to becoming a full-time agent for Legacy Real Estate Group. I love the opportunity to combine my passion for architectural design and second-to-none customer service skills to help clients find the perfect home or investment. 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a professional?
Although I'm incredibly fortunate to have started my journey at a young age, I'd say my biggest challenge in the professional world stems from my lack of years and the assumptions that go along with it. Don't get me wrong, being a young professional isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, I've stumbled upon an unexpected hurdle – the way people sometimes perceive me and my work, and the experience I've gained since starting out. Nevertheless, I am thankful for my colleagues who've put me in situations that remind me that just because I'm the youngest in the room, does not mean I'm the least capable.

Who is your mentor?
I was fortunate enough to have started my career working for Nicole Marburger. Working in residential real estate, your personal and professional life is constantly intertwining, and it has been immensely rewarding to gain advice from someone who balances those two so beautifully. I am extremely lucky to have a mentor who I can go to for advice regarding any aspect of life, and knowing I can expect a reasonable and mindful response. 

What's the best professional development advice you've received lately?
The best advice I have received, and continue to remember, is that if you “put in the work, the work will take care of you”. It is so easy to fall into a spiral of prioritizing tasks that will provide the quickest gratification, and during those times I have to remind myself that a work model like that is not sustainable in an industry like this. 

Where's your favorite spot to have a business meeting?
If you know me, or anyone on our team, then you know Swedish Hill is the only place I will suggest. With a great location, great food, great ambiance, and the best company, there is no way you can go wrong with a simple meeting there. I love inviting clients and fellow RECA members to Swedish Hill for its upscale casual atmosphere where it feels more like a friendly conversation and less of a meeting. On the other hand, if we are pitching a large development deal, then I am reserving the private dining room at the Peacock within the Austin Proper Hotel. I love the ambiance, privacy, and great Mediterranean food!

Name 3 artists in your phone?
My top artists are always changing, however, Spotify says Grimes, Greta Van Fleet, and Lady Gaga are my top picks this year! 

What's your biggest guilty pleasure?
I don't usually feel guilty about things I enjoy, and I hate the idea of "guilty pleasures". That said, Whataburgers Avocado Bacon Burger is one of the best-tasting late-night meals I will ever have, and that is all I will say!

What other organizations or community interests are important to you?
I am heavily involved in the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (DANA), as I am a huge supporter of urban growth and connectivity. I often attend board meetings, and development updates/pitches, and have recently joined the social committee. Whether you are a fan of new development or prefer to keep things classic, it is important to ensure Austin has thoughtful and sustainable growth for generations to come. ​
​
What's your favorite thing about RECA?
What stands out for me about RECA is the deep engagement of its members and the opportunities it offers to promote active participation and connect with individuals who share similar outlooks. My experience with RECA has been nothing short of extraordinary in creating meaningful connections with a network of individuals who have enriched my life in unparalleled ways.

How did you get started in the real estate industry?
I began my career as a real estate attorney when I joined Musgrove Law Firm, P.C. in Dallas as an associate in 2013. I got great experience early on working on a variety of corporate, commercial and general real estate transactions with clients across various industries. My practice now is entirely focused on real estate transactions and I enjoying working with homebuilders, developers and other clients looking to acquire or dispose of real estate assets. 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a professional?
It's hard to complain about the quantity and quality of work, given the terrific real estate market in DFW and Central Texas over the last decade. My biggest professional challenge has been juggling my workload with needs of two young children (ages 1 and 3), so I am grateful to have an extremely helpful spouse (with an equally crazy work schedule) and a supportive, flexible company culture at Jackson Walker, allowing me to be a great lawyer and a great father. 

Who is your mentor?
Len Musgrove, my first boss, taught me a lot of what it takes to be an effective lawyer and how to take care of clients. I still learn new things from my colleague Cassie Ross, a partner at Jackson Walker, who I believe to be one of the best real estate attorneys in Texas. 

What's the best professional development advice you've received lately?
The best piece of career advice I ever received was "earn their trust." Whether it's a client, a coworker, or a senior law partner. Once you have earned someone's trust, new opportunities will come your way. 

Where's your favorite spot to have a business meeting?
Over some barbecue and a cold beer at Lambert's. 

Name 3 artists in your phone?
I honestly haven't checked lately. My kids are always watching Cocomelon or some other Youtube thing on my phone. 

What's your biggest guilty pleasure?
Ice cream. I only buy the bars for my kids now because if I buy the container, I'll eat the whole thing. 

What other organizations or community interests are important to you?
I moved from Dallas to Austin relatively recently and am still in the process of getting involved here. I am active in the Austin chapters of Texas A&M University Alumni as well as Texas Tech School of Law Alumni. 
​
What's your favorite thing about RECA?
Networking with professionals in my industry. I think this yields the best results rather than a more "general" professional association. That and the variety of ways to get involved with a great group of people. 

How did you start in the real estate industry?
​I was raised around the real estate industry in Austin. I was lucky enough to intern at Endeavor Real Estate Group while in College at UT. Following school, I took at job at Endeavor doing retail leasing. 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a professional?
I would say some of the greatest challenges in my career currently center around owning and growing our business. I never appreciated or understood how challenging hiring a strong team and fostering growth and improvement inside a team was. 
Who is your mentor?
I have been fortunate enough to be mentored by many industry professionals in my career. I would consider my father, Steve Drenner to be one for sure! I was also very lucky to work for Brian Lent early in my career at Endeavor. Brian is still someone I fortunate to call a friend and mentor. He has been a consistent presence in my career.

What is the best professional development advice you've received?
During a time of transition in my career Steve Leblanc gave me great advise. He challenged me to vision where I wanted to be in 20 years personally, not necessarily what I wanted to be doing in real estate. This helped me filter out what was important to me. 

What other organizations or community interests are important to you?
My wife and I are deacons at The Austin Stone Community Church. I also enjoy coaching my sons in sports. We love to support some organizations that do great things in our community like Austin Achieve Public Schools and KLRU.

How has RECA impacted you as a professional?
RECA has been a consistent presence in my career and my involvement has been beneficial. Coming out of LDC in 2009, I had direction in how I could impact the community. It was clear how necessary RECA is to the interests  of our industry and how important it is to the community.  

As this year's RECA Board Chair, what are your goals for RECA and for ATX?
My goal is to continue to serve the organization in anyway that I can. My hope is that RECA can be a helpful, common sense voice that not only serves the interests of our constituents but all Austinites. In a year with so much change occurring with our council and at a State level, I am very optimistic about our ability to effective in that effort.​

How did you get started in the real estate industry?
I'm not involved in the buying and selling of real estate directly. My involvement is connecting the right parties to determine if the property can be developed and if so, at what cost. Once feasibility is established, we jump into making the vision a reality by utilizing advanced technology to meet deadlines, maintain budgets and deliver the highest quality construction.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a professional?
Consistently managing my time so the majority is spent focusing on my top 2 responsibilities.

Who is your mentor?
Tony Ryan, personally and professionally offers me advice and guidance based on reflection from his experiences.

What's the best professional development advice you've received lately?
It's never to early to make the call.

Where's your favorite spot to have a business meeting?
My office, so everyone is focused on the task at hand and I've got the resources I need to close the deal.

Name 3 artists in your phone?
George Strait, Wade Bowen William, Clark Green

What's your biggest guilty pleasure?
Baked Goods and Candy - My friends call me the "Candy Man"

What other organizations or community interests are important to you?
Professionally I'm a member of ABC Central Texas, NAIOP and ULI. Personally I'm a board member of my neighborhood association and Habitat for Humanity
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What's your favorite thing about RECA?
Networking and industry involvement

How did you get started in the real estate industry?
I received a degree in Construction Science from Texas A&M and started working after graduation for a general contractor. I then moved into the development side of retail construction where, for a decade, I acquired sweeping knowledge of the development process. From there, I settled back into the general construction side of development at Arch-Con® Corporation leading the Retail Division and now Central Texas’ operations for the company.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a professional?
Flawless forecasting is the name of the game in general construction. This means anticipating obstacles to ensure we finish every project on time and budget. This is a constant, inherent challenge. Flawless forecasting is also important when keeping a healthy pipeline of projects for our team of employees.

Who is your mentor?
There have been a number of mentors throughout my career, but no single greater influence than my father on how I do business.

What's the best professional development advice you've received lately?
Don’t get defensive. Listen to your client.  Make sure you hear their concerns and respond thoughtfully rather than react for self-preservation. It is simply unproductive. 

Where's your favorite spot to have a business meeting?
In a social setting, such as a restaurant.

Name 3 artists in your phone?
I have to go with Van Halen, Iron Maiden and The Cult.  I am an old school rock and roll guy. I play bass guitar and am active in several tribute bands and I have several hundreds of artists on my phone. Can you tell this is my favorite question?

What's your biggest guilty pleasure?
Chocolate, for sure.

What other organizations or community interests are important to you?
I have enjoyed my involvement in CREW, ICSC and volunteering at my church.
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What's your favorite thing about RECA?
​The social gathering of like-minded professionals to assist in the common good of real estate and development.