The Retail Connection prez Alan Shor and CEO Steve Lieberman represent more than 200 retail chains and 20M SF of property. (The company also offers brokerage, advisory, property management, and acquisitions.) Currently in the works: conversion of a former Home Depot Expo in the Galleria area into one of the company’s top client's brands, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and a buybuy Baby. They've also converted a grocery store into a sporting goods store because of demographics. (Presumably, all the region’s vegetarians had taken up rugby?) Steve says development has become secondary to repositioning expanding retailers that need to look creatively at existing space.

In what Steve and Alan call the bullpen, the guys are flanked by Scott Rose, David Fazio, and Ross Golman. Seated is Steve Zimmerman with Luke Wilson and David Levinson. The wide open spaces aren’t an homage to Texas, but a way to promote a collaborative work environment, Steve says. Their conference room, dubbed the "Focus Room," has a round table, so no one is across from anyone else. Another collaborative approach: The Retail Connection’s standing basketball game with clients staff. But then shouldn't this area be called Center Court?