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Speakers and Panels

The New Industrial User

Developing, Designing And Leasing for Next-Gen Occupiers

Carter Thurmond

Carter Thurmond

Principal

Endeavor

Dax Benkendorfer

Dax Benkendorfer

Development and Leasing Partner

Balcones Development

Rupe Gopani

Rupe Gopani

Founder & CEO

Blue Acre Development

Paul Wagner

Paul Wagner

Principal

ARCO/Murray

Lance Reed
Moderator

Lance Reed

Director of Sales

Cisco Eagle

Carter Thurmond

Principal

Endeavor

Relevant Experience

As Principal

Carter is responsible for industrial leasing and sourcing new development and acquisition opportunities. He is currently focused on the growth of Endeavor’s industrial presence across Central Texas.

Experience

Since starting in the business in 2016, Carter has completed over 500 industrial transactions in his career totaling over $350M in value. Over 4MSF of industrial leasing and $140M in industrial building and land sales. In 2024, he was selected as an Aspiring Leader by Globestreet.

Education

B.A. in Geography- University of Texas at Austin

Dax Benkendorfer

Development and Leasing Partner

Balcones Development

Since launching his career in 2018, Dax Benkendorfer has completed over 385 transactions, leasing more than 3,100,000 square feet of industrial space. Dax oversees all aspects of site selection, design, development, asset management, leasing, and underwriting acquisitions. His expertise includes leasing and disposition of industrial assets throughout Central Texas. With a strategic, hands-on approach and a deep understanding of market trends, he focuses on creating value-driven real estate solutions that maximize investor returns.

Prior to starting his career in commercial real estate, Dax graduated from the University of Texas at Austin.

Paul Wagner

Principal

ARCO/Murray

Paul serves as Principal of ARCO/Murray’s Central Texas-based operations, which in conjunction with the larger ARCO enterprise, will eclipsed $6B in revenue in 2023 and is the nation’s largest Warehouse and Distribution Builder. He is responsible for all aspects of the design-build process, contributing to his customers’ success through a seamless and efficient design, permitting, and construction process. Paul is currently overseeing several projects across a variety of market sectors in the Austin and San Antonio markets, including notable industrial projects – TransPak Manor Industrial Park, MDH Hwy 71 Logitics Center, Tradition 14|35 Belton Crossing, and Balcones Real Estate Group Westinghouse Business Park. As a true Austinite, Paul is a committed UT Sports fan and golf enthusiast. Outside of athletic activities, he enjoys traveling the country with his family for long weekends. Paul graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering.

Lance Reed

Moderator

Cisco Eagle

As the Director of Sales for South Texas at Cisco-Eagle, Lance Reed leads a team that specializes in material handling solutions, automation, and warehouse efficiency. In addition to managing sales and operations in South Texas, Lance oversees business development efforts across Mexico, Central America, and South America. With a deep understanding of industrial logistics and supply chain optimization, Lance works closely with companies to enhance productivity, safety, and throughput in their operations.

With years of experience in the material handling industry, Lance has a strong track record of helping businesses implement strategic solutions for warehousing, distribution, and manufacturing. Cisco-Eagle focuses on integrating cutting-edge technologies such as conveyance systems, automated storage and retrieval, dynamic storage solutions and robotics to meet evolving industry demands.

As the moderator for today’s BisNow panel on the Future of Houston Industrial Real Estate, Lance will guide discussions on market trends, emerging technologies, and the challenges shaping industrial spaces in one of the country’s most dynamic logistics hubs.

From Dirt to Deals

Capital, Site Strategy & What Actually Gets Delivered in Austin Industrial

Greg St. Clair

Greg St. Clair

Principal & Founder

St. Clair Commercial Realty

Brooke Harlander

Brooke Harlander

Regional Partner

St. John Properties

John Colglazier

John Colglazier

Partner

Partners

Cody Bailey
Moderator

Cody Bailey

SVP

Gordon Highlander

Greg St. Clair

Principal & Founder

St. Clair Commercial Realty

Greg St. Clair is the Principal and founder of St. Clair Commercial Real Estate. He brings over 30 years of experience in all facets of commercial real estate from acquisitions, asset and property management, development, redevelopment, and dispositions. Since forming SCCR in 2016, the firm has acquired over 2 million square feet of value add opportunities deploying both high net worth private capital and institutional investments and has active ground up development projects. In addition to direct investments, SCCR has active fee asset management engagements and offers a full range of consulting services to select clients.

Prior to forming SCCR, Greg St. Clair ran a very successful family office for the KFG Investment Company, owned by a noted Southern California home builder. Through his efforts the KFG portfolio of industrial, office and multi-family investments has achieved a market value in excess of $300 Million and proudly boasts strong return metrics for both realized and unrealized returns, with the bulk of the properties still owned in the portfolio today. He completed several significant 1031 exchange, coordinated up-REIT transactions to diversify KFG holdings, and was involved in a wide range of alternate investments including operating real estate companies, multi- family development companies and MLS Soccer franchises.

Greg St. Clair began his business career as a Certified Public Accountant with KPMG in their banking and real estate practice, and is a graduate of the University of Southern California.

Brooke Harlander

Regional Partner

St. John Properties

Brooke Harlander is Regional Partner for St. John Properties, Inc., and oversees all development activities for the company’s Texas office. St. John Properties is one of the largest privately-held commercial real estate developers in the nation. They manage site selection, acquisitions, development, design, construction, leasing, marketing, financing, and property management, all in-house. St. John Properties has developed, constructed and owns more than 22 million square feet of office, flex/research & development, retail, and warehouse space. In 2020, Harlander was recognized as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by the Maryland Daily Record for her leadership and commitment to community service. She earned a degree in Law & American Civilization from Towson University, and a Masters in Real Estate and Infrastructure from Johns Hopkins University. Harlander is a member of NAIOP, the Urban Land Institute and the Real Estate Council of Austin, and currently serves on the Real Estate Alumni Network board for the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.

John Colglazier

Partner

Partners

John Colglazier, Jr. is a Partner in Partners’ San Antonio office, specializing in the lease and sale of industrial properties. John has deep experience marketing the gamut of industrial product types at the local, regional, and national level.

John joined Colglazier Properties in 1996 and has specialized in the sale and leasing of all types of industrial, manufacturing and distribution products. Among John’s accolades include being honored by the San Antonio Business Journal for completing the Largest Industrial Lease of 2004 for his representation of Valero Energy Corp to open its first self-distribution facility; initiation into SIOR on its “fast track” program by exceeding sales volume requirements; representing Maruchan, Inc. in that company’s site acquisition and development for a San Antonio plant; and another recognition by the San Antonio Business Journal for Best Industrial Deal of 2013 for his role in the development of Southton Rail Yard; among other accomplishments.

Cody Bailey

Moderator

Gordon Highlander

Cody joined the Gordon Highlander team with more than 25 years of industry experience. This experience has brought confidence and trust with new clients as he stepped into the role of Vice President for the new Central Texas office in Austin. He has built both a cohesive team and the Gordon Highlander reputation in this expanded market. In addition to his extensive professional experience, Cody holds a master’s degree in industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University. His use of industry experience and knowledge has been instrumental in growing the Central Texas market for Gordon Highlander

Remarks From The Podium

James Blackwood

James Blackwood

Chief Revenue Officer

Giraffe

James Blackwood

Chief Revenue Officer

Giraffe

James Blackwood is the Chief Revenue Officer & Cofounder at Giraffe, a cutting-edge platform that empowers real estate developers by unifying mapping, modeling, and analytics to accelerate capital allocation. With over a decade of experience in technology advisory and leadership, James has excelled in guiding traditional enterprises through complex data transformations, optimizing operations, and driving strategic growth in the real estate and urban development sectors.

His advisory expertise spans consulting on digital strategies for site selection, feasibility analysis, and workflow automation, where he has helped organizations leverage emerging technologies to make informed, data-driven decisions. As a leader, James has built and scaled high-performing teams, fostering innovation and collaboration to deliver measurable business outcomes.

In the last five years at Giraffe, James has focused extensively on partnering with developers to integrate automation and AI into developers workflows. He has led initiatives that automate repetitive tasks, enhance predictive modeling, and incorporate AI-driven insights for real-time metrics and generative design. These efforts have enabled developers to reduce project timelines from weeks to hours, improve data discoverability, and operate development teams more efficiently.

Why You Should Attend this Austin Industrial Commercial Real Estate Event

What We’ll Cover:

  • Austin Industrial Market Snapshot: A current view of industrial performance across Austin and Central Texas, including vacancy, absorption, rental rate movement, and how the market is digesting new supply while demand patterns evolve by submarket.

  • Capital Conditions and Deal Feasibility: How developers and investors are underwriting industrial projects today, including lender expectations, equity requirements, risk tolerance, return thresholds, and how financing terms are shaping what can realistically move from concept to construction.

  • Land and Site Selection Strategy: The factors influencing where industrial development is still penciling, including land pricing, entitlements, infrastructure readiness, utility availability, municipal process differences, incentive structures, and long-term corridor strategy across key Central Texas routes.

  • Deliverability and Execution Challenges: How project teams are navigating real constraints that impact timelines and budgets, including permitting hurdles, construction costs, labor availability, supply chain volatility, and schedule risk from predevelopment through delivery.

  • Power and Infrastructure Readiness: How energy capacity, transmission timing, and utility coordination are affecting industrial site viability, along with strategies teams are using to plan earlier, reduce delays, and protect project schedules.

  • Leasing Strategy and Tenant Decision-Making: How leasing is being approached in a market with shifting competitive dynamics, including tenant timelines, lease structures, concession trends, preleasing expectations, and what is driving demand across different user types.

  • Next-Generation Industrial Requirements: What modern occupiers are prioritizing and how that is influencing development and design, including building flexibility, clear heights, truck court functionality, parking ratios, office finish trends, sustainability expectations, and technology readiness.

  • Automation, Technology, and Operational Efficiency: The growing impact of robotics, AI, and advanced building systems on space needs, layout planning, and infrastructure requirements, and how owners are future-proofing facilities to remain competitive over the long term.

  • What Creates Long-Term Value: What differentiates industrial projects that maintain pricing power and leasing velocity, including product positioning, location fundamentals, tenant durability, and design or infrastructure decisions that improve long-term relevance.

How You'll Do More Business: Join us at Bisnow’s 2026 Austin Industrial Summit, where developers, investors, and industry leaders will unpack the trends, challenges, and opportunities defining Central Texas’ industrial market. From capital and construction costs to site selection, manufacturing growth, and tenant evolution, this event offers a front-row seat to the forces reshaping one of the nation’s most dynamic industrial hubs. Connect with peers, gain actionable insights, and discover where the next wave of deals is taking shape.

Join us and Network with Fellow Attendees From: Ryan Companies, Endeavor, Partners, Stonemont Financial Group, Balcones Real Estate Group, Brinegar Properties, St. Clair Commercial Realty, and other owners, developers, investors, brokers, city and government officials, business consultants, architects, engineers, lawyers, accountants, bankers and technology leaders.

Why You Should Attend: Bisnow events bring together the biggest power players in the industry to identify opportunities, build your network and expand your business. With the largest audience of commercial real estate professionals in the world, no one knows how to help your business more than us. Join Bisnow and jump into the market to analyze its strengths and strategize on its areas of opportunity. You don't want to miss this event!

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For venue/location questions or to request disability-related accommodations, please contact claire.arhens@bisnow.com no later than 7 business days before the event.

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Austin Industrial News And Projects

Agenda

Time Activity
2:00 PM
3:05 PM
Breakfast and Networking
3:05 PM
3:50 PM
From Dirt to Deals

Capital, Site Strategy & What Actually Gets Delivered in Austin Industrial - What makes an Austin industrial site workable today, including pricing, entitlement timelines, infrastructure readiness, and access to utilities like power and water? - How are developers structuring land takedowns, phasing, and delivery timelines to manage uncertainty while still building at the right moment? - What product is truly getting delivered in 2026, and what is driving those decisions, including tenant demand, rent assumptions, construction costs, and lease up risk?

3:50 PM
4:10 PM
Networking Break
4:10 PM
4:55 PM
The New Industrial User

Developing, Designing And Leasing for Next-Gen Occupiers - What building specs are now required to win leases, including power capacity, clear heights, yard and trailer storage, office ratios, and site circulation? - How are TI expectations and lease negotiations shifting, and where are owners drawing the line on concessions, term length, and flexibility? - How are occupiers choosing submarkets today, including proximity to Austin proper versus outer ring locations, labor access, logistics flow, and long term scalability?

4:55 PM
5:30 PM
Closing Networking

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