Urban vs Suburban Rumble - Leasing and Acquisition Trends

Where are Nashville's newest tenants looking to make their mark, and what's changed in the new year?

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  Janet Miller

  Janet Miller has been a key player in Nashville’s commercial real estate community for over 30 years. She joined Colliers Nashville as CEO and Market Leader in September of 2014, following 21 years of service as the Chief Economic Development Officer for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. During that time period, Miller led the ten-county region’s top agency for recruiting new companies to the region and working with existing companies on retention and expansion projects. Miller led a team that was named a top ten economic development group in America for 3 of the last 5 years of her tenure and successfully worked with over 400 corporations on major job-creation projects including Asurion, HCA, Beretta, Mars Pet Care, Nissan, Bridgestone, Dell Inc., BNY Mellon, UBS and numerous others. At Colliers, Miller is responsible for talent development, business and brand development and all operations for the Colliers Nashville office. The Colliers office has 40 brokers and a projected transaction volume for 2015 of $500 million. Prior to her career at the Chamber, Miller was Director of Research and Marketing for Fulton Vaughn Armstrong Angle, a commercial real estate brokerage firm in Nashville.

  Colliers International

  CEO, Market Leader

  Janet Miller

  CEO, Market Leader

  Colliers International

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  Travis Garland

  As Chief Development Officer, Travis Garland oversees the day-to-day business across all asset classes at Portman, playing a key role in shaping strategy, executing transactions, and driving the development of new and existing product types. Previously, Travis served as Managing Director of Office at Portman, where he led transactions totaling over $4 billion in gross value, including leasing, operations, and dispositions. He is an active member of NAIOP and ULI. His achievements have earned him recognition as a NAIOP “Top Producer” in 2014 and 2018, as well as the #2 Producer in 2016, 2020, and 2021. He was also named one of Real Estate Forum’s 40 Under 40 in 2014 and has been recognized as a CoStar Power Broker from 2013 to 2021. Travis holds a B.B.A. in real estate from the University of Georgia and is a licensed Broker in Georgia and North Carolina. He has been active in commercial real estate since 2005.

  Portman Holdings

  Chief Development Officer

  Travis Garland

  Chief Development Officer

  Portman Holdings

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  Jonathon Reeser

  Jonathon is a Director of Acquisitions at SomeraRoad, helping lead the firm’s acquisition and asset management efforts across the value-add and opportunistic verticals. A member of the Executive Committee, Jon oversees the Nashville headquarters and all of SomeraRoad’s investment activities within the growing market. Jon also leads the firm’s efforts in Pittsburgh, the Washington DC-metro area, and Las Vegas. Prior to SomeraRoad, Jon was a Vice President at Sovereign Capital Management, a San Diego-based firm focused on investing in distressed commercial real estate. At Sovereign, he led the acquisition and asset management of a $6 billion Tenant-In-Common portfolio with 150+ properties nationwide. Jon received a B.S. in Business Administration and Finance from Point Loma Nazarene University. Originally hailing from San Diego, Jon and his wife Amanda now reside in Nashville, TN

  SomeraRoad

  Principal, Co-Head of Acquisitions

  Jonathon Reeser

  Principal, Co-Head of Acquisitions

  SomeraRoad

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  Jenna Muller

  Jenna Muller is a Principal and leader in the Nashville Office Brokerage Group of Avison Young. Over the course of her career, she has represented clients in over $1.4 billion in office transactions totaling 5 million square feet. She acts as a strategic advisor to her clients, bringing deep expertise in office leasing and tenant representation, combined with a broad knowledge of real estate through experience spanning two decades. After starting her commercial real estate career in Washington, DC, she became known as a leading commercial real estate advisor in Nashville, where she has built strong relationships for the past nine years while representing transformative real estate investors and leading companies. Her diverse perspective, combined with deep market knowledge, has translated into a proven track record of executing her clients’ strategic objectives and delivering results that positively impact the bottom line. Representative investor clients include Blackstone, Boyd Watterson, CIM Group, Clarion, Cousins Properties, Endeavor Real Estate Group, EQ Office, Granite Properties, Intercontinental Real Estate, Ingram Industries, JP Morgan, New City Properties, and Starwood. Select tenant advisory clients include CoStar Group, Deloitte, iHeartMedia, MedStar Health, Monogram Health, Siemens, and Surgery Partners.

  Avision Young

  Principal

  Jenna Muller

  Principal

  Avision Young

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  Bo Campbell

  Bo is recognized as a leading real estate attorney by Chambers USA. Since 2005, Best Lawyers has recognized Bo in the categories of Banking and Finance Law, Project Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Notably, Best Lawyers named Bo Nashville's 2017 "Lawyer of the Year" in the area of Project Finance Law. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell. The Nashville Post recognized Bo as one of the "CRE50" – the top 50 leaders in Commercial Real Estate – and named him to its "2017 Power 100" list of individuals with the greatest impact on Nashville business. Additionally, Bo serves by mayoral appointment on the Electric Power Board of the Nashville Electric Service, one of the 12 largest public electric utilities in the nation.

  Waller

  Partner

  Moderator

  Bo Campbell

  Partner

  Waller

Operations Update - Exploring New Tech, Management and Operations Opportunities

What trends, from amenities to wellness, will continue to reign supreme?

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  Brett Polich

  How I came to architecture and design... Thinking back, I’ve always had an affinity for the mechanics of things. My dad was a self-taught jack of all trades. Building a family cottage with him, at age twelve, was a pivotal experience for me. I found technical drawing in high school and quickly moved into CAD (for MS-DOS). During college, I found my love for design and all things architecture. My early career was spent working in educational and municipal buildings. Those experiences taught me the process of building while I developed my process of design. Now having spent more than 15 years focused on workplace, I find myself excited by the continuous evolution of the office. My role at EWP... Is first and foremost about creating an environment where my team can succeed. Putting them in a position of success means our clients get our best. Teaching, mentoring, and directing each have their time. As project principal, I’m responsible for the overall direction of the project, keeping an eye on the big picture goals, and helping to navigate challenges. Outside of EWP... Husband and Dad to three boys, I spend an inordinate amount of time sleeping in tents. You need a hobby, said no parent of three boys ever. Life would not be the same without them and I’m grateful for it. When free time presents itself and the world is not a mess traveling is a passion and I’m always looking forward to my next trip.

  EWP Architects

  Managing Principal

  Brett Polich

  Managing Principal

  EWP Architects

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  John Moyer

  As Vice President of Strategic Accounts and Coworking Partnerships, John Moyer supports the North American sales team and develops strong relationships and strategic partnerships for the company. John is an experienced sales leader, with more than 20 years of consumer product and sales management experience. Since joining Vari in 2015, John has held several roles supporting the rapid growth of the company, including Director of Sales and Vice President of Corporate Accounts. His passion helps serve clients and create life-long fans of the company. Prior to joining Vari, John held a leadership role with Gemmy Industries, an industry leader in seasonal décor and LED lighting, where he managed the Walmart Corporate and Target accounts. He began his career as an outside sales representative at Revlon Cosmetics. His experience at Revlon built a foundation for a sales career spanning multiple industries, with a focus on providing a high level dedicated service and client engagement. John graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.B.A. in Marketing. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife of 20 years and their two children. He enjoys traveling with his family as a way to experience new places and creating lifelong memories together.

  Vari

  VP Sales, Coworking & Flex Partnerships

  John Moyer

  VP Sales, Coworking & Flex Partnerships

  Vari

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  Ajay Kapoor

  Ajay Kapoor is the CEO of TouchSource, the industry leader in smart digital displays and IoT-connected directory solutions that improve the experience of tenants, visitors and shoppers. Prior to leading TouchSource, Ajay was the VP of Global Customer Experience at Imagine Communications and a senior executive at Avaya Communications where he ran professional services, consulting and customer support. Ajay is a graduate of the University of Texas with a BS in Computer Science and a BA in Philosophy. Based in Denver, Colorado he can be found with his wife and daughter on a trail with his boots, bikes or skis.

  TouchSource

  CEO

  Ajay Kapoor

  CEO

  TouchSource

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  Jeffery June

  Director of Sales - Midwest

  Kastle Systems

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  Stacy Connell

  Stacy Connell leads Technogym sales in the Southeast for health, corporate and performance. Stacy brings 20 years of experience in the fitness and wellness industry as a nationally recognized health, wellbeing, and recreation expert, speaker, and consultant from her work in the higher education and corporate wellness settings. Stacy’s holistic approach to health and wellbeing is as multifaceted as her experience. As a consultant, Stacy supported her clients through strategic planning, wellbeing strategy and framework development, built and natural environment design, benefits design and product development. She has had points of pride in her career such as authoring the NC State university-wide wellness strategy and leading a newly expanded health promotion department as Georgia Tech’s first Senior Director of Health Initiatives, with responsibility for leading and developing a holistic approach of health and well-being serving 32,000 students and 10,000 employees. Stacy has also served in campus recreation roles focused on fitness and wellness at the University of Georgia and Texas Christian University. Throughout her career, Stacy has harnessed her passion for biophilic design and the built and natural environments by serving as a key member of small- and large-scale facility and landscape projects. Projects range from fitness studio renovations to large scale construction projects including the Kandeda Building for Sustainable Design, Georgia Tech Campus Center Renovation and Expansion, and the Carmichael Wellness and Recreation Center Renovation and Expansion. Stacy proudly served as the co-chair for NIRSA’s inaugural Health and Wellbeing Task Force. She now serves on the Wellbeing Advisory Council for the American Cancer Society, Partnership for a Healthier America and the Jed Foundation. Stacy has held previous board roles with National Consortium for Building Healthy Academic Communities and is involved in the American College Health Association, the Health Enhancement Research Organization, the National Wellness Institute and NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Stacy has been featured and contributed to various publications including NASPA Leadership Exchange, NIRSA Know, and Campus Rec Magazine. She has also been invited to share and contribute her best practices with others. Stacy has given over 30 conference presentations and speaking engagements related to population health, wellbeing, campus recreation and employee wellness. Stacy received Bachelors’ Degrees in Exercise Physiology- Fitness & Nutrition and Biological Science from Florida State University and a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Georgia. She also holds many fitness and wellness credentials including certified wellness practitioner, certified health coach, registered yoga teacher, certified strength and conditioning specialist, personal trainer and fitness instructor. Additionally, Stacy has continued to expand her knowledge through intensive leadership programs, diversity and inclusion trainings, and skill-based education in motivational interviewing, improvement science, and design thinking. ​ Stacy lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband and their three children, Mason, Logan, and Piper. Stacy enjoys unwinding with family hikes, working out, and good wine with great company.

  Technogym

  Key Account Manager

  Moderator

  Stacy Connell

  Key Account Manager

  Technogym

Reimagining the Future of Office - Construction and Development Outlook

Who's building new offices in the Music City, where, and why?

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  Tom Harwell

  Tom Harwell is Director of Leasing and Marketing for Eakin Partners, and provides insight and direction regarding acquisition and development opportunities. Tom is a partner in the firm as well as Eakin Properties, the general partner for the Eakin portfolio. A native NashVillian, Tom attended Washington & Lee University and subsequently received his Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Georgia. Tom joined Eakin Partners in 2000 as lead Leasing Representative, responsible for the initial lease-up of Virginia Way Plaza, an 80,000 SF Class A office building in Maryland Farms. He is currently responsible for the existing portfolio of 1,800,000 SF of Class A office space, which includes One Burton Hills, 30 Burton Hills, 6 Burton Hills, Roundabout Plaza, Truist Plaza, Grassmere Business Park, 1201 Demonbreun and Peabody Plaza.

  Eakin Partners

  SVP, Leasing

  Tom Harwell

  SVP, Leasing

  Eakin Partners

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  Chris Hopper

  Chris Hopper is Executive Vice President and General Manager for Skanska USA, world-leading construction and development firm and one of the largest in the U.S. In Nashville, Skanska has led such transformative projects as Fifth + Broadway and its office tower 501 Commerce, the worldwide headquarters of AllianceBernstein, as well as the JW Marriott Nashville Hotel, the Cordell Hull State Office Building revitalization, West Riverfront Park and Ascend Amphitheater, and Abe’s Garden Alzheimer’s and Memory Care Community. With nearly 25 years in the industry, Hopper leads Skanska’s central region, which includes four states–Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Under his leadership, the company has become one of the largest construction management firms in the region with annual revenue over $300 million. To date, Hopper has managed nearly $2.5 billion in construction projects in industries including healthcare, education, pharmaceutical, sports, office, corporate commercial and hospitality. In the office sector, Chris has most recently overseen the $200 million redevelopment of the Medpace campus. Medpace was ranked as Fortune’s 18 th fastest growing company in 2021. Hopper’s collaborative management style, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and servant leadership has helped Skanska remain a leader in an ever-changing industry. Outside of the workplace, he lends his time and support to make a difference and giving back. Hopper serves on several boards and is involved in many industry and community organizations, including the Table in Nashville. He was also selected as a member of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s 2017 Forty Under 40 class and 2018 Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce C-Change class 14. A native of Gillette, Wyoming, Hopper graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Laura and sons Gavin and Ethan.

  Skanska

  EVP

  Chris Hopper

  EVP

  Skanska

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  Paul Manno

  An award-winning architect and interior designer, Paul is deeply committed to experiential, people-centric design. Paul is a design principal known for his exceptional insight and respect for his clients’ vision. With more than 30 years of experience in both architecture and interior design, his passion for creating high-performance environments that enhance well-being and purpose has shaped a prolific portfolio. Paul’s body of work is diverse in scale and type, but user experience is central to each project. He approaches every client and project with boundless creativity, infectious energy, and an open mind. Paul’s expertise in design strategy, story, and concept development support his deeply reflective design philosophy. His unique design perspective and commitment to transformative design has made him a highly sought-after mentor by young designers.

  Gensler

  Principal, Design Director

  Paul Manno

  Principal, Design Director

  Gensler

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  Mark Bell

  Construction stakeholders, insurance policyholders and insurance companies benefit from Mark Bell's assistance in a wide range of insurance and construction matters. Mark handles insurance-coverage matters involving:<br/> Directors and officers insurance<br/> Cyber liability insurance<br/> Errors and omissions insurance<br/> Commercial general liability insurance<br/> Commercial property insurance<br/> Builders' risk insurance<br/> Reps and warranties insurance<br/><br/> Mark frequently speaks on insurance and construction issues. He has presented at annual insurance conferences across the country including, Florida, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Hawaii. His article on concurrent causation, published in the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal, has been cited in opinions by the New Mexico Court of Appeals, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, and briefs submitted to various courts. Mark also serves as an editor for the CGL Reporter and contributes a regular column on construction liability insurance as an invited commentator with the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI).

  Waller

  Partner

  Moderator

  Mark Bell

  Partner

  Waller