Breaking The Standstill

Return to Work, Major Trends and Navigating A Volatile Market

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  Larry Sloan

  Larry Sloan serves as Midway’s Executive Vice President of Investment and Development. He is responsible for the oversight and operations of the Investment and Development Team, and executing new business initiatives across various development, value-add, and acquisition strategies. Larry is also a member of Midway’s Leadership Team and Investment Committee. Larry joined Midway in October of 2016 with more than 18 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Midway, he served as Senior Vice President of Investments for Monogram Residential (NYSE: MORE). During his tenure, he was a member of the Leadership Team and a Senior Executive Officer of the REIT, where he completed over $1.8 billion of core development and acquisition investments nationally and participated in the listing of the REIT on the NYSE in the fall of 2014. Prior to Monogram, Larry spent nine years in various roles sourcing and managing commercial investment opportunities for the Archon Group, a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs. Larry is an active Board member of NAIOP Houston, a member of ULI Multifamily Bronze Product Council, NMHC and ICSC. In addition, he holds a Texas real estate license and a CCIM designation and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Texas A&M University.

  Midway

  EVP, Investments and Development

  Larry Sloan

  EVP, Investments and Development

  Midway

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  Aaron Thielhorn

  Aaron Thielhorn serves as a Managing Director for Trammell Crow Company where he oversees the firm’s office and mixed-use development and investment initiatives in the Houston region. Additionally, Aaron supports the Austin business unit by providing strategy and execution assistance for urban projects, including the Thomas C. Green Water Treatment Plant redevelopment, a 2.3 million square foot urban mixed-use development. In this role, Aaron provides leadership to the TCC team in the planning, design, finance, leasing, development, and operations of commercial properties. Aaron specializes in the development and acquisition of Class A office buildings. During his tenure at TCC, he has been responsible for the execution of 7.1 million square feet of office and mixed use development projects with a total capitalized value of 2.4 billion. Aaron began his career with TCC in 1999 as a Financial Analyst. From 2000-2003, he was a member of the Capital Markets Group where he participated in the marketing and disposition of 5.8 million square feet of institutional office, industrial, and retail investment properties. In 2003, he joined the Development and Investment team in his current role, and was named a Principal in the firm in 2006.

  Trammell Crow Company

  Managing Director

  Aaron Thielhorn

  Managing Director

  Trammell Crow Company

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  Robert Cromwell, II

  Bob joined Moody Rambin in 1994 bringing his office agency leasing experience to the firm. Bob has leased office properties throughout the Houston metro market for numerous clients from high net worth individuals to national institutional clients. As Managing Director and over thirty years in office leasing, Bob directs the daily operations with a team of tenured agency leasing office professionals. Prior to joining Moody Rambin, Bob started commercial real estate in 1983 with a local developer Don Mafrige Real Estate where he focused on interior construction and office property management. In 1988, Bob joined Everest Funds and worked under the late Howard Weathers where he transitioned from property management to landlord focused leased transactions. Bob is a native Houstonian, married to his wife Leia and has two daughters, Lillian (14) and Margaret (12). He enjoys spending time with family anywhere along the Texas coast or in central Texas hill country enjoying outdoor activities.

  Moody Rambin

  Managing Director

  Robert Cromwell, II

  Managing Director

  Moody Rambin

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  Lesa Nickelson French

  As Corporate Managing Director in Savills Houston office, Lesa Nickelson French helps clients achieve their business goals through customized real estate solutions. She draws on her expertise from both her legal training and extensive experience in commercial real estate to serve tenants in lease transactions ranging from 2,500 to more than 500,000 square feet. Specializing in tenant representation, leasing, acquisitions and dispositions, she works strategically with her clients to understand their unique needs, regardless of size. Lesa helps companies of all sizes achieve their business goals by synthesizing her negotiation and contract skills with in-depth market knowledge, skillfully representing clients in finding the right space to thrive. Lesa joined Savills in 2019, after eight years as Senior Vice President with JLL, where she was a top performer in office tenant representation. Before that, she worked at CBRE for six years, representing mid- to large-size tenants. Before entering commercial real estate, Lesa practiced law for ten years. She was a commercial litigator and then spent six years at Service Corporation International, successfully supervising the firm’s U.S. and Canadian litigation. Lesa earned recognition as a “Heavy Hitter in Office Leasing” from the Houston Business Journal, and several awards for achievement at JLL, including Top Gun Designation, Gold Achiever Designation and Top Achiever Designation. She served as a Board Member and Client Relations Chair on the JLL Houston Women’s Network. She is also a member of several community organizations, including the Women’s Energy Network; the Houston Area Women’s Center, where she served as a Board Member from 2016-2018 and as Facilities Committee Chair in 2018; and as Board Co-Chair for the American Lung Association from 2015-2016.

  Savills

  Corporate Managing Director

  Lesa Nickelson French

  Corporate Managing Director

  Savills

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  Ami Figg

  Ami Figg is a senior leasing agent for Hartman Income REIT Management, Inc. and a seasoned sales professional with 19 years of experience. As a senior leasing agent, Mrs. Figg is responsible for Hartman’s Park 10 properties, Timbercreek and Copperfield portfolios in Houston where she focuses on renewing leases and increasing property occupancy with new tenants while also mentoring new leasing agents to perform at the highest level. Mrs. Figg received her bachelor’s degree from Harding University and holds her real estate license specializing in commercial real estate.

  Hartman Income REIT

  Senior Leasing Agent

  Ami Figg

  Senior Leasing Agent

  Hartman Income REIT

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  Will Carter

  Will graduated from the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University with a degree in Construction Science. Will entered the construction project management track with a leading Houston general contracting firm, D.E. Harvey Builders, now known as Harvey Cleary. He moved on to Turner Construction and later E.E Reed. Taking his passion and vison into his own hands he founded Will Carter Construction (WC Construction) in 2018. Throughout his career, Will has had the opportunity to collaborate on projects of all sizes and across multiple disciplines. Regardless of the size of the project, the project complexity, or the experience level of the Client, Will is a true professional who excels at what he does, even in the very competitive construction market that is Houston, Texas. Will’s responsiveness, thoroughness, and passion for the mission in ensuring each project is a success greatly distinguish him amongst his competitors. As direct responses from his clients, “it is very reassuring when Will is building out one of our projects, as his solid track record provides peace of mind from both a personal and a client perspective.” Finally, Will’s growing list of repeat clients serves as an excellent example of his commitment to service, both during construction and after the job is completed.

  WC Construction

  President

  Will Carter

  President

  WC Construction

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  John Moody, Jr.

  John S. Moody, Jr., is Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has extensive experience in real estate development, leasing, acquisitions, sales and financing. He represents developers, owners, families, financial institutions, investors, retailers and private equity funds in acquisitions, sales, development, leasing, financing and construction of all types of real estate.

  Moody Law Group

  Manager

  Moderator

  John Moody, Jr.

  Manager

  Moody Law Group

How Is The Workplace Evolving and Adapting?

Mixed-Use and The Role It Plays in Office, Construction, Development, and Design Trends

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  Stephanie Burritt

  Stephanie Burritt is a Principal and Managing Director of Gensler's Houston office. Stephanie's career with Gensler began in 1989 when she joined the London office. Six years later, she transferred to Houston and has since had the opportunity to manage workplace projects ranging from 1,000 to 1 million square feet in size. During her time in Houston, she has primarily focused on designing for energy and professional service firm clients, many of whom are long-term and global relationships. Stephanie has been a member and advocate of The Texas Association for Interior Design for more than 15 years. She first served as a board member for the Gulf Coast Region, and then held roles as Vice President, President, and VP of Students and Education. Stephanie also supports the Boy Scouts of America at a local and national level, formerly acting as a Venture Crew Advisor for Troop 641. As a champion for the continued health and growth of Houston, Stephanie currently serves on the Board of Directors for Central Houston. Over the past three years, Stephanie has been recognized as a recipient for both Bisnow Houston's Power Women Award and Houston Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business Award. Most recently, she was the recipient of the International Interior Design Association award for Design Leadership.

  Gensler

  Principal and Managing Director

  Stephanie Burritt

  Principal and Managing Director

  Gensler

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  Ryan LeVasseur

  Ryan LeVasseur joined Rice Management Company in 2019 as the Managing Director of Direct Real Estate. In this role, Mr. LeVasseur is responsible for investments in strategic development opportunities in Houston. Prior to joining RMC, Mr. LeVasseur spent five years in Hines’ New York development office where he was a Managing Director. Prior to joining Hines, Mr. LeVasseur was a Director at HR&A Advisors. While at HR&A, he was responsible for urban development assignments in an array of locations including the New York City metropolitan area, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Detroit. Mr. LeVasseur received an MS in Real Estate Development from Columbia University where he was a Kinne Fellow and a Bachelor of Architecture and a BA in Architecture from Rice University. Ryan serves as a member of the Columbia GSAPP Alumni Board and was an adjunct professor at Columbia University teaching a course on real estate market analytics.

  Rice Management Company

  Managing Director - Direct Real Estate

  Ryan LeVasseur

  Managing Director - Direct Real Estate

  Rice Management Company

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  John Leggett

  John Leggett is an established investor and the founder of Leggett Ventures, a Houston-based Private Equity firm that pursues real estate, energy, and other attractive investments with value-add and opportunistic returns across multiple markets. With an extensive portfolio including everything from rural land, residential construction, hotels, multi family, office/retail to oil and gas minerals across multiple states, the Leggett Ventures portfolio has a total asset value of more than $100 million. Additionally, John is the co-founder of multiple portfolio companies including nationally recognized On Point Custom Homes, oil and gas investment firm Cannon Field, commercial real estate firm NewFound Partners and is also a managing partner in a Frontier Title Company which has 9 locations across Texas. Prior to his real estate career, John was in Investment Banking serving as an equity research associate with Credit Lyonnais Securities and as an investment banking analyst with Deutsche Bank in Houston. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he obtained his undergrad in Business as well as a Master’s degree in Accounting. John’s accolades include being named a Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40 winner, and his homebuilding company was named the 2017 Texas Custom Builder of the Year named as an Inc. Magazine FAST 5000 Award winner and recognized as one of Houston’s Fastest Growing Companies.

  NewFound Partners

  Founder

  John Leggett

  Founder

  NewFound Partners

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  Meredith Wheeler

  Meredith Wheeler is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Sesh Coworking. In 2017, after experiencing years of work-from-home loneliness, she created the Girlsesh Community, bringing together hundreds of working women from all across Houston for connection, support and resource-sharing. As the community grew, she listened to their cries for a supportive, flexible workspace and in February of 2020, opened Houston’s first female-centered, LGBT- affirming coworking space alongside her business partner, Maggie Segrich. In October of 2021, Sesh was awarded the StartHER Grant from Texas Women’s University. In June of 2022, the Sesh team was honored to accept the Allied Business of the Year award from the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber. Having outgrown the first location within the first 2 years, Meredith and Maggie opened the 20k sq ft flagship Midtown Houston location in January 2022 where Sesh is currently headquartered today. Meredith believes that every individual deserves to work in a safe, supportive workspace where they feel heard, respected and celebrated. When she is not at Sesh, you can find Meredith at home sipping coffee on the back patio with her husband, Drew and three daughters, Vivian, Faye and Juniper. You can learn more about Sesh Coworking at seshcoworking.com.

  Sesh Coworking

  Founder

  Meredith Wheeler

  Founder

  Sesh Coworking

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  Matt Ragan

  Matt Ragan is Rebees' Director of Retail Programming & Operations. After earning History and Business degrees from the University of Kansas, Matt tried his hand at acting (where he found just enough success to still be talking about it) before finding his true calling in the world of hospitality and food and beverage. Matt would go on to run and develop multiple upscale restaurants in New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, prior to joining Rebees in 2019.

  Rebees

  Director of Retail Programming & Operations

  Matt Ragan

  Director of Retail Programming & Operations

  Rebees

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  Grant Canning

  Grant Canning comes with a plethora of experience from his background in sports broadcasting to his marketing and business experience. He is responsible for partnering with the client and the A&D firm to create and solidify a perfect solution that will enhance the user experience and the company alike. His ability to create innovative spaces that encourages productivity and employment recruitment and retention is unmatched. Grant holds a B.S. in FTDM Sports Broadcasting, Master of Sports Administration, and MBA from Ohio University. His experience includes Corporate Sales for the San Antonio Spurs and marketing for Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

  CORE Office Interiors

  VP

  Moderator

  Grant Canning

  VP

  CORE Office Interiors