In this episode, Bill Cawley shares his extraordinary journey from growing up in a small town in Illinois to becoming a significant player in the Dallas real estate market. He opens up about his early struggles with alcohol, his initial foray into real estate, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Bill also delves into the challenges and rewards of transitioning from being a broker to a developer, highlighting the importance of relationships, resilience, and self-belief. Additionally, he speaks about his personal life, the influence of his father, and how faith and mentorship play crucial roles in his life today. The episode is filled with insightful anecdotes, life lessons, and advice for young professionals looking to break into the real estate industry.

Timestamps:

00:00 Starting a New Life in Dallas

01:52 College Days and Early Career Struggles

03:00 Family and Upbringing in the Midwest

06:14 Transition to Real Estate and Moving to Texas

08:04 Building a Career in Dallas

10:53 Early Real Estate Ventures and Challenges

14:18 Starting a Business and Finding Success

19:32 Major Deals and Development Projects

33:25 Current Ventures and Future Plans

35:15 Industrial and Data Center Development

35:47 South Dallas Real Estate Potential

37:18 Challenges in the Current Market

40:22 The Impact of AI on Business

42:17 Memorable Real Estate Stories

49:34 Advice for Young Professionals

52:49 Personal Reflections and Giving Back

55:22 C-Suite Closers: Quickfire Questions

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In this episode, Bob Young reflects on his extensive career in commercial real estate, detailing the cooperative yet competitive nature of the industry. He shares his daily routine of staying informed about market trends, his career journey from working with notable figures like Jerry Foltz and Herb Weitzman, to his foundational experiences at companies like Levi Strauss and Blockbuster. Bob discusses the importance of continuous learning, relationship-building, and adaptability in achieving success. He also touches on the significance of community engagement and details his personal and professional background, offering insights into the qualities that differentiate successful brokers in the industry.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Coopetition in the Industry

01:19 Meet Bob Young: A Journey Through the Industry

02:00 Breaking into the Business Post-9/11

02:39 Early Career and Mentorship

04:06 Upbringing and Family Influence

05:57 College Years and Early Jobs

10:55 Levi Strauss Experience

15:10 Transition to Real Estate

17:43 First Real Estate Deals and Lessons Learned

21:58 Tenant Representation and Industry Evolution

24:40 The Importance of Relationships in Real Estate

26:53 Reflections on Coopetition and Continuous Learning

29:11 Influential Figures: Jerry Foltz and Herb Weitzman

33:58 Early Career and Real Estate Networking

34:15 Memorable Encounters with Herb Weitzman

36:05 Career Transitions and Joining Weitzman

38:22 Learning and Growing at Weitzman

41:59 Building Company Culture

51:02 Changes in Commercial Real Estate

53:53 Personal Stories and Reflections

01:02:09 The C-Suite Closers

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In this episode, Paul Smith shares his extensive journey in the commercial real estate sector, reflecting on his career evolution from Dallas to Boston, and eventually to his current role at Velocis. He discusses his upbringing as one of seven children in a New York Irish Catholic family, his educational path from Harvard to business school at UT Austin, and his various roles at Republic Bank, FS Realty Partners, Invesco, Crescent, and his current entrepreneurial venture at Velocis. Smith also touches on the dynamics of the real estate market in different cities, the transition from office to industrial real estate, and the importance of Dallas's collegial business environment. Additionally, he highlights significant influences and mentors in his life, his passion for fundraising, and his long-standing commitment to community and charity, specifically his involvement with Cistercian Preparatory School.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Commercial Real Estate

01:11 Paul Smith's Upbringing and Education

02:47 Early Career and Transition to Real Estate

05:43 Private Equity and Real Estate Ventures

10:43 Challenges and Successes in Real Estate

16:29 Transition to Industrial Real Estate

22:16 The Importance of Location in Real Estate

22:31 Success Story: Temple, Texas Deal

23:57 Industrial Space Growth in Texas

25:10 Future Investment Plans

25:43 Passion for Fundraising

28:00 Commercial Real Estate Insights

29:23 Influential Figures and Career Reflections

30:55 Family Background and Early Influences

33:43 Quickfire Questions: Personal Insights

40:00 Charity and Community Involvement

43:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Check Out Paul on LinedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-smith-721b4725/

Check out Velocis Here:

https://velocis.com/

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greatstatehat.com

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Tommy Shuey shares his unique journey from playing lacrosse in Dallas and at Hofstra University to spearheading a cutting-edge wine storage and hospitality business. He recounts his early love for sports, his first jobs in high school, and his career trajectory from investment banking to entrepreneurial ventures in technology. Shuey discusses the creation of 55 Seventy, a luxury wine storage club in Dallas, his strategies for growth, and their upcoming expansion to Houston. He emphasizes the importance of hiring great people and adapting to members' needs. The episode also delves into memorable wine experiences, including tastings of rare vintages, and concludes with Shuey's involvement in the Rise School charity.

Timestamps:

00:00 Oldest and Most Expensive Wines at the Club

01:17 Introduction and Guest Welcome

02:06 Tommy's Upbringing and Family Background

03:01 Discovering Lacrosse and Early Sports Journey

04:27 High School Lacrosse and College Recruitment

06:32 College Lacrosse and Transition to Coaching

23:28 Early Career and Investment Banking

32:11 Building the Business: From Bankruptcy Consulting to Tech Platform

33:30 Navigating COVID-19: Shifts in Roles and Marketing Challenges

35:38 Discovering the Wine Storage Opportunity

37:07 Launching the Wine Club: From Concept to Reality

37:22 Key Lessons in Hospitality and Team Building

48:19 Expanding the Vision: Houston and Beyond

55:48 C-Suite Closers: Personal Insights and Reflections

Check out Tommy on LinkedIn Here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-shuey-5231b115/

Check out 55 Seventy Here:

https://dallas.55seventy.com/

Check out Great State Hat here!

greatstatehat.com

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Interested in my real estate brokerage firm? Check it out here: Paladin Partners!

In this episode, Michael Brennan shares his inspiring journey from a young boy influenced by his father's entrepreneurial spirit to becoming a key player in the industrial real estate sector. Brennan discusses his early ventures in real estate while working at RR Donnelley, his transition from residential to commercial real estate, and his strategic investments in industrial properties. He highlights his tenure at Scheidler Group and then as CEO of First Industrial Realty Trust, where he played a pivotal role in taking the company public and navigating through economic challenges. Brennan also delves into his passion for education and the significant impact he has made at the Grass Camp Real Estate Center at the University of Wisconsin. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of hard work, perseverance, and the continuous quest for knowledge.

Timestamps:

00:00 Starting a Career in Real Estate

00:41 First Real Estate Deal

01:21 Lunch with Industry Leaders

03:10 Influence of Upbringing

08:45 Early Jobs and Lessons Learned

15:10 College and Career Beginnings

21:21 Transition to Commercial Real Estate

25:27 Joining Coldwell Banker Commercial

33:18 Becoming a Principal in Real Estate

37:57 Starting in Industrial Real Estate

39:34 Going Public with Merrill Lynch

42:37 Becoming CEO and Expanding the Company

44:56 Lessons from First Industrial

47:39 Differences Between Public and Private REITs

58:45 Involvement with the Grass Camp Real Estate Center

01:06:53 Advice for Young Real Estate Enthusiasts

01:12:30 Favorite Chicago Food and Final Thoughts

Check Out Michael on LinkedIn Here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-brennan-a760b7a0/

Check out Brennan Investment Group Here:

https://www.brennanllc.com/

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In this episode, we delve into the career and personal journey of Ray Sedey, the Chairman and CEO of McCarthy Building Companies, a leading construction firm. Amidst his insightful recount of industry dynamics and company growth, Ray highlights the challenges and evolving landscape of power generation and distribution, especially the shifting focus towards natural gas and package nuclear plants. He shares his expansive career path, starting from his roots in the construction field influenced by his father, through his rise within McCarthy, reflecting on over two decades of moves, projects, and leadership growth. Ray also discusses the importance of adaptability, leadership development, and the significance of the company's employee ownership model. Additionally, Ray offers advice to young professionals about the value of curiosity and being open to new opportunities. Through personal anecdotes, including navigating family moves and career milestones, Ray provides a comprehensive look into his professional life and the ethos of McCarthy Building Companies.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Power Companies and Distribution Challenges

01:16 Guest Introduction and Career Highlights

01:59 Childhood and Early Influences

06:09 Educational Journey and Early Career

10:29 Joining McCarthy Building Companies

13:06 Early Career Experiences and Challenges

24:25 Leadership Aspirations and Career Growth

30:04 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Learning

30:36 Unexpected Move to Texas

32:36 Boom and Bust in Las Vegas

35:32 Challenges and Opportunities as CEO

38:05 The Unique Employee Ownership Model

42:31 Building Impactful Projects

45:21 Future Growth and Opportunities

48:57 Advice for Young Professionals

50:24 C-Suite Closers: Getting to Know Ray

You can Find Ray in LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-sedey-2b205a9/

Check out Ray's Favorite Foundation: 

https://www.heart.org/

Check out Ray's Favorite Books Here:

Good to Great: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996

The Advantage: https://www.amazon.com/Advantage-Organizational-Health-Everything-Business/dp/0470941529

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Jeremy Mercer reflects on his early experiences, from his first major real estate deal to his upbringing in Irving, Texas. Highlighting his formative years playing football and his close-knit relationship with his brother, Jeff, Jeremy shares how sports and a disciplined upbringing influenced his work ethic. He delves into his initial ventures in the music industry and property management before transitioning to commercial real estate and brokerage. Jeremy also speaks candidly about overcoming significant financial challenges, emphasizing the importance of persistence. Now, as the co-founder of Matador Capital, Jeremy discusses his strategy, the impact of real estate partnerships, and his venture into credit fund management. The conversation wraps up with Jeremy's personal anecdotes, favorite leisure spots, and his involvement in charitable endeavors.

Timestamps:

00:00 The First Big Deal

01:28 Childhood and Upbringing

03:06 High School and College Football

08:13 Transition to Music and Early Career

17:01 Starting in Real Estate

38:51 First Syndicated Deal

39:40 Transition to Buying Buildings

41:49 Founding Matador Capital

42:48 Scaling and Expanding

44:23 Starting a Credit Fund

48:00 Lessons from a Major Setback

51:06 Opportunities in the Market

55:09 Advice for Young Professionals

59:39 The C-Suite Closers

Check out Jeremy on His Socials Here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-mercer-a3154358/

X: https://x.com/jbmatcap?lang=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbmatcap/

Check out Jeremy's Podcast, The Industrialist, Here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-industrialist/id1715732647

You can Find Matador Realty Investments Here:

https://www.matador.net/

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greatstatehat.com

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In this episode of The C-Suite Show, Conrad interviews Brant Bernet, a veteran in the commercial real estate sector with extensive expertise in the data center market. Brant shares his bold prediction that Texas will become the largest data center market in the world due to its pro-business environment and resource availability. The conversation delves into Brant's upbringing, his career progress from various roles in real estate to his passion for data centers, and significant influences along the way. They discuss the rapid evolution of data center requirements, the importance of power sustainability, and the transformative impact of data center projects in regions like South Dallas. In addition to professional insights, Brant shares personal stories, including his musical family background, notable people in his career, impactful books, favorite musicians, and advice for young professionals. He also touches on his philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Salesmanship Club and charitable involvement with the Rise School.

Timestamps:

00:00 Texas: The Future Data Center Capital

00:24 Challenges in the Data Center Industry

01:21 Introduction to Brant Bernet

02:29 Brant Bernet's Upbringing and Family Background

11:50 Early Career and Entry into Real Estate

15:17 The Rise of Data Centers

15:58 The Formation of Rack House

20:50 The Data Center Market Boom

28:19 Power Challenges and Solutions

32:34 The Future of Power Generation

34:12 South Dallas: A New Development Frontier

35:55 Future of Infrastructure Development

36:34 Wealth Generation and Land Ownership

37:24 Hyperscalers and Data Center Evolution

37:50 Changing Requirements in Data Centers

39:02 Impact of Power Demand on Data Centers

42:53 Emerging Data Center Markets

45:30 Influential Figures in Real Estate

48:58 Advice for Young Professionals

51:23 The C-Suite Closers: Quickfire Questions

01:04:55 Charity Work and Giving Back

Find Brant on LinkedIn here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brant-bernet-2104942/

Check out Brant's Favorite Charities Here:

Rise School of Dallas: https://ymcadallas.org/ashford-rise-school-dallas

Salesmanship Club: https://scdallas.org/

Find Brant's Favorite Book Here:

https://www.amazon.com/Old-Man-Sea-Ernest-Hemingway/dp/0684801221

Check out Great State Hat here!

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In this episode, former NFL player Darren Woodson shares his journey from a rough childhood in Phoenix to becoming a legendary Dallas Cowboys player and beyond. Darren opens up about his experience at Arizona State, his rookie years with the Cowboys, and the intense training environment under coaches like Jimmy Johnson. Darren reflects on lessons learned from his mother and the discipline instilled in him through routine and resilience. He also discusses life post-football, including his work with ESPN and his transition into commercial real estate. Additionally, he speaks passionately about his involvement in the C5 Texas mentoring program, which aims to guide disadvantaged youth towards academic and personal success. The conversation touches on the importance of showing up every day, mentorship, his favorite musicians, and how his faith has guided his journey.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Early Career Challenges

01:51 Childhood and Family Influences

08:42 High School Football Aspirations

11:02 College Football Journey

21:47 Transition to Professional Football

23:37 Life in the NFL

35:10 Injury and Surgeries: A Painful Journey

36:50 The Final Straw: Realizing the End of a Career

39:55 Transition to Real Estate: A New Beginning

43:12 Challenges and Lessons in Real Estate

54:28 The C-Suite Closers

01:03:59 Mentorship and Giving Back

Find Darren on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrenwoodson28/?hl=en

X: https://x.com/darrenwoodson28?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarrenWoodson28/

You can find all of Darren's current projects on his website:

https://darrenwoodson.com/

Check out C5 Youth Foundation here:

https://www.c5texas.org/

Check out Great State Hat here!

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In this episode, Russ Webb shares his journey from growing up in Abilene, Texas, to becoming a prominent figure in the commercial real estate sector in Dallas-Fort Worth. He discusses the importance of effective time management, direct communication, and cold calling in his career. Webb reflects on his experiences at Stream Realty and the founding of Silver Oak Commercial Realty. He highlights his involvement in farm and ranch real estate, challenges in city planning and development, and the importance of the Texas Tech Real Estate Center. Webb also talks about his personal passions, impactful books, favorite music, and his dedication to charitable endeavors like Make A Wish and scholarships for college students.

Timestamps:

00:00 The Football Mentality: Directness and Time Management

01:10 Catching Up with an Old Friend: Russ Webb

02:46 Childhood and Family Background

03:26 College Days at Texas Tech

12:34 Early Career and Mentorship

21:47 Starting Silver Oak: The Journey to Entrepreneurship

33:51 Challenges in Real Estate Development

35:18 Importance of Time Management

00:33 Effective Communication in Business

38:55 Opportunities in Texas Real Estate

42:45 Texas Tech Real Estate Center

47:00 The C-Suite Closers

Check out Silver Oak Commercial Realty Here:

https://silveroakcre.com/

You can find Russ on LinkedIn Here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-webb-a947b738/

Help out Make-a-Wish using the link here:

https://wish.org/

Check out Great State Hat here!

greatstatehat.com

Help support the podcast by subscribing!

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Interested in my real estate brokerage firm? Check it out here: Paladin Partners!