The Fort - An Entrepreneurship Podcast

Jack Fraker is President and Global Head of Industrial & Logistics Capital Markets for Newmark. He is responsible for driving Newmark’s industrial & logistics business, primarily capital markets but also leasing.

Jack has personally completed over 1,800 industrial & logistics capital markets transactions totaling 1.5 billion square feet | $85 billion in more than 60 U.S. cities, Mexico, Europe, Japan, and South America. He has also advised on approximately 12,000 acres of development sites and over 300 office/industrial leasing assignments. As a partner with other firms prior to Newmark, Jack was cumulatively involved in over 3.3 billion square feet | $220 billion in various projects.

We discuss:

We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners. 

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Links

Newmark

Jack Fraker on LinkedIn

Topics

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:04:21) - Nokia ’94-’00

(00:11:20) - “Inventing” investment sales in the industrial world 

(00:17:20) - How is industrial positioned globally?

(00:20:56) - How is America viewed globally regarding industrial?

(00:23:37) - Is it harder to close deals with foreign investors vs. domestic ones?

(00:25:39) - What have you experienced in the market in the last 2 years?

(00:32:52) - What does a good spec developer look like and what does a bad one look like?

(00:38:28) - The pressure of AI on rents

(00:39:54) - Mexico

(00:41:57) - What does the future of Industrial look like for Texas?

(00:44:38 - Development, leasing, sales, and TI

(00:50:36) - What data do you pay attention to most when thinking about the industry?

(00:53:19) - Retail-to-industrial

(00:54:25) - Technology trends

(00:57:51) - How do multi-billion dollar deals get done?

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Paul Renner is a former Commander in the U.S. Navy, and was deployed in Operation Desert Storm as well as Afghanistan.  

We discuss:

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Topics

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:03:02) - How losing an election led to becoming speaker of the house of Florida

(00:04:30) - Reclaiming American Institutions

(00:10:57) - The uni party

(00:13:23) - The state of the Military

(00:16:42) - Ukraine and North Carolina

(00:20:05) - The military-industrial complex

(00:22:13) - China

(00:27:39) - Iran

(00:29:56) - Russia

(00:31:13) - Immigration

(00:33:29) - Is it possible to be a true public servant?

(00:36:08) - How much impact can you have with term limits?

(00:42:11) - Working with Ron DeSantis

(00:45:32) - Disney

(00:52:43) - Voter ID

(00:56:32) - Property Insurance & Florida RE

(00:59:57) - The Future of America

(01:06:40) - What can the average person do?

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Craig Hall is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, vintner, and philanthropist who founded HALL Group in 1968 at age 18 with $4,000 saved from small ventures that began at age ten. HALL Group comprises diverse entities in real estate, lending, winemaking, and startup investments. 

We discuss:

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Links

HALL Group

Topics

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:03:04) - Building a portfolio of 72,000 apartments and pivoting away from multifamily

(00:06:32) - Surviving the 80’s financial crisis 

(00:11:15) - What was your plan after divesting from multifamily?

(00:14:07) - Becoming your own partner

(00:15:36) - Building Frisco, TX

(00:24:10) - Mindset changes post-covid

(00:29:39) - Planning meeting structures

(00:31:55) - Building a wine business

(00:39:04) - Leveling the playing field for the American Dream

(00:41:03) - The state of the market

(00:44:46) - What types of deals are you looking for in this environment?

(00:47:12) - Craig’s passion for art

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Roe Patterson is a 29-year Energy Industry veteran. He has worked in, owned, and operated multiple businesses across the energy spectrum. He owns and invests in numerous companies inside and outside the energy space, playing varying roles in each venture’s governance including CEO, Chairman of the Board, Board Member, and Board Adviser. His latest venture, ClearWell Dynamics, LLC, is now the 4th largest U.S.-based well-servicing company in the United States oil and gas industry.

We discuss:

- Mitigating risk in Oilfield Services

- The loss of knowledge in the industry

- How to successfully acquire and integrate companies

We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners. 

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Links

Roe on LinkedIn

Topics

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:04:03) - Roe’s career

(00:09:20) - Being the son of the boss

(00:11:10) - M&A in the Oil and Gas industry

(00;17:37) - Mitigating risk in Oilfield services

(0:24:26) - Backfilling with technology

(00:29:00) - Roe on starting companies and joining Basic

(00:34:33) - Acquiring and Integrating companies

(00:43:35) - Becoming CEO & Oilfield Booms and busts

(01:00:57) - Building ClearWell Dynamics

Support our Sponsors

Vesto: https://www.vesto.com/fort

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Chris on Social Media:

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Robert Allen is the President and CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (FWEDP). A husband, father, and former Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Greg Abbott, Allen most recently served as President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC). His organization’s efforts have helped catapult Texas to a record-breaking number of Governor’s Cups as awarded by Site Selection Magazine. With Texas now home to the most Fortune 500 headquarters in America, Robert launched efforts at TxEDC to showcase all that Texas continues to offer to businesses.

We discuss:

We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners. 

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Links

The Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership

Robert on LinkedIn

Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership Board Members:

Mike Berry - President of Hillwood

John Goff - CEO of Goff Capital

Robert Isom - CEO of American Airlines

Greg Ulmer - Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin

Dan Berce - President and CEO of GM Financial

Lista Atherton - President & CEO of Bell

David Endicott - CEO of Alcon Laboratories

Katie Farmer - President & CEO of BNSF Railway

Elaine Agather - Managing Director & CEO of J.P. Morgan Private Bank in the Central U.S.

Marianne Auld - Managing Partner of Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP

Rusty Reid - Chairman and CEO of Higginbotham

Mayor Mattie Parker

Steve Montgomery - President and CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber

Topics

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:03:22) - Robert’s career in public service

(00:06:58) - What does an AG do?

(00:08:24) - Robert’s roles as deputy chief of staff for the Governor?

(00:09:40) - How does Texas prepare for disasters?

(00:13:36) - Becoming President/CEO of the Texas Economic Development

(00:15:59) - Marketing Texas

(00:19:06) - How does a corporate relocation happen?

(00:22:39) - Robert’s work today growing FWTX

(00:27:24) - The FW Economic Development Program

(00:30:42) - What were your key priorities on day one?

(00:37:44) - Who is Fort Worth?

(00:47:36) - Strengthening the workforce

(00:59:17) - The Election

(01:00:54) - How long do projects typically take?

(01:04:12) - The Great Bones in Fort Worth

(01:07:30) - What do 10k jobs coming in do for a city?

(01:09:53) - Fort Worth’s pipeline

(01:02:22) - 10-year predictions

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Vesto: https://www.vesto.com/fort

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Chris on Social Media:

The Fort Podcast on Twitter/X: https://x.com/theFORTpodcast

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Walt Reynolds is a senior leader in the electrical supply industry with over 30 years of executive experience. In 1998, he became President of The Reynolds Company and drove its explosive growth over the next two and half decades. Under his leadership, the company became one of the largest independent electrical distribution companies in the United States with 34 locations across Texas and Southwest US.

We discuss:

- Walt’s career and building The Reynolds Company

- Acquisitions theses and buying bankrupt companies

- ESOPs

- Leadership principles

- Working with friends

We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners. 

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Support our Sponsors

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Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:04:30) - To know you is to know your father

(00:08:50) - The history of the Reynolds Company and the electrical supply industry

(00:20:39) - Walt’s career

(00:43:43) - Scaling Reynolds

(00:48:29) - Working with your friends

(00:52:16) - Pivoting into acquisitions

(01:01:47) - Selling the business

(01:08:14) - ESOPs

(01:11:55) - Walt’s role post-close

(01:16:05) - Leadership Principals

Chris on Social Media:

The Fort Podcast on Twitter/X: https://x.com/theFORTpodcast

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

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd

Watch The Fort on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX

Visit our website: https://bit.ly/43SOvys

Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0

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Mark is currently the Chief Executive Officer of JLL Capital Markets, Americas. He also sits on JLL’s Global Capital Markets Board where he shares responsibility for the strategic direction, growth, and client activities of JLL’s global capital markets business.

We discuss:

We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners. 

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Links

JLL Capital Markets

Topics

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:03:32) - State of the Capital markets

(00:11:24) - How the FED is thinking about rates

(00:16:21) - Outcomes of a rate cut

(00:21:09) - The Detroit effect

(00:23:02) - Migration data

(00:25:34) - What types of deals are working in this environment?

(00:30:32) - Housing

(00:35:29) - The importance of Mexico

(00:36:45) - The state of Office

(00:46:19) - Foreign vs. Domestic Capital

(00:47:31) - The election

(00:48:33) - Equity markets

(00:54:01) - M&A Activity

(00:57:08) - Unique strategies

(01:00:12) - Data centers

(01:03:00) - Secondary markets

(01:05:26) - The Detroit effect in real estate

(01:06:57) - AI

(01:07:33) - Tenant migration

(01:09:07) - 2025 forecasts & trends

Corrections:

• RE the election topic, one statistic was transposed: It was stated 2.3% more in the first quarter in terms of transactions, and in actuality, the number is 3.2%.

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Chris on Social Media:

The Fort Podcast on Twitter/X: https://x.com/theFORTpodcast

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Watch The Fort on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX

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The FORT is produced by Johnny Podcasts

Chico West is a LPC therapist, coach, and consultant.  He works with on-site programs and for Construction companies and has a private practice with over 34 years of continuous sobriety.

We discuss:

- Common themes around addiction

- Marriage

- Therapy and Counseling in the C-Suite

We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners. 

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Links

Chico West Counseling

Chico on LinkedIn

Topics

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:06) - Be a Buffalo, not a cow

(00:03:19) - Life before sobriety

(00:13:03) - Believing in Jesus

(00:16:58) - Common themes around addiction

(00:22:23) - Following a higher power vs. following Christ 

(00:24:33) - What does your work look like today?

(00:27:34) - What do you tell people who want to quit booze?

(00:31:20) - How do you deal with the weight of when people fail at this work?

(00:37:28) - Men & Women

(00:42:20) - Is addiction nature or nurture?

(00:45:37) - Gordon Highlander

(00:55:16) - Is mental health overplayed?

(00:59:59) - Closing advice

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Chris on Social Media:

The Fort Podcast on Twitter/X: https://x.com/theFORTpodcast

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The FORT is produced by Johnny Podcasts

Jason is the General Partner and Co-Founder of Highmount Capital, a unique investment firm focused on growth stage and middle market investments in transformative technology and other growth-related platforms. He is the former Managing Director and founding member of Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), the venture and growth arm of Koch Industries, the largest privately-held company in the US with over $130B in revenue. Jason was responsible for helping KDT grow to billions in AUM across 40+ companies.

We discuss:

- What makes a great venture partner

- What venture firms look for in late-stage companies

- The process of making a $100mm investment in DudePerfect

We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners. 

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Links:

Dude Perfect

Highmount Capital

Jason on X

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:05:23) - Jason's Early career

(00:10:03) - What makes a great venture partner 

(00:13:23) - Joining Koch Industries

(00:15:18) - Building the venture framework for Koch

(00:19:48) - What does a great late-stage company look like in the eyes of a venture firm?

(00:26:40) - Founding Highmount Capital

(00:29:56) - Building a great origination engine

(00:35:44) - Investing in Dude Perfect

(00:40:18) - The craving for family-friendly brands

(00:44:10) - How do you think about your role post-investment?

(00:46:44) - What are unique ways to make money in the creator economy?

(00:54:14) - Are the Dudes a technology business or technology-enabled business?

(00:57:34) - How do you find a CEO for a company like DudePerfect? 

(01:01:18) - How is Highmount structured?

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The Fort Podcast on Twitter/X: https://x.com/theFORTpodcast

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As the CEO of KDC, Steve Van Amburgh manages the firm’s strategic planning while coordinating new business development efforts. He also oversees KDC’s acquisition and development activities. Under his leadership, KDC completed over 154 corporate build-to-suit office and industrial projects valued at over $11 billion and totaling more than 37 million square feet.

We discuss:

- The process for developing corporate campuses for the likes of State Farm

- The state of the office and construction market

- Working with cities and municipalities as a developer

We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners. 

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Links:

KDC

Topics

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:06:09) - Steve’s early career

(00:14:10) - Buying Koll Company

(00:22:47) - The importance of focus

(00:25:59) - How corporate campus deals come together

(00:33:00) - Negotiating the deal

(00:38:48) - Architecture and design

(00:42:46) - Budgeting and planning

(00:46:27) - The impact of change orders

(00:48:26) - When does your work on a project end? 

(00:51:05) - The state of the market

(00:55:46) - Capital markets

(00:58:33) - Is there a market for these assets?

(01:00:24) - Max bid deals

(01:01:04) - What’s the hardest part of a project?

(01:03:19) - Brokers

(01:06:25) - How cities can help themselves and developers

Support our Sponsors

Vesto: https://www.vesto.com/fort

Fort: https://bit.ly/FortCompanies

Follow Fort on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fort-companies/

Chris on Social Media:

The Fort Podcast on Twitter/X: https://x.com/theFORTpodcast

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

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd

Watch The Fort on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3oynxNX

Visit our website: https://bit.ly/43SOvys

Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0

Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO 

The FORT is produced by Johnny Podcasts