On this episode of the Industrial Real Estate Show, I sat down with Allen Buchanan, a veteran broker and author of The Sequence, a framework for brokers to succeed in the industry. Allen shared his journey from growing up in a family business to starting out at Procter & Gamble, before eventually finding his way into commercial real estate back in 1984. Over 41 years, he has built his entire career in Southern California with Lee & Associates, watching both his firm and the industrial market grow into global leaders. He explained how market dynamics shifted dramatically through the pandemic, with skyrocketing rents, surging development, and now a tenant-friendly environment as supply balances out with softer demand.We also dug into his motivation for writing The Sequence. For Allen, the book is both a tactical roadmap and a legacy piece, weaving lessons from his career, mentorship experiences, and life inflection points. He emphasized the importance of defining your “why” before jumping into brokerage, seeking mentorship, and aligning with the right company and asset class. He also spoke about the industry’s evolution, how AI and data are reshaping competition, and why training, mentorship, and coaching are critical for brokerages to reduce high attrition rates. Looking ahead, Allen plans to continue writing, mentoring, and training new brokers, all while balancing his passion for real estate with family travel and personal goals.Buy Allen's new book: https://www.amazon.com/SEQUENCE-Perso...--🚨 New! "Industrialize: The Insider's Guide to Industrial Real Estate" is now available: https://mybook.to/industrialize--🚩 Subscribe:    / @industrialize  #industrialize #industrialinsiders #industrialrealestate

On this episode of the Industrial Real Estate Show, I sat down with my friend and fellow author Amy Calandrino to talk about what it’s really like to write and publish a book. Amy shared her story of burnout and how that ultimately inspired her to write, while I reflected on my own process and how the hardest parts weren’t the writing itself but publishing and especially marketing. We compared what worked for us, what didn’t, and how both of us underestimated just how much effort it takes to sell a book once it’s out in the world.

From there, we dug into marketing strategies, including some unorthodox approaches I tried like memes, funny videos, and cringey-but-effective tactics that actually helped spark attention. I admitted I’d do things differently next time (better planning, more coordination, and a clearer business plan) but also recognized that selling a book is a long game. We agreed that unlike real estate, book sales build slowly, and it takes persistence, creativity, and consistent effort. At the end of the day, I came away with a deeper appreciation for the process and the importance of weaving my book naturally into everything I do moving forward.

Connect with Amy:

Website: https://www.amycalandrino.com/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Real-P...

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In this episode of the Industrial Real Estate Show, Tyler Maddox from MCA Realty shares his 35-year journey from brokerage to leading a Western US-focused industrial investment firm. MCA targets small to mid-bay industrial properties in primary and secondary markets from Texas westward, avoiding tertiary areas due to lower liquidity. Starting in 2011, they concentrated on multi-tenant assets with below-market rents, improving and stabilizing them before selling or refinancing. Their first fund of $50 million launched in 2020, followed by a $100 million second fund in 2024. Maddox explains that their strategy has remained consistent through market shifts, focusing on under-managed assets owned by private investors and upgrading them to capture rent growth, while minimizing risk through tenant diversity.

He emphasizes that small-bay industrial is operationally intensive compared to big-box single-tenant buildings, with challenges such as managing mom-and-pop tenants, short leases, credit risk, and varying eviction laws. Despite these hurdles, limited new supply supports resilience in rents and occupancy. Maddox also notes emerging issues like increasing tenant power demands amid strained electrical infrastructure, as well as opportunities in industrial condominiums for owner-users. He credits MCA’s success to quick decision-making, discretionary capital, and a strong, complementary team, and sees continued long-term opportunity in the small-bay space due to its scarcity and tenant demand.

About Tyler:

Mr. Mattox is a Principal at MCA Realty and is responsible for directing the investment related activities including the acquisition, development and disposition of all investments, as well as oversight on the firms asset management. Mr. Mattox has over 33 years of broad based real estate experience.

Prior to MCA Realty, Mr. Mattox was the Principal Owner of Mattox Property Services, an opportunistic real estate investment and development company that identified and acquired underperforming assets. In this role, he managed all facets of the repositioning process, including acquisitions, financial underwriting, debt and equity capitalization and physical due diligence. Prior to the formation of Mattox Property Services, Mr. Mattox was employed by CBRE and during his tenure rose to the level of Senior Vice President, the highest office available to producers at the time of his departure.

Connect with Tyler:

Website: https://mca-realty.com/tyler-mattox/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-mattox-6723218

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In this episode of The Industrial Real Estate Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with Vance Lazar from Pioneer Architecture. Vance has a long and impressive background in architectural design, with a strong focus on logistics and industrial facilities. He walked me through his career path, from early work in visualization to launching his own firm that's dedicated to logistics. Vance prefers the term "logistics" over "industrial" because he believes the field is all about speed, efficiency, and true collaboration.

We covered a lot of ground, including site planning, ceiling heights, bay spacing, and growing power demands from electrification and automation. Vance talked about the importance of understanding local markets and how design needs shift from place to place, like Phoenix versus Indiana. He also highlighted how critical it is to work closely with partners across all disciplines, whether it’s engineers or contractors, to avoid missteps and improve project outcomes.

One of the most fascinating parts was Vance’s explanation of how his team uses Revit and advanced visualization tools to create immersive virtual walk-throughs. Clients can experience a space before a shovel hits the ground, which helps speed up the entire process. We wrapped up with a personal moment, as Vance shared that his son is starting an internship in logistics and that my book played a small part in inspiring that path. It was a great conversation and I really appreciated his insight.

About:

Vance Lazar, originally born in Las Vegas but raised in California alongside his identical twin brother Kirk, has returned to his roots by obtaining his architectural license in Nevada. With extensive expertise spanning six other States including Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky – Lazar’s homecoming promises a blend of fresh perspectives and innovative designs for Nevada’s Logistics Market.

Reflecting on his hometown roots, Lazar reminisces, “Though raised in California, Vegas has always been in my blood. We used to joke that we were born on a craps table, with Mom rolling snake eyes.”

Local stakeholders eagerly anticipate collaborating with Lazar on upcoming projects, recognizing his talent as a driving force behind elevating Nevada’s built environment. With his license secured, Lazar is prepared to redefine the architectural narrative of his beloved Las Vegas and beyond, including the industrial spaces vital to the state’s economic landscape.

Connect:

Website: http://pioneerarchitecture.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vance-lazar-1975a412

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In this episode of The Industrial Real Estate Show, I sat down with Rick Walker, a guest with an incredibly diverse background. He built a company to 400 employees, scaled a nonprofit into 50 countries, ran for Congress, and even had a one-on-one meeting with President Trump. Rick shared how he transitioned into real estate by rolling his broker fees into equity, which led to launching a $500 million fund focused on industrial development in Texas. We covered a lot of ground, including current market conditions, challenges around site selection and power access, and the growing concern of rising property taxes. We also talked about his new book, which is full of practical advice for men looking to find purpose and take action. One idea that stood out to me was his concept of choosing a "worthy enemy" as a way to spark momentum. His message about hope really resonated. Even a small amount, he said, can push back against any threat.

About Rick:

Rick began in the poverty of a two-bedroom home, with big dreams and low self esteem. Borrowing $1,000 from his Mom he founded and took one business to 400 employees by the time he was 26. He scaled another company into 6 states. At the same time he led a nonprofit expansion into 53 countries and added over a thousand staff. All in his 20’s and 30’s while dealing with personal and health issues. And even with terrorists threatening him.

Now in his late 40’s, he advises some of the world’s most powerful families and for the first time reveals his simplified 9 Steps process.

His podcasts and talks communicate deep insights into how mankind functions, rooted in his acquired knowledge of ancient literature, world religions, strategy, and the arts. His central claim is that each of these domains communicates truth.

His background beyond business includes serving as Chairman of a $150MM charitable foundation and director of a Middle Eastern religious college, concurrently. He hosts a podcast featuring long-form conversations with the most powerful members of the US Senate, US House of Representatives, the Presidential Cabinet, Fortune 500 CEOs, billionaires, and fellow multi-domain polymaths.

Rick currently serves at a private equity firm he founded with a group of wealthy families and is the author of a forthcoming book on seeing through the world. Residing in Texas with his wife of 23 years and three mostly teenage daughters, his free time is consumed by sports, ballet lessons, and secret milkshake runs.

His 3:30 AM wake-up call helps fit everything in.

Rick’s Book (9 Steps to Build a Life of Meaning):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4LS82GP?maas=maas_adg_654449B84E0741CBE9174F2514BACA9C_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas

Rick’s Newsletter: https://funnel.rickwalker.com/optin?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=hostlastname

Rick on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rickwalkertx

Rick on X: https://x.com/RickWalkerTX

Rick at Lumicre Private Equity: https://lumicre.com/

Rick’s Website: https://www.rickwalker.com

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In this episode of the Industrial Real Estate Show, I sit down with Clint Murphy, a seasoned finance and real estate professional with over $2 billion in transaction experience. We explore how investment theses are shaped in both residential and industrial markets, and how different asset types can be compared to blue-chip, dividend, and growth stocks. Clint shares his experience transitioning from CFO to developer, breaking down the real risks and complexities of the development cycle. We also dive into land constraints, zoning issues, shifting market conditions, and why deep expertise matters more than ever in today’s uncertain landscape. Whether you’re a real estate investor, developer, or just curious about how big deals come together, this episode is packed with insight.

About Clint:

Clint has been in finance and real estate for 25+ years, including eight years at KPMG and 10 years as the CFO for one of Vancouver’s largest developers where he oversaw IT, Tax, Capital, Finance and Accounting. In the last fourteen years, Clint has been involved with the acquisition, development and delivery of over $2 billion of real estate.

When he’s not at work, you can find him reading a book, hosting a podcast, writing a newsletter or spending time with his wife and two teenage boys at the rink or football field.

Connect with Clint:

The Growth Guide: https://thegrowth.guide/

Frame Properties: https://www.frame.properties/

X: https://x.com/IAmClintMurphy

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In this episode of The Industrial Real Estate Show, Jeff Deehan of Dymaxion Development shares how his passion for city-building (first sparked by playing SimCity as a kid) evolved into a career in real-world development. Based in Lansing, Michigan, Deehan’s firm takes a hyper-local, mixed-asset approach, developing multifamily, industrial, and even community-scale projects within a 100-mile radius. Rather than chasing population or job growth trends, he starts with a property or area that’s underutilized and reimagines how it can be integrated into the broader economic and social fabric of the region. His firm simultaneously tackles construction, development, and asset management, giving them long-term flexibility and the ability to solve problems in real time.

Deehan discusses the difference between multifamily and industrial development, noting that industrial is typically easier to construct and manage but often faces more public resistance when outside traditional industrial zones. Conversely, multifamily projects generally face less pushback but come with different financing and entitlement dynamics. He also stresses the value of relationship-building in his market, spending hours each day speaking with brokers and local businesses to understand their needs and uncover opportunities.

When it comes to capital deployment, Dymaxion maintains a 50/50 balance between acquisitions and development, focusing on long-term value creation rather than speculative growth. For those looking to get into development, Deehan offers frank advice: start small, avoid overleveraging, and ensure you’re creating value you can live with—because development is rewarding, but definitely not for the faint of heart.

Connect with Jeff:

Website: https://www.dymaxionde...

X: https://x.com/Jeffdeehan

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In this episode of The Industrial Real Estate Show, Chad Griffiths welcomes returning guest Deren Huang, an industrial investor based in Tulsa. The interview kicks off with a fun lightning-round game where Deren challenges Chad to blindly rank various investments (from gold and Bitcoin to Olive Garden leases and drive-thru wedding chapels). The playful setup leads to insightful discussions about risk tolerance, asset classes, and how personal experience and logic influence investment preferences. Chad consistently favors predictable, scalable investments like the S&P 500 and industrial real estate, while expressing skepticism about novelty concepts and collectibles like vintage guitars.

The conversation then shifts into a deeper dive on Darren’s evolution from owning over 100 single-family homes to now managing over 200,000 square feet of industrial real estate in Tulsa. He shares candid lessons from early mistakes (such as overvaluing clear height at the expense of location and functionality) and emphasizes key attributes like geometry, site coverage, and access. Darren outlines his buy-box, investment strategy, and how he creatively financed properties during volatile interest rate shifts. He also discusses his transition from residential to industrial, the operational benefits of triple net leases, and his plans to pursue infill development. The interview closes with thoughtful advice to aspiring investors: start by learning the fundamentals, get to know your local market, and always remember that even in commercial real estate, you’re still dealing with people.

Connect with Deren:

Website: https://www.derenhuang.com/tulsa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derenhuang

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In this episode of The Industrial Real Estate Show, Chad Griffiths is joined by co-host Matt Carroll and returning guest Dr. Jim Tompkins to discuss the current state of global trade, tariffs, and how these issues are impacting supply chains and industrial real estate. Dr. Tompkins breaks down the rationale behind U.S. tariffs under President Trump, arguing that while they have caused short-term pain, they are strategically aimed at rebalancing decades of trade deficits. He explains that tariffs, when combined with tax and regulatory strategies, can strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce dependency on adversarial trade relationships. He compares this approach to adjusting a basketball strategy at halftime—adaptability, not inconsistency, is the goal.

The conversation transitions into a broader discussion of “reglobalization,” where supply chains are being restructured for resilience instead of just low cost. Dr. Tompkins outlines how companies should evaluate where to locate operations based on industry clusters, such as semiconductors in Phoenix, Austin, and Columbus, or pharmaceuticals in Boston, New Jersey, and North Carolina. He stresses the importance of optionality—diversifying suppliers and manufacturing locations—and points out how tools and government resources can help small and mid-sized businesses adapt. He concludes on an optimistic note, saying uncertainty is lifting and businesses should stop waiting and start preparing.

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With over a decade of experience in Office and Industrial Real Estate Tenant/User Representation across Costa Rica and Central America, Alvaro has worked closely with leading multinational companies such as Roche, Microsoft, Penumbra, Pfizer, Auxis, DHL, and others with operations in the region.

He has collaborated both within his global firm and alongside competing firms that lack a direct presence in these markets—always respecting the source of business and prioritizing strong, long-term broker-to-broker relationships, regardless of the CRE firm involved. His specialties include site selection, buyer representation, build-to-suit (BTS) projects, and lease negotiations, all with the goal of helping companies secure the right space to support their growth and operations.

Recognized as a top producer in the region, he is actively expanding his network and building partnerships with brokers and companies interested in nearshoring to Costa Rica and Central America.

Connect with Alvaro:

LinkedIn: https://cr.linkedin.com/in/ajcortes

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