Icons of DC Area Real Estate

John Coe
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An interview show with leading commercial and multifamily real estate participants in various disciplines. John Coe, a 41 year real estate finance professional, will interview many of his long time friends and past clients to learn about their backgrounds and what brought them into the income producing real estate business. He will probe into their career paths and what they have learned along the way, highlighting their successes, failures and lessons learned. Each episode will explore the interviewee's individual perspective and offer unique views of their particular expertise and where the trends are leading.

  1. 6d ago

    Every Experience Is an Opportunity: Kelly Nagel on Building a CRE Career (#154)

    Bio Kelly Sewell Nagel is the Steers Endowed Professor of the Practice in Real Estate and Head of Real Estate at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Her career spans management consulting with Accenture, federal service as a senior program manager at the Defense Intelligence Agency, and real estate roles at Regency Centers, Archstone, and AvalonBay Communities, followed by leadership of Aimco’s East Coast investments and a national residential platform at EDENS. She is founder of Residy, an advisory practice built around her Near Enemies framework, a ULI trustee, chair of ULI’s Urban Development & Mixed Use Bronze Product Council, and senior advisor to ULI Americas’ Women’s Leadership Initiative. Episode Summary Georgetown real estate professor Kelly Sewell Nagel’s career has moved through consulting, government, commercial real estate, entrepreneurship, advising, and education. In this conversation, she explains why those chapters feel cumulative rather than disconnected: each gave her another way to understand how people and organizations make decisions. Kelly reflects on entering real estate because it connected analysis to tangible outcomes, and on founding Residy during a period when market conditions changed the assumptions behind her investment thesis. She discusses acting with incomplete information, knowing when to adapt, and treating each experience as a source of perspective. A central theme is Kelly’s work on “near enemies”: behaviors that resemble a virtue but can become counterproductive when overused. Competence, for example, can become over-functioning - continuing to carry work that should belong to others. Kelly describes using questions, evidence, and curiosity to help people see these patterns for themselves, while guarding against the risk that pattern recognition becomes confirmation bias. As an educator at Georgetown, Kelly is also considering how real estate education should change as AI makes analysis faster and information easier to obtain. Her emphasis is on fundamentals, judgment, discernment, and the ability to explain an investment decision clearly. She and John also discuss the importance of communication, analytics, design, and hospitality in a profession that serves people through the built environment. In This Conversation (00:00) Introduction (02:05) How frequent childhood moves shaped Kelly’s adaptability (07:50) What she learned in consulting and at the Defense Intelligence Agency (13:16) Why commercial real estate appealed to her (27:50) Founding Residy and adapting when market conditions changed (48:39) Near enemies, over-functioning, and leadership blind spots (86:20) How AI may change real estate education (103:19) What it means to pass capability forward Career Stewardship Connection The conversation begins with a question at the heart of Career Stewardship: What should remain true about you as your roles and circumstances change? Kelly’s recurring commitments - to curiosity, learning, listening, adaptability, and helping others build capability - offer one answer. Clarity: Looking back, Kelly sees the through-lines in a career that did not follow a straight path. Her experience with Residy also shows how to test a thesis and reconsider it when conditions change. Connection: Mentors, colleagues, students, and long-held relationships shaped her path. Leadership: The “near enemies” idea helps identify when a strength has outgrown its usefulness. Competence can turn into over-functioning; confidence can harden into certainty. Legacy: Kelly wants to pass capability forward through teaching, curriculum, and advising - so others can make stronger decisions without depending on her for every answer. Billboard Message “Every experience is... Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction to Icons of DC Area Real Estate(00:01:02) - Overview of Kelly Nagle's Career(00:02:49) - Family Background and Early Lessons(00:04:02) - Military Upbringing and Adaptability(00:05:47) - College Years at Washington and Lee(00:08:29) - Lessons from Accenture, IBM, and the DIA(00:11:28) - Mentorship and Strong Women in Leadership(00:14:02) - Finding a Path into Commercial Real Estate(00:17:12) - Business School at Kenan-Flagler and Networking(00:18:48) - Making Sense of a Varied Career(00:22:41) - Stripping Away Framing to Find the Real Problem(00:24:42) - Constant Values Across a Changing Career(00:28:38) - Knowing When to Stay, Adapt, or Leave(00:31:53) - Launching Reside and Facing Market Shifts(00:33:45) - Deciding Without Complete Information(00:37:19) - Resilience, Antifragility, and Trusting Your Gut(00:40:58) - When Market Narratives Change(00:44:38) - Good Real Estate and Shifting Value Over Time(00:47:50) - Career Transitions and Collecting Perspectives(00:49:17) - Origins of the 'Near Enemies' Concept(00:53:58) - Near Enemies in Parenting and Leadership(00:56:44) - Explaining Near Enemies Simply(00:59:40) - Confronting Your Own Near Enemies(01:02:14) - Near Enemies of Real Estate Virtues(01:03:48) - The Role of Partners in Finding Blind Spots(01:06:17) - Diagnosing the Real Problem Behind the Symptom(01:08:30) - Testing a Near Enemy Diagnosis(01:11:37) - Loyalty, Silence, and Speaking Difficult Truths(01:15:03) - Ron Silverman: A True Mentor and Listener(01:18:47) - Evolving Definition of Leadership(01:21:55) - Exercising Influence Without Full Authority(01:23:13) - Joining and Growing Through ULI(01:26:42) - Joining Georgetown's Steers Center(01:29:03) - Teaching Real Estate Finance Fundamentals(01:35:33) - Real Assets vs. Real Estate at Georgetown(01:37:43) - AI, Judgment, and the Future of Real Estate Education(01:41:58) - The Three-Legged Stool: Communication, Analytics, Design(01:43:58) - Legacy, Passing Forward, and Final Reflections

    Every Experience Is an Opportunity: Kelly Nagel on Building a CRE Career (#154)

  2. Oct 6

    Architecting Your CRE Career The Path of Stewardship (#153)

    Bio John Coe is the host of Icons of DC Area Real Estate and founder of Coe Enterprises. Over more than four decades in commercial real estate finance, he began his career at Prudential, then ABKO Properties, Homart Development, and CB Commercial for the first 6 years of his career. Then he spent time as a partner at Ceres Capital Partners before founding Coe Enterprises in 2015, where he focuses on capital raising and mentoring. A longtime ULI mentor, John launched this podcast in 2019 and the Iconic Journeys in CRE community in 2021. Episode Overview How do commercial real estate professionals navigate career transitions without simply reacting to whatever comes next? In this solo episode, John Coe draws on more than 150 Icons conversations and his own crossroads to make the case for building an internal "career architecture" grounded in stewardship. Key themes: Career Drift vs. Career Architecture: Moving away from reactive job sequences by establishing "Career Invariants" - core qualities, obligations, and contributions that remain constant as titles, markets, and companies change. Four Centers of Gravity: The evolving developmental stages of a professional life: Clarity, Connection, Leadership, and Legacy. Personal Case Studies: Moving from Chicago brokerage to a stable Washington platform in 1985 after a failed commission, and transitioning from a partnership at Ceres Capital to founding Coe Enterprises in 2015. The Sigmoid Curve: Starting a new curve of contribution while the current one is still succeeding. The CRE Career Stewardship Advisory: A ten-week, small-cohort program to help professionals build a personal operating system for principled decision-making. Chapters (00:00) Intro: In 1985, a commission John was counting on didn't close. Stay in Chicago or move to Washington? It raised the question at the heart of this episode: when your circumstances change, what should remain true about you? (02:07) From Operating System To Sanctuary: Building on the JBG "career operating system" and the Bozzuto episode on sanctuary, John asks whether a person needs an operating system too. (04:35) Career Drift vs. Career Architecture: Why careers are rarely linear, how drift can look like success. (07:41) Career Invariants: Why "career invariants" should stay recognizably yours across every chapter. An architect can't control the market, but can identify the load-bearing elements. (11:26) Four Centers of Gravity: Clarity, connection, leadership, and legacy as shifting centers of gravity, not stages you finish and leave behind, each asking its own question, from "Where am I going?" to "What am I here to pass forward?" (13:25) Case One: Chicago or Washington: After a failed commission left the household without a cushion, John argues both sides of the 1985 decision to join B.F. Saul, a move that "redesigned the risk" and led to 19 years through three owners. (19:00) Connection To Leadership: Earning trust before authority, learning judgment in the room at ULI, and the roles of curator, translator, bridge, mentor, and steward. (21:44) Case Two: Join a Platform or Build One: After his Ceres Capital partners moved on, John weighs another platform against founding Coe Enterprises in 2015, launching the podcast and community, and legacy as "ambition enlarged by responsibility." (27:07) The Advisory: Starting the next curve before the current one flattens, the ten-week CRE Career Stewardship Advisory, and closing questions: is your current curve still developing you, and what must remain true about you? (31:05) Listener's Mirror and Closing Resou...

  3. Aug 14

    The Architecture of Enduring Stewardship How The Bozzuto Group Creates Sanctuary (#152)

    This episode explores the concept of "Sanctuary" in commercial real estate, examining how the Bozzuto Group creates a culture that transcends development and management to prioritize human dignity and long-term stewardship. Host John Coe interviews Tom Bozzuto, Julie Smith, and Toby Bozzuto to discuss the four pillars of career stewardship: Clarity, Connection, Leadership, and Legacy. Key Time-Stamped Highlights [0:02 - 1:44] Foundations of Culture: Tom Bozzuto explains the necessity of defining organizational values early. The company centers its entire culture around four simple, one-word values: Concern, Creativity, Passion, and Perfection. [2:02 - 3:39] Defining Sanctuary: Julie Smith discusses the origins of the "sanctuary" philosophy, emphasizing that housing moves are driven by life changes and that property management should treat residents as friends for life. [13:19 - 16:28] Hiring Strategy: Tom Bozzuto details the company's hiring mantra: "It's a lot easier to hire a nice person and teach them skills than it is to hire a skilled person and teach them to be nice". [31:53 - 34:32] The Total Experience: Toby Bozzuto discusses the theatrical side of real estate, highlighting the importance of "proprietary scents," curated art, and music in creating an immersive, welcoming environment. [41:13 - 44:13] Ethical Boundaries in Leadership: Toby Bozzuto explains the decision to turn down profitable assignments if the client's ethics do not align with the company's culture, noting that leadership is defined by what you are willing to protect. [46:52 - 48:35] Equitable Sanctuary: Toby Bozzuto discusses the company's work with affordable housing partnerships, asserting that residents in affordable units should receive the same high-level treatment as those in luxury condominiums. [52:37 - 54:25] Preparing for Succession: Julie Smith outlines the long-term process of identifying and mentoring Stephanie Williams, emphasizing that succession requires proximity, shared work, and expanded responsibility. [1:03:17 - 1:04:18] Transitioning Leadership: Tom Bozzuto reflects on his transition to Chairman and the importance of stepping back to allow his successor to truly lead the day-to-day operations. Resources Tom Bozzuto — Episode 9: Amazing "Reflections" on a Life Well Lived | The Bozzuto Group | LinkedIn Toby Bozzuto — Episode 90: Artistically Providing Sanctuary | The Bozzuto Group | LinkedIn Julie Smith — Episode 48: Smooth Operator | The Bozzuto Group | LinkedIn Chapters (00:00:00) - The Leasing Company's(00:01:55) - In the Elevator With Bozzuto(00:03:36) - The Secret to Servant Leadership(00:05:01) - What Kind of Professional Culture Does JBG Real Estate Have?(00:06:50) - The Real Estate Company: A Sanctuary(00:08:29) - The Basuto Group's Sanctuary Culture(00:11:16) - The Need for a Culture(00:18:05) - The Core Values of Busuto Property Management(00:21:28) - Living Continues: Stewardship(00:28:39) - Building for the Soul(00:34:40) - The Physical Experience of Leadership(00:38:04) - Act 4 Leadership: What are you willing to Protect?(00:43:24) - Busuto's Affordable Housing Partners(00:48:45) - The Legacy of a Leader(00:58:56) - The Process of Succession in Families(01:00:19) - Tom Buzzuto on His Transition to Chairman(01:02:37) - What is the biggest success of your experience forming the company?(01:04:22) - The Four Pillars of CREAM: Career Stewardship(01:08:22) - Commercial Real Estate Career Stewardship Advisory

  4. Jul 24

    Icons of DC 151 - The JBG Career Operating System: A Case Study in CRE Stewardship (#151)

    Bio This special compilation episode departs from the usual one-on-one format. Host John C. Coe draws on past interviews with leaders connected to JBG and JBG Smith — Matt Kelly (CEO, JBG Smith), Todd Rich (Declaration Partners), Moina Banerjee (CFO, JBG Smith), Evan Regan Levine, A.J. Jackson (Washington Housing Initiative / LEO Impact Capital), and Grant Ehat (JBG co-founder) — to reverse-engineer what he calls the "JBG Career Operating System": five principles mapped to four levels of career stewardship — clarity, connection, leadership, legacy. The thesis: enduring CRE careers aren't built by chasing opportunity, but by cultivating the judgment, trust, and generosity required to build something that outlasts you. Key Discussion Points Introduction & Framework [00:00-4:19] Coe frames a real estate career not as opportunities to extract value from, but as a practice of stewardship — asking whether professionals are intentionally designing their careers or simply reacting to what comes their way. Principle 1: Solve for the People First [4:19-10:35] Matt Kelly recalls his father's advice and a formative early-career experience at Goldman Sachs — watching an ailing VP spend his final months at the office — that convinced him colleagues matter more than prestige. How JBG's senior leaders gave young talent real room to run instead of hoarding opportunity. Principle 2: Earn Trust Before Authority [10:39-19:46] Todd Rich on stewarding other people's capital and JBG's "minority rule" culture, where one partner's unresolved concern could stop a deal. Moina Banerjee traces her path from acquisitions to CFO and shares her billboard message on attitude, inspired by a framed Charles Swindoll quote on a mentor's office wall. Principle 3: Learn Judgment in the Room [19:46-31:52] Evan Regan Levine on what he learned watching senior leaders vehemently disagree, with respect, inside investment committee meetings. A.J. Jackson shares a personal account of decision-making at GSA in Lower Manhattan on 9/11, with "no playbook and no one else to ask." Principle 4: Share the Pie to Increase the Pie [31:57-38:50] Grant Ehat on trusting instincts on people, valuing character and loyalty in hiring decisions made alongside JBG co-founders Jim and Rob, and why cultures that develop young talent compound it rather than lose it. Principle 5: Build Beyond Yourself [38:50-44:55] Evan Regan Levine on National Landing and the intersection of communication, analytics, and design in shaping real places. A.J. Jackson on deploying private capital at scale to preserve affordable workforce housing as neighborhoods improve. Synthesis & Billboard Messages [44:55-50:06] Coe ties the five principles into one arc — clarity, connection, leadership, legacy — closing with guest billboard messages: Matt Kelly, "Be kind to one another." Todd Rich, "Have fun." Moina Banerjee, "Fortune favors the brave." A.J. Jackson, "Stronger together." Evan Regan Levine, "The future is built here." Synthesis: build trust, share opportunity, steward the future. Guest Episodes Referenced Matt Kelly: https://icons-of-dc-area-real-estate.castos.com/episodes/matt-kelly-finding-a-smooth-landing-path-for-jbg-smith-27 Todd Rich: https://icons-of-dc-area-real-estate.castos.com/episodes/todd-rich-family-office-private-equity-investor-81 Moina Banerjee: https://icons-of-dc-area-real-estate.castos.c... Chapters (00:00:00) - Indispensable Real Estate Leaders: The JBG Smith Story(00:07:25) - JBG Career Operating System: Career Stewardship(00:10:52) - Real Estate Career Stewardship(00:17:00) - The importance of attitude in the workplace(00:23:00) - Real Estate: The Need for Competence(00:25:29) - Jehovah's Witness to the 911 Crisis(00:31:52) - JBG Real Estate's 4 Rules for Leadership(00:39:42) - Real Estate Success: Decisions Made, Communities Shaped(00:44:56) - The JBG Career Operating System(00:47:28) - Icons of Real Estate: Steward the Future

    Icons of DC 151 - The JBG Career Operating System: A Case Study in CRE Stewardship (#151)

  5. Jul 1

    Marc Menick: Stewardship and Strategy in Guiding KLNB Through Industry Disruptions (#150)

    Bio Marc Menick is President and COO of KLNB, a leading partner-owned CRE firm in DC. He spent nearly 20 years as a key Peterson Companies executive, helping shape developments like National Harbor and Downtown Silver Spring, before becoming KLNB's first non-broker President in 2017. Host: John Coe. Key Discussion Points Origins and Educational Foundation [2:04-7:16] Started in private wealth management at 23; found it impersonal and was drawn to CRE after watching friends work directly with small business owners. Broke in via Jay Donegan, Grant Ehat, and Taylor Chess, landing at The Peterson Companies. Maryland built independence and relationships; Johns Hopkins gave the technical grounding (DCF modeling) for credibility. The Peterson Companies and the Developer's Perspective [7:17-29:09] Nearly 20 years (1998-2017) under Milt Peterson, Tom Maskey, Taylor Chess, and Bill Smith during the region's biggest growth era. Ran retail leasing for National Harbor through the 2008 crisis, rebuilding the merchandising plan after major brands backed out. Key lesson from Maskey: retail is entertainment; communities, not developers, decide what a place becomes. Peterson's own rule: stay out of talented people's way, but send a clear message - "figuratively" - when needed. The Leap to KLNB and Leadership Style [29:10-40:07] Left Peterson in 2017 for an "entrepreneurial itch"; KLNB's true partnership model and growth playbook, not management itself, was the draw. Biggest surprise: stepping out of day-to-day deals to support 110 brokers across a dozen disciplines. Leadership style: build trust by caring, let friction resolve itself rather than micromanage talented salespeople. Navigating Disruptions: Markets, AI, and a Cyberattack [40:08-57:28] Reads the market by "walking the halls" - broker sentiment beats lagging headlines. Diversified into industrial, data centers, healthcare, and government; credits Kevin Goller for spotting Loudoun County's data-center boom early. Leaning hard into AI for marketing and analysis - it won't eliminate CRE jobs, but will replace people who don't use it. Toughest test: the 2022 ransomware attack. Refused to pay, rebuilt systems overnight, absorbed real cost rather than fund the criminals. Retail Prognosis: Clicks-to-Bricks [57:30-1:08:39] Debunks the "retail apocalypse" - digital-native brands (Warby Parker, UNTUCKit) need stores to scale and manage returns. IKEA is the gold standard of experiential retail - a "board game" that fully immerses shoppers. Grocery-anchored neighborhood centers stay durable: close to home, and a form of everyday entertainment. The Future of Downtown D.C. [1:08:40-1:12:38] Optimistic on downtown's comeback: Georgetown, the Wharf, and Navy Yard thriving; COVID-depressed Golden Triangle/Dupont offices converting to residential. Expects a 24-hour, mixed-use downtown, not the old 9-to-5 commuter pattern. Sees retail shrinkage and Metro fare evasion slowly improving as enforcement tightens. The KLNB Partnership Model, Talent, and Mentorship [1:12:39-1:43:08] True equity partnership - one share class, full transparency - is KLNB's "glue" in a commission... Chapters (00:00:00) - Idols of D.C. Area Real Estate(00:00:51) - Interviewing Mark Menick(00:02:43) - Lucky in Commercial Real Estate: Mark Minick(00:06:17) - Post-Bacc MS in Real Estate, Maryland and Johns Hopkins(00:07:51) - Retiring as a developer at Peterson Companies(00:14:06) - The Anchor of National Harbor(00:15:08) - Former National Harbor Executive Discusses The Property's Success(00:23:45) - Getting Out of the Way(00:26:58) - Simon Property's Tom Maskey on Retail's Growth(00:28:58) - In the Elevator With KLNB's First Non Broker(00:31:37) - Mark Peterson on Starting His Own Real Estate Company(00:35:52) - In the Elevator With Your Team(00:38:39) - KLMB CEO on Leading a Real Estate Company(00:41:00) - Can You Predict The Market's Future?(00:44:13) - KLMB Real Estate: The Integration of Data Center and Retail(00:49:59) - Exploring New Sectors at Washington Commercial Real Estate(00:52:38) - What was the most difficult leadership decision you made?(00:57:23) - On the Defending Our Property(00:58:14) - Understanding the Relationship Between e-commerce and Physical Retail(01:00:57) - What Physical Retail Experiences Remain Impossible to replicate?(01:06:45) - Retail Sweep: A Board Game(01:07:22) - Downtown Retailers face unique challenges(01:13:07) - D.C. Mayor on crime(01:13:24) - KLMB Brokerage's Partnership Model(01:16:15) - Have We Elevated Partners to Partnership?(01:17:46) - What Qualities Make a Good Broker?(01:20:03) - What Would You Do To Rebuild Your Career?(01:21:32) - Mentorship programs in commercial real estate(01:23:42) - George Washington University's Internship Program(01:27:22) - In the Elevator With Mentors(01:28:23) - What advice do you have for young professionals entering the business today?(01:29:46) - What are most investors getting wrong about retail real estate?(01:32:16) - What is it about retail that makes it unique?(01:33:24) - What technologies are genuinely transforming commercial real estate?(01:36:20) - D.C. Business Insider: The resurgence of downtown(01:39:31) - What Real Estate Wisdom Can Real Estate Professionals Learn Through Experience?(01:41:32) - A Taste of KLMB's culture(01:43:49) - Getting it out of the Way(01:44:40) - Interviewing Mark Schiller(01:45:27) - CRE Career Stewardship Advisory

    Marc Menick: Stewardship and Strategy in Guiding KLNB Through Industry Disruptions (#150)

  6. May 21

    Matt Nicholson- From Broker to Principal: Mastering the Mid-Atlantic Capital Markets (#149)

    Bio Matt Nicholson is Executive Vice President of Investments and Development for the Mid-Atlantic region at Lincoln Property Company, with over 18 years of commercial real estate experience and more than $20 billion in executed capital markets activity. A DC-area native raised in Annapolis, he attended the Severn School before earning a BA in Economics from Dartmouth College in 2005, where he played Division I lacrosse. He later earned an MBA in Finance from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business in 2013 and serves as a Board Member for Georgetown's Steers Global Real Assets Center. Nicholson began his career as a paralegal at White & Case before moving into agency lending at Deutsche Bank Berkshire Mortgage, then joined HFF as an analyst in 2007. Following HFF's 2019 acquisition by JLL, he became Senior Managing Director co-leading the DC Office Investment Advisory Team. In March 2025, he joined Lincoln Property Company to lead investments, acquisitions, and development across the DMV corridor. The Leap to Lincoln Property Company [00:03:10] Matt discusses his early 2025 transition to Lincoln Property Company (LPC), where he oversees 700+ professionals, a 65-million-square-foot management portfolio, and 30 million square feet of leasing. He details LPC's 60-year history and partnership culture, and how the 2023 sale of its residential division (now Willow Bridge) and the Stonepoint Capital transaction cleared internal conflicts — enabling the commercial team to build an 18,000-unit multifamily pipeline. Roots of Resilience: Family, Loss & Work Ethic [00:13:30] Growing up in Annapolis, Matt lost his father at 10 and his mother 14 years later. He credits his drive to the courage of his late parents, the Depression-era grit of his grandparents, and his stepfather's relentless dedication — traveling globally for Micros Systems while raising Matt and his three younger brothers. The Defenseman's Playbook: Dartmouth Lacrosse to Real Estate [00:18:00] Following his father and uncle, Matt played Division I lacrosse at Dartmouth. Overcoming two knee injuries and a coaching change taught him that success means staying in the fight for your teammates. He explains how playing defense shaped his professional mindset — viewing complex capital stacks and risk mitigation through a tactical, strategic lens. Ethical Leadership & Fearless Effort [00:32:30] Matt shares his philosophy of "contagious light" — never asking his team to do something he wouldn't do himself. In institutional real estate, he argues that unwavering honesty and treating partners like teammates is bulletproof long-term strategy, especially during market resets and corrections. Navigating the Capital Stack & The Power of Reps [00:37:00] After stints as a paralegal and in agency lending, a family friend's career roadmap steered Matt toward capital markets. Starting at HFF just before the GFC, he built expertise through high transaction volume and a part-time Georgetown MBA. His core advice: prioritize "reps and fast pace" — stack learning experiences by underwriting and evaluating as many deals as possible early on. Market Outlook: DC Distress & Structural Demand [01:13:58] With DC office vacancy around 18.5%, Matt breaks down the market's bifurcation: top-tier law firms are driving Trophy asset demand while 1980s-vintage product struggles. He details Lincoln's strategy of chasing "structural demand" — infill logistics in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, medical office, and Northern Virginia's data center boom — and addresses the regional impact of federal workforce reductions from DOGE. Life Beyond the Deal: Fatherhood, Mentorship & Giving Back [01:31:30] Father of four boys, Matt coaches youth lacrosse and prioritizes weekend family time. He discusses mentoring the next generation through the ULI Mentorship pr... Chapters (00:00:00) - Icons of DC Area Real Estate(00:00:50) - Matt Nicholson(00:03:39) - Econs of ECA Real Estate(00:05:10) - How big is the Lincoln Property Company team in the Mid Atlantic?(00:06:06) - Interviews: Lincoln's Principal Acquisition Officer(00:07:47) - HFF Real Estate Interview: Lincoln Property Company(00:13:04) - Lincoln Residential's ability to do multifamily(00:14:07) - How My Grandparents Shaped My Career(00:21:04) - Getting your start in real estate at Dartmouth(00:24:25) - Georgetown Law Student on Starting Out in Real Estate(00:26:41) - Back in the Elevator at HFF(00:27:28) - Post-Grad School Support(00:28:22) - Georgetown's McDonough School(00:29:40) - Ex-Lacrosse Star on Playing Division 1(00:33:18) - What Kind of Ethical Leadership Can You Involve(00:35:20) - Lincoln Real Estate's Commitment to Integrity(00:37:59) - Exploring Real Estate in Your Early Career(00:40:03) - Exploring the Baltimore-Washington Economic Connection(00:42:04) - Have Intermediaries Changed the Way Wealth Advisors Work?(00:46:33) - How did acting as a Strategic Consultant shape your knowledge of the(00:47:54) - What was the most complicated or complex situation you ever got yourself into(00:50:14) - Have You Turned Down an Entrepreneurial Role?(00:52:18) - How Do You Balance the Hustle Needed to Close Real Estate(00:53:19) - Institutional Real Estate: Structured Environment(00:55:41) - Ray Richie on mentoring the next generation of real estate professionals(00:59:38) - Remembering ULI's Mentorship Group(01:00:58) - What aspects of integrating with JLL were the most stimulating?(01:04:00) - Understanding the user of real estate(01:05:01) - What Were the Most Spirited Parts of Putting Together Complex Transactions?(01:09:04) - What advice would you give young people considering starting their careers in brokerage(01:11:45) - Real Estate: Will AI Impact the Industry?(01:14:29) - DC Office Market: Bifurcation(01:17:32) - Does a Mixed-Use Development Make Sense for the City?(01:18:35) - Are you aware of any blocks in the city that are being assembled(01:20:55) - Doge Jobs Losses in the Region Impact the Region?(01:22:51) - Law Firm Growth: Is It Real?(01:24:50) - Reasons We're Investing in Data Centers, Healthcare & Inf(01:28:09) - Lincoln Property Group becoming more active in office investment(01:33:52) - How Do You Manage Technology in Your Child's Life?(01:35:14) - JLL Philanthropic Priorities(01:37:18) - Ending With Matt Nicholson(01:39:16) - A message for the future

    Matt Nicholson- From Broker to Principal: Mastering the Mid-Atlantic Capital Markets (#149)

  7. Apr 7

    Andrew McGeorge: Cultivating a Growth Mindset in CRE (#148)

    Bio Andrew McGeorge is Senior Managing Director and City Head of the Hines Washington D.C. office, overseeing new business development, acquisitions, asset management, and property management across the Mid-Atlantic. A Naval Academy graduate and Navy veteran, he built a career spanning residential construction at Toll Brothers, commercial office development at Monday Properties, and multifamily development at Fairfield Residential before joining Hines in 2020. He holds an MS in Organizational Dynamics from UPenn and an MBA from MIT Sloan, and is a LEED Accredited Professional and active ULI member. Hines DC: Legacy & Vision [2:39] Andrew describes his City Head role and the goal to double Hines' Mid-Atlantic AUM over five years. Sitting in Hines' original DC office building—Columbia Square, delivered in 1986—he reflects on inheriting a 40-year legacy built by predecessors Bill Alsop and Chuck Waters and his commitment to being a worthy steward of it. Background: Naval Academy & Early Life [7:49] Raised in Devon, Pennsylvania, Andrew credits athletics, the military, and academia for shaping his discipline. Lacrosse opened the door to the Naval Academy; he served as a Supply Corps officer in Yokosuka, Japan, then as an intelligence officer at the Pentagon before pivoting to real estate. Building the Foundation: Toll Brothers, Graduate School & Mundy Properties [13:24] Andrew joined Toll Brothers' PM training program straight from the Navy, then earned an MS at Penn (while still active duty) and an MBA at MIT via the GI Bill—driven by a love of learning, not credential-chasing. A timely pivot to Mundy Properties in 2006 led him through the GFC, including the all-equity development of the LEED Platinum 1812 North Moore tower in Rosslyn with Lehman Brothers as partner. Fairfield Residential to Hines [27:32] After overseeing Mid-Atlantic multifamily development at Fairfield Residential from 2016–2019, Andrew joined Hines to return to complex mixed-use environments. He reflects on navigating a rising interest rate environment post-May 2022 as the steepest learning curve of his career. Key Projects: North Bethesda, Walter Reed & CityCenterDC [38:17] Three marquee projects: a transit-oriented data science hub planned for North Bethesda Metro station; the ongoing adaptive reuse challenges at the Parks at Walter Reed; and the "herculean" 2023 CityCenterDC refinancing—a $300M CMBS SASB deal closed with JP Morgan amid the SVB/Signature Bank collapse, the first such transaction in approximately 18 months. DC Housing Crisis & The Affordable Housing Paradox [57:55] The region needs ~200,000 new homes by 2030 but has averaged only ~12,000 units annually since 2021. Andrew flags a frustrating irony rarely discussed publicly: developers are building affordable units willingly, but severe administrative obstacles are leaving those units vacant at CityCenterDC, Walter Reed, and the Wharf alike. Growth Mindset, Sustainability & Billboard Message [1:10:17] Andrew discusses Hines' firm-wide LEED commitment and the ethical legacy of the Hines family. On mentorship, he reflects on a 20-year relationship with host John Coe, his original ULI mentor. His billboard: "The magic is in the work that you're avoiding"—a call to lean into discomfort, because nothing ever grows in the comfort zone. Resources: Andrew McGeorge LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-mcgeorge-62053b3/ Chapters (00:00:00) - Indivents of DC Area Real Estate(00:02:35) - The Role of the City Head of Heinz Washington D.C(00:05:49) - Heinz D.C. Office: Growth Through Acquisitions(00:07:29) - How the Navy Influenced My Business Decision(00:12:04) - Favorite memory of a Navy pilot(00:12:38) - Real Estate Graduates at Toll Brothers(00:18:08) - Getting Out of College(00:20:00) - Pivot from Toll Brothers to Mundy Properties(00:22:18) - Former Mundy Properties Executives on Lehman Brothers Property(00:25:41) - The Westrights' role in Rosslyn's skyline(00:27:25) - When Brookfield Expands into Multifamily Development(00:32:52) - Chuck Waters on Reinventing the Real Estate Industry(00:37:51) - Heinz Properties' diversification away from office(00:39:49) - Exploring 1050 17th Street: An Interesting Acquisition(00:41:30) - Heinz Development's $15 Million Metro Station Mixed-Use(00:45:05) - Marriott Expands into Washington DC(00:49:22) - Developers on the Army Base Project(00:52:43) - The Hard Work Behind City DC Refinance(00:57:37) - Heinz Property Group CEO Discusses Current Market Conditions(00:59:03) - Would Heinz Be Forming a Home Builder?(01:00:16) - Washington DC Office Sales: Slow Growth Prospects(01:06:53) - Washington, DC Real Estate Investment(01:09:57) - North Bethesda Commercial Partners Lead Accredited Professional(01:11:19) - Leading with sustainability at Heinz(01:15:27) - INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT(01:17:40) - How to Balance Work, Family and Personal Well Being(01:20:55) - Marathon Real Estate Executive Advice(01:25:19) - What's the most fascinating part of the real estate industry? That(01:27:44) - Billboard Message: Growth(01:31:28) - A Mentee's Perspective on the Podcast

    Andrew McGeorge: Cultivating a Growth Mindset in CRE (#148)

  8. Mar 5

    Patrick Weeks: Underwriting Human Capital (#147)

    Bio Patrick "Paddy" Weeks is co-author of The New Science of Hiring and VP of Operations at Tribunus Health. His career spans Marine Corps advisor teams in Afghanistan, Big Four consulting at Ernst & Young, and launching Sonder's DC market from Series B to 45 global markets and 2,000 employees. A Grove City College graduate and UVA Darden MBA, Patrick has spent five years synthesizing academic research on hiring into a practical framework for business leaders. The Blank Sheet of Paper Problem [2:58–7:00] Finance, operations, and economics are taught as sciences — but hiring is treated as art. Patrick's MBA sparked the question: where is the science of selection? That gap launched a years-long research obsession and ultimately, the book. From Midwest to Marine Corps [8:08–18:30] A soul-crushing Wall Street internship sent Patrick toward the Marines. Leading 20-man advisor teams through 125 convoys in Afghanistan taught him that pedigree matters far less than performance — a lesson that shaped every hire he'd ever make. Military to Civilian – The Career Jungle Gym [18:31–23:49] The transition from machine gun convoys to an E&Y cubicle was jarring. Patrick shares why he views careers less as ladders and more as jungle gyms — and how the GI Bill, a Darden MBA, and strategic "attribute swapping" helped him find his fit. Scaling Sonder – The Rocket Ship [31:21–40:55] As Sonder's first DC hire, Patrick scaled from 200 to 2,000 employees across 45 markets. He reveals what broke first (processes, always), what he hired for (high agency, low ego), and how a non-traditional banking hire became one of his best decisions. The Firing That Scarred Him [47:13–50:32] Patrick opens his book with his worst professional moment: terminating a new hire just three weeks in. He ignored his gut, deferred to group consensus, and paid the price. It became the catalyst for learning the actual science of selection. Proactive Personality & The Hustle Metric [1:02:45–1:10:16] For brokerage, BD, and PM roles, Conscientiousness is overrated. Proactive Personality — testable in a four-minute questionnaire — is the real predictor of who takes initiative without being told. Patrick explains why it's the moneyball metric real estate firms are missing. Time Kills Deals — In Hiring Too [1:18:47–1:25:44] Every day a process drags, you lose ~10% of your candidate pool. Decision accuracy tops out after 3–5 interviews. The "meet all the partners" gauntlet isn't rigor — it's diffused accountability. Integrity Testing, Simulations & AI Risks [1:10:42–1:18:21] Integrity testing delivers up to 4,000% ROI for on-site and PM roles. Work simulations outperform polished interviews. And training AI on past hiring data? You're just automating old biases — with new legal liability attached. Resources: The New Science of Hiring by Patrick Weeks & Joy Giles | thenewscienceofhiring.com  Connect: LinkedIn – Patrick Weeks Notable Quotes: "I learned one of the hardest lessons in leadership: never hire someone you don't believe in, just because everyone else said yes. Because when the hammer drops, you're the one swinging it." "If you don't have a system, you are the system." "Real estate is complex... You're not buying someone's past, you're buying their future when you hire." "After the fourth or fifth interview, you're not even changing your mind on any candidates. You're just going through the motions." "One thing I saw and lived myself is that there's not really a career ladder and I think my conclusion is more like a career jungle gym. There are many different paths you can take, allowing for directional ch... Chapters (00:00:00) - Icons of DCRE Real Estate(00:02:31) - In the Elevator With Patrick Weeks(00:04:22) - Why Talent Selection feels like the highest leverage problem in real estate(00:07:53) - Entrepreneurs: Growing Up in the Midwest(00:11:00) - Military service drives men to the military(00:13:13) - Marine Corps Officer in OCS(00:15:10) - Marine Corps Leadership: Character and Experience(00:20:07) - Post-Servicemember MBA Advice(00:23:50) - How to Improve Your Hiring Process(00:31:01) - In the Elevator With Airbnb's DC Market(00:33:32) - How to Get Out of the Startup Job(00:34:46) - What broke first as you scaled? Systems, people, culture(00:36:31) - What was your lens for hiring at that point(00:38:23) - Hiring Dissident Talent(00:40:57) - Decisions Made: Big Four Consulting to Tech Startups(00:46:58) - The New Science of Hiring(00:50:34) - Analytics and Hiring in Commercial Real Estate(00:51:52) - Should Matching Resume Screenings With Worksimulations Be Cons(00:58:20) - Incentives are critical for jobs(01:02:23) - Have You Got What it Takes to Build a Business?(01:04:58) - Proactivity in the Workplace(01:07:24) - Interviewing 101: Polish vs Authenticity(01:10:17) - Should Commercial Real Estate Firms Treat Integrity Testing as Primary Risk Management(01:18:33) - Time Kills Deals in Real Estate(01:20:25) - The 3-to-5 Interview(01:24:38) - Bradley: On-boarding the Right People(01:29:56) - What About Making A Mistake?(01:31:18) - Leadership Lessons from the Marine Corps, Startup Life(01:33:41) - Hiring Mistake No. 1(01:37:17) - A message from Real Estate's Phil Knight(01:38:50) - In the Elevator With Patrick Beaks

    Patrick Weeks: Underwriting Human Capital (#147)
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About

An interview show with leading commercial and multifamily real estate participants in various disciplines. John Coe, a 41 year real estate finance professional, will interview many of his long time friends and past clients to learn about their backgrounds and what brought them into the income producing real estate business. He will probe into their career paths and what they have learned along the way, highlighting their successes, failures and lessons learned. Each episode will explore the interviewee's individual perspective and offer unique views of their particular expertise and where the trends are leading.

Information

  • Creator
    John Coe
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    170
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019 Coe Enterprises, LLC
  • Show Website
    Icons of DC Area Real Estate

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