Breakfast Forum: The Houston Commercial Real Estate Markets – What’s Ahead for 2017

Allen Crosswell – Managing Principal, NewQuest Crosswell

Allen H. Crosswell is the Managing Principal of NewQuest Crosswell (NQC) and a partner of NewQuest Properties. NQC is a comprehensive Commercial Real Estate (CRE) company active in small shopping center development, single tenant development across the country, land acquisition/development, and operates a $100 million lending platform. NewQuest Properties is a national tenant anchored shopping center development company with a portfolio exceeding $1.4 billion in assets. NewQuest Properties has all aspects of the development process under one roof including acquisition, design, legal, leasing, construction, and property management. NewQuest currently employs more than 100 team members.

Prior to merging with NewQuest Properties in 2013, Crosswell was Managing Principal of TGB Crosswell, Crosswell Greenwood Commercial Development, Crosswell Torian Commercial Properties, and Crosswell Properties. These operating entities date back to 1993 when he left his appraisal and valuation job at Lewis Realty Advisors. During the life of these entities, Allen developed 3 million square feet of retail, 50 single tenant build to suits, and purchased/ developed/sold $300 million of land.

Crosswell is a 5th generation Houstonian with a long family history of politics and philanthropy. Crosswell holds a BA in Real Estate Finance from the University of Mississippi where he remains very active, including serving on multiple boards. In addition, he is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), St. Martins Episcopal Church and various philanthropic boards. He is a past President of Post Oak Little League, as well as a past member of the Board of Directors of Houston Country Club.

Jonathan Brinsden – CEO, Midway

Jonathan Brinsden serves as Chief Executive Officer of Midway. As one of four members of the Midway Executive Team, Jonathan guides the company's overall business strategy and operations.

Jonathan joined Midway’s development team in 2001, was named Chief Operating Officer in 2008 and CEO in 2013. Prior to joining Midway, Jonathan served as President and COO of Hamm Corporation, a Houston-based development company.

He is a member of the Urban Land Institute Global Board of Directors, Board of Trustees and the Governance Committee, and past Chair of ULI Houston. He is also a board member of NAIOP and an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

He holds a Master of Science in Land and Real Estate Development, a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design, all from Texas A&M University.

Additionally, Jonathan serves on the board of Central Houston and Buffalo Bayou Partnership. He is active in a number of civic leadership and charitable organizations and serves as a board member of St. James House and SEARCH. Jonathan is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston Bauer Graduate Real Estate Program and serves on the Executive Advisory Board.

John Nicholson – Executive Vice President of Development, AVERA Companies

John Nicholson serves as Executive Vice President of Development at AVERA Companies. Over the last sixteen years, Mr. Nicholson has negotiated over 700 transactions providing in excess of $750,000,000 in transaction value. Prior to joining Avera, John served as Senior Vice President at Transwestern, and was most recently employed by Cushman & Wakefield as Executive Managing Director, with the responsibility of leading his Industrial Services group in the Houston area.

Prior to the commencement of his commercial real estate career, John was a second round draft pick in the Major League Draft by the Colorado Rockies.