Honored to have been selected for Business Insider’s national Top 20 Under 35 Rising Stars in Real Estate. Ignore/enjoy my circa ‘19 antique corporate headshot.
Institutional real estate development is the ultimate multi-year team game and this recognition has as much to do with my co-developers, investors, lenders, brokers, attorneys, general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, family/friends, etc. (including, but certainly not limited to: DAC Developments, Q Investment Partners, Louis Reynolds / Reynolds Asset Management, Focus , Glacier Global Partners, BH3 Management, Petros PACE Finance, Johnson Controls, Gatehouse Capital Partners, Geneva Capital Group, PeakMade Real Estate, Clark Construction Group, Antunovich Associates, Fitzgerald + Associates Ltd, Pappageorge Haymes Partners, Ice Miller LLP, Acosta Ezgur, LLC, David Crowell, Taylor Johnson Public Relations).
Despite the challenging macro environment, 2023 and 2024 were momentous years for Melrose Ascension Capital (MAC) but it’s only the beginning and there is plenty of execution that remains. Looking forward to 2025, MAC will be delivering $100MM of Class A multifamily projects, breaking ground on $250MM of new Class A multifamily projects, and establishing/scaling its institutional co-GP fund that provides sponsors with programmatic credit enhancements/loan guarantees, equity co-investments, and executional expertise for multifamily, retail, and industrial core+, value-add, and development deals nationwide.
To my fellow next gen’s from humble beginnings with a dream and fire in their belly: I’m nothing more than a small town Iowa boy and first generation university graduate who dedicated himself to self actualizing and built a real estate development and private equity company at 30 without sacrificing integrity, relationships, or health. Life is neither fair nor a level playing field but despite this reality and mainstream sentiment, the economic circumstances you come from do not dictate what you’re ultimately capable of achieving. Take calculated risks with disproportionate upside while youth is on your side, roll with the punches as they inevitably come, and don't forget to enjoy the iterative journey along the way.
