Assistant Project Manager at Redgate shares His Insights on Mentorship and Community Engagement
Years with company/firm: 1.5
Years in field: 3
Years in real estate industry: 3
Real estate organizations/affiliations: ULI Baltimore and ULI DC
What is your most notable project, deal, or transaction?
The City of College Park City Hall that Redgate developed in partnership with the City of College Park and the University of Maryland (UMD) is one of the most notable projects I’ve worked on. The 100,000 s/f building is a first-of-its-kind City Hall that splits the ownership and space between the City of College Park and UMD, with the University owning two floors and the City owning two floors. There are several retail components on the ground-level, too, another unique component.
I joined the project as it was nearing completion, but the last 25 percent of the build out before delivery was a critical time. We were working to finalize each party’s hopes for the project under one roof in real-time. In the end, we delivered a high-quality project that activates the City Plaza in ways the prior City Hall couldn’t achieve. We faced unique challenges on the project, but the outcome produced an incredible level of success, and that is what makes it my most notable development.
Who or what has been the strongest influence in your career?
I’ve been connected to my mentor, Tim Hearn, since my sophomore year in college. We met at my first ever job in real estate where he took me under his wing in a completely selfless way. During the pandemic, he made an incredible effort to stay connected to me amid the chaos and went out of his way to call me every week to catch up. His support, mentorship and guidance has helped me hone my networking and relationship building skills in a critical way. He’s inspired me to mentor others in the same way he’s done for me, whether that’s through my alma mater or other external organizations. Tim taught me the power of mentorship which I know I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
What impact has social media/networking had on your career?
Networking has been key for me and has truly accelerated much of my knowledge of real estate. Hearing other people’s experiences can really help inform your own. Whatever type of project it may be, anyone that is willing to share the pitfalls or strengths of their experience is an invaluable resource. They can help guide your understanding of what may work and what may not work. Even if you don’t utilize their lessons on your current project, it may help you on your next. And when you do happen to hit a similar roadblock as someone you’ve made a connection with, being able to call them to ask for their help, their guidance, or just to commiserate, that’s a valuable relationship. Having a network and building a network is hugely important to me and has immensely informed both my skills and knowledge in my work at Redgate.
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in, about your current position, and why you chose the field/profession you are in today.
While a student at Colgate University, I attended several networking events with large contingencies of local real estate leaders. The exposure to people working in the real estate and development field made me think about it as a career path. I interned at Artemis Properties in Baltimore in 2019 and at Redgate in 2020, and after graduating, I re-joined Redgate in a full-time capacity.
In my current position as Assistant Project Manager, my role is to oversee and collaborate with project partners to move the project forward. No day looks the same, but I’m constantly thinking operationally. Every day is an opportunity to show up at the top of my game and manage elements of the project to keep it going.
What I appreciate about working in real estate is the impact investment can make on communities, and that I can play a role in that in some capacity. To work in real estate and development means you always have to be on your toes, be willing to take risks, and envision the future through your mindset. The combination of those ideals really excites me, and I’m glad to have started my career in this industry.
What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession?
My emotional intelligence and intellectual curiosity are by far my greatest assets and have undoubtedly contributed to my success in the real estate industry. I genuinely enjoy being around people, and I believe I can always learn something from any given person in a room. Understanding that a relationship is a two-way street, and if you’re willing to invest in others, then others will invest in you, has been key for me.
What challenges and or obstacles do you feel you needed to overcome to become as successful as you are today?
There will always be external challenges you have to face, but overcoming internal challenges has been essential for my growth. I’ve started to focus on just being the best version of myself that I can be every day and taking it all one day at a time. I acknowledge that to improve myself I need to collaborate with others, be willing to learn from them, and admit what I may not know. I believe that if I prioritize growth and learning internally, I will be able to breakthrough any external barriers that may lie ahead.
What outside activities do you enjoy during your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy Latin American dance, especially salsa and bachata. I like to play golf, and I’m teaching myself to solve Rubik’s Cubes. I’m also on the Board of Trustees for my high school, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore, and I’m on the Board of Next One Up, a mentorship program that provides young men in Greater Baltimore access to academic, athletic and social development support. As an alumnus of both Cristo Rey and Next One Up, it feels great to be on the respective boards, as I have a great understanding of the programs and feel I can be a strong liaison between the rest of the board and the alumni community. Having completed these programs and achieved success in my career since then, I’m always happy to offer support or advice to young people who are in the same position I once was. It means a lot to be able to mentor this way.
What inspiring advice would you give to a young executive graduating from college?
Believe in yourself and trust your knowledge. If you want something, you have to go out there and get it. No one is going to give it to you, so it all comes down to putting yourself out there, taking risks, meeting new people, and making the effort. In the end, the journey is often the most meaningful part of it all.