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December 2005 • Volume 2, Issue 12 This issue home | Past issues | Chamber home Real Estate Executives Help Guide Economic Development Staff
The REAL (Real Estate Advisory Group) is a network of executives, experts in commercial real estate, who have been selected and invited to advise, strategize, and aid the Richardson Economic Development Partnership (REDP) with its activities. Initiated in 2002, members participate in a bimonthly lunch intended to inform and advise the REDP team on current local activity, changes in the commercial real estate marketplace, and issues that will impact the Richardson business community. The REDP seeks ideas and strategic guidance from the group on where and how to focus resources. REAL members are asked to comment on Richardson economic development activities and how the REDP can improve its marketability locally and nationally. This advisory committee can tell, from the broker point-of-view, how and why companies are selecting locations. At the same time, the staff of the REDP is committed to aiding the REAL members in fostering relationships with prospects and potential tenants that are Richardson-centric. Core participants in REAL this year have been: Mark Sommer of Beltway Commercial Real Estate; Scott Jessen of Colliers International; Ernest H. Randall, Jr., managing director, The Vantage Companies; Talynn Otsuki of Onyx Realty Services Inc.; Bill Rudd of Crescent Real Estate Equities; Don Dillard of the Galatyn Park Corporation, and Charles Meachum of Nortel. “Each of these participants brings their own unique perspective, knowledge of the Richardson and Dallas real estate marketplace, and opinions to our meetings,” said John Jacobs, senior vice president, Economic Development, Richardson Chamber. “For instance, Ernest and Vantage have been involved in the development of land and the sale and leasing of properties in Richardson for several decades, responsible for initial and continuing development of the tech-flex and office space in Richardson, which led to the concentration of tech companies that was eventually designated the Telecom Corridor ® area. “Ernest has a wealth of information as well as an extensive network of contacts in the commercial real estate industry in the Metroplex. He is also a co-chair of the Chamber's Growth & Mobility Committee, which meets bimonthly to discuss economic development and DFW mobility issues and projects impacting Richardson.” Otsuki and Rudd represent organizations that have major real estate holdings in Richardson. They are also two of the tri-chairs for the Chamber's Brokers & Developers Committee. With an eye on the development scene is Don Dillard, vice president of the Galatyn Park Corporation, which manages the Galatyn Park Urban Center as well as the other major still-to-be developed portions of the Galatyn Park area, particularly along the President George Bush Turnpike. In addition, representing the corporate side of commercial/office activity in Richardson is Charles Meachum in the Global Real Estate/Facilities group at Nortel, the largest private employer in Richardson. “This small, experienced group of commercial and corporate real estate professionals is a valuable asset for the Richardson Chamber's economic development team,” said Jacobs. “During our bimonthly meetings, we never fail to learn new information about what's happening on the Dallas scene as well as in the Richardson submarket, advance intelligence on companies (sometimes by name but often just by type of company), which are looking for space and/or land locally. “The REAL advisory group members are also quick to offer their opinions and specific suggestions on the marketing strategies and tools we use to promote the city. Their reinforcement of the need for a glossy economic development brochure to promote Richardson contributed to the development of our current 'Surround yourself with Synergy' brochure developed earlier this year. “They've also pushed for more publicity in local media on new leases and projects in Richardson . Brian Fraser, our vice president of corporate relations, has stepped up the quantity and quality of coverage this year, working with key real estate, business and technology reporters and editors at local print and electronic media. “Individuals on the REAL committee have also provided useful feedback on the REDP portion of the Chamber's Web site, which has been enhanced considerably in the last year to provide statistics, demographics and useful information to brokers, site selection consultants and corporate real estate people looking for places to locate companies or businesses,” Jacobs added. Besides the ED team (Bill Sproull, John Jacobs, Brian Fraser, Sue Walker and Starla Middlebrooks), others participating in the REAL meetings are Richardson City Manager Bill Keffler; Charles Eisemann, 2005 chairman of the Chamber; and Paul Voelker, Hewlett-Packard Co., vice chair of the Economic Division of the Chamber. Voelker will continue to take part next year as 2006 Chamber chairman. “We appreciate the advice, input and participation of the REAL members in our economic development initiatives, and in helping us to bring quality businesses and organizations to Richardson, to the benefit of this community,” concluded Jacobs. |
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