NEWS & PRESS RELEASES
‘Dallas Will Welcome You’: Get to Know NTCAR’s Newest Hall of Fame Inductees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BILL VANDERSTRAATEN AND SCOTT ROHRMAN INDUCTED INTO THE 36th ANNUAL NORTH TEXAS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HALL OF FAME MAY 1
The sold-out event also honored Jack Fraker of Newmark and Hall of Fame co-founder Robert Grunnah as recipients of the 2024 Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award
DALLAS (May 3, 2024) – Two innovative real estate leaders – Bill Vanderstraaten and Scott Rohrman – were inducted May 1 into the 36th annual North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame in cooperation with NTCAR.
Vanderstraaten, president of Chief Partners L.P. is known for a national portfolio that includes Fields, a Frisco land purchase that is home to the PGA of America’s new national headquarters, and Clearfork, a mixed-use development in Fort Worth. Rohrman of 42 Real Estate, LLC developed a reputation for his build-to-suit projects across the U.S. and his efforts to reshape Deep Ellum while preserving its historic essence. The sold-out event was held May 1 at the Arts District Mansion in downtown Dallas.
Jack Fraker, president and global head of industrial and logistics capital markets for Newmark, received the Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is presented to an individual who has dedicated countless hours to his or her community, professional organizations committed to the real estate industry, and charitable pursuits during their professional real estate career.
Additionally, Robert Grunnah, a widely respected real estate leader and one of the three co-founders of the Hall of Fame, was surprised with a Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award for his deep commitment to the profession.
“North Texas is known as one of the best real estate regions in the U.S., and both Bill Vanderstraaten and Scott Rohman have contributed greatly to that reputation. We are delighted to induct these exceptional leaders into the NTCAR Hall of Fame,” said Robert Grunnah, co-founder and chairman emeritus of the 37-year-old Hall of Fame event.
Vanderstraaten was introduced by Hall of Fame Executive Committee Member Greg Cannon and inducted by Andrew Levy. Rohrman was introduced by Hall of Fame Executive Committee Member Lynn Dowdle and inducted by Bill Cawley. Ran Holman presented the McAuley Award to Fraker. Hall of Fame co-founders Chris Teesdale and Darrell Hurmis presented the McAuley Award to Grunnah.
Hurmis served as the event chair, and Hall of Fame Executive Committee member Bill Cox emceed the event.
Vanderstraaten’s Chief Partners L.P. boasts $1.4 billion in assets under managementHall of Fame inductee Bill Vanderstraaten founded Chief Partners L.P. in 2007 in partnership with Trevor Rees-Jones and the Rees-Jones family. A commercial real estate investment firm, Chief Partners L.P. focuses on teaming with best-in-class operators across the country, producing a widely successful portfolio of currently over 80 separate investments through 30-plus operating partners. During its history, Chief has placed more than $1.1 billion of equity and currently has $1.4 billion in assets under management. Another 110 investments have gone full circle, more than doubling their net returns. The team at Chief and its partners have completed 3.64 million feet of development since inception along with 3.43 million feet of value-added repositioned assets. The firm also invests across all growth markets in the U.S. with concentrations in multifamily, industrial, retail, medical office, land, data center and self-storage.
Prior to founding Chief Partners L.P., Vanderstraaten was an original Fund I partner of Thackeray Partners (now Greystar), a real estate private equity firm. Previously, he worked for CarrAmerica beginning in 1997 and joined Harwood International (previously SPG International) after graduating from SMU.
His contributions extend beyond his business. A 1982 graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration from SMU, he is a devoted alumnus, serving as past chairman of the SMU Alumni Association, a past SMU trustee and a current member of the SMU Cox executive board and the Folsom Institute board. Other current or previous civic activities include the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, UT Southwestern board of visitors, chair of the UT McCombs Parents Council, Goodwill Industries of Dallas board chair, Goodwill Foundation board chair and the Elizabeth Toon Foundation Board. Past industry boards and other involvement include chair of NAIOP, TREC Board and Fight Night chair, Arts District management board chair, West End Association board and Uptown Association board.
Vanderstraaten resides in Dallas with wife, Mimi, and children, Emily and Will.
“Bill’s activity in the real estate community has reached far and wide by developing invaluable partnerships in many cutting-edge projects, including the iconic Fields Ranch that will exceed $5 billion of build-out valuation,” said Hall of Fame Executive Committee Member Greg Cannon. “Additionally, Bill’s service to the Dallas area community and SMU is extraordinary.”
Rohrman’s 42 tackles national projects, embraces historic Deep Ellum and Cedars neighborhoods
Hall of Fame inductee Scott Rohrman and his 42 Real Estate team focus on a wide gamut of real estate initiatives – from industrial and land investment/development projects to urban re-development and pro-bono projects. His build-to-suit efforts span 40 states and Canada, and his clients include Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, 24 Hour Fitness, Tractor Supply, FedEx, Frito-Lay and UnitedHealthcare. 42 also invests in land and speculative industrial projects (with about 10 million square feet of planned or owned land).
His passion includes Dallas’ Deep Ellum, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. A decade ago, he assembled over 55 parcels while taking a community-driven rather than profit-driven approach with the re-development. In addition to restoring the remaining vintage buildings, he was behind the 42 murals program where local artists – from 14-year-old students to beginner and veteran painters – added colorful, often powerful and edgy, topical messages, greatly enhancing the quirky historic district known a century ago as the live music capital of North Texas. His firm also controls more than 15 properties in The Cedars and 16 properties in downtown Dallas.
Rohrman started his career at Henry S. Miller Company/Grubb & Ellis, moving to The Stratford Group and Fischer & Company. Known for his pro-bono and charity work, he helped develop St. Philip’s School and Community Center’s 12,000-square-foot retail building and acquired lots for several nonprofits’ low-income housing. He mentors young professionals, is an elder in his church, and has served on the boards of Circle Ten Council of Boy Scouts of America, Downtown Dallas, Inc., The Real Estate Council (TREC), Deep Ellum Foundation, and Carry The Load. Additionally, he served on the State of Texas School Land Board, which oversaw a $6.2 billion portfolio and more than 13 million acres in Texas, benefiting for public schoolchildren in grades PreK-12.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master's degree in education at Baylor University and an MBA at SMU. Rohrman and his wife, Laura, reside in Dallas. They have three adult children.
"Scott’s vision and creativity – unparalleled in this industry -- are the catalyst for his legacy projects, yet his flawless leadership skills and love for people are his number one priority,” said Dowdle. “Always going the extra mile to inspire others, Scott is a difference-maker, and that’s a benchmark of his huge success."
Two individuals named as McAuley Award recipients this year
Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Jack Fraker has led a distinguished career at Newmark, but the real estate veteran has always found time to give back to industry and charitable organizations.
In addition to receiving numerous awards from SIOR, NAIOP and the Urban Land Institute (ULI), he landed a lifetime achievement award from Dallas Business Journal in 2014. And this isn’t his first time to be recognized by NTCAR – he was given the Stemmons Service Award in 2003.
In addition to having served on the Board of Governors of the ULI, he was a board member and adjunct professor for SMU and The University of Texas Business School. He currently devotes his time as a board member of Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep school and he held former board positions at Hunt Southwest, Cushman & Wakefield, USAA (Realco), the Metropolitan YMCA of Dallas and Girls Inc.
Fraker earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The University of Texas at Austin. He resides in Dallas, and his two children followed in his steps and also have successful commercial real estate careers.
“Jack’s contributions epitomize the gold standards with which this award represents,” said Darrell Hurmis, a co-founder and member of the NTCAR Hall of Fame Executive Committee. “A standout in every respect, he has given back to his community and shaped our industry in so many wonderful ways.”
Grunnah, the second McAuley Award recipient, is a distinguished and highly respected commercial real estate veteran whose career spans six decades. Known as a dedicated mentor and advisor who shaped the careers of numerous real estate leaders, his many achievements include serving as president of the investments/land division of Henry S. Miller Companies from 1994 to 2014. The SMU graduate was also a Bronze Star Medal recipient with an Oak Leaf Cluster for his service as an officer in Southeast Asia with the U.S. Air Force. Grunnah recently retired but will continue his volunteer and advisory efforts to improve the North Texas commercial real estate industry.
Sponsors pledged support to sold-out event
Title sponsors for the 2024 Hall of Fame event were FIELDS and KFM Engineering & Design. Platinum Table Sponsors were Arlington EDC; Benchmark Title; Broadway Bank; Champion Partners; Chief Partners L.P.; Happy State Bank; Hillwood, A Perot Company; Huffines Communities and Huffines Enterprises; Jackson-Shaw Company; KDC; Lincoln Property Company; M. Terry Enterprises; Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.; NEWMARK; OHT Partners; Oncor; Rees-Jones Holdings, LLC; Republic Title; Rosewood Property Company; Skybox Datacenters; Texas Capital; and Weber & Company. Gold Sponsors are City of Mesquite; Columbus Realty Partners; DB Urban, LLC; Folsom Properties; Henry S. Miller; Invesco Real Estate; MacCo Builders; McGuire, Craddock & Strother, PC; PlainsCapital Bank; Primera Companies, Inc.; Ryan Companies US, Inc.; Spencer Fane LLP; TRANSWESTERN; The Real Estate Council; and Younger Partners.
Special thanks also go to 2014 Hall of Fame inductees Ralph and Cornelia Heins with Primera,who will host the Hall of Fame VIP party this fall; 2007 inductee Craig Hall and the Hall Group for the generous wine donation; and SMU Cox Folsom Institute for Real Estate for its support. The Hall of Fame media sponsor was D CEO magazine.
Founded in 1987, NTCAR Hall of Fame has celebrated region’s iconic movers and shakers
The Hall of Fame was launched in 1987, when the first six distinguished real estate recipients were Trammell Crow; Lyn Davis; Henry S. Miller, Jr.; John M. Stemmons, Sr. and his brother, L. Storey Stemmons; and Angus G. Wynne. Later additions to the roster included, among others, John Carpenter; Roger Staubach; Henry S. Miller Company; Jerry Jones; Ross Perot, Jr.; Gerald Hines and Jeff Hines; and Ray L. Hunt.
The Hall of Fame inductees for 2023 were Ray W. Washburne, president of Highland Park Village, and Rex Glendenning, founder and owner of Rex Real Estate. Last year former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price received one of the rarely given Industry Service Awards.
In addition to 2024 event chair Darrell Hurmis, the North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame Executive Committee members are Robert Grunnah (Emeritus), Chris Teesdale, Greg Cannon, Kathy Permenter, Lynn Dowdle, Bill Cox, Jack Gosnell, Teri Abram, Scott Morse and Kim Vincent Butler. Holland Morris is executive director of the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and Real Estate Professionals.
North Texas commercial real estate history and legends captured in coffee table book
The 2024 Hall of Fame recipients and other honorees will be listed in the fourth edition of the coffee table book titled North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame, which is being released in late 2024. Originally published in 2008 with expanded editions produced in 2013 and 2019, THE BOOK captures the stories of past Hall of Fame honorees and Michael F. McAuley Award recipients along with other honorees – all legendary figures whose extraordinary vision and real estate prowess played a major role in North Texas’ development over the past 100 years.
The third-edition coffee table book, filled with historical photos, is available for $150. For details and to order or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the fourth edition, visit ntcarhalloffame.org/the-book, email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com or call 512-818-6512.
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ABOUT NTCAR
Founded in 1995, NTCAR is a trade association that exists to enhance the business opportunities of its members through real-time access to critical real estate information, education, recognition and networking events. One of the first and leading local commercial real estate associations in the country, NTCAR’s members benefit from proprietary industry resources and customized services. For more information, go to ntcarhalloffame.org or email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com.
CONTACT: Becky Mayad
cell: 214-697-7745
"Two North Texas real estate pros to receive honors"
KRLD CEO SPOTLIGHT WITH DAVID JOHNSON
INTERVIEW WITH BILL VANDERSTRAATEN
NTCAR Reveals Its Hall of Fame Inductees for 2024
KRLD CEO SPOTLIGHT WITH DAVID JOHNSON
Interview with Scott Rohrman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BILL VANDERSTRAATEN AND SCOTT ROHRMAN TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE
2024 NORTH TEXAS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HALL OF FAME ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2024
Jack Fraker of Newmark to receive the 2024 Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award
DALLAS (Oct. 25, 2023) – Two innovative real estate leaders with keen business acumen will be added to the North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame roster in 2024. One inductee is known for a national portfolio that also includes Fields, a Frisco land purchase that is home to the PGA of America’s new national headquarters, and also Clearfork, a mixed-use development in Fort Worth. The other inductee has built a reputation for his build-to-suit projects across the U.S. and his efforts to reshape Deep Ellum while preserving its historic essence.
Bill Vanderstraaten, president of Chief Partners and Scott Rohrman of 42 Real Estate, LLC will be inducted into the 2024 North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame in cooperation with NTCAR, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the Arts District Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave. in downtown Dallas. The event will begin at 5 p.m. with a reception, followed by dinner and program at 7 p.m.
Jack Fraker, president and global head of industrial and logistics capital markets for Newmark, will receive the Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is presented to an individual who has dedicated countless hours to his or her community, professional organizations committed to the real estate industry, and charitable pursuits during their professional real estate career.
Sponsorships for the always sold-out event are available with title sponsorships at $25,000, platinum sponsorships at $10,000 and gold sponsorships at $5,000. For more information, go to ntcarhalloffame.org or email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com.
“North Texas is known as one of the best real estate regions in the U.S., and both Bill Vanderstraaten and Scott Rohman have contributed greatly to that reputation. We are delighted to induct these exceptional leaders into the NTCAR Hall of Fame,” said Robert Grunnah, co-founder and chairman emeritus of the 35-year-old Hall of Fame event.
Vanderstraaten’s Chief Partners boasts $1.4 billion in assets under management
Hall of Fame inductee Bill Vanderstraaten founded Chief Partners in 2007 in partnership with Trevor Rees-Jones and the Rees-Jones family. A commercial real estate investment firm, Chief Partners focuses on teaming with best-in-class operators across the country, producing a widely successful portfolio of currently over 80 separate investments through 30-plus operating partners. During its history, Chief has placed more than $1.1 billion of equity and currently has $1.4 billion in assets under management. Another 110 investments have gone full circle, more than doubling their net returns. The team at Chief and its partners have completed 3.64 million feet of development since inception along with 3.43 million feet of value-added repositioned assets. The firm also invests across all growth markets in the U.S. with concentrations in multifamily, industrial, retail, medical office, land, data center and self-storage.
Prior to founding Chief Partners, Vanderstraaten was an original Fund I partner of Thackeray Partners (now Greystar), a real estate private equity firm. Previously, he worked for CarrAmerica beginning in 1997 and joined Harwood International (previously SPG International) after graduating from SMU.
​
His contributions extend beyond his business. A 1982 graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration from SMU, he is a devoted alumnus, serving as past chairman of the SMU Alumni Association, a past SMU trustee and a current member of the SMU Cox executive board and the Folsom Institute board. Other current or previous civic activities include the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, UT Southwestern board of visitors, chair of the UT McCombs Parents Council, Goodwill Industries of Dallas board chair, Goodwill Foundation board chair and the Elizabeth Toon Foundation Board. Past industry boards and other involvement include chair of NAIOP, TREC Board and Fight Night chair, Arts District management board chair, West End Association board and Uptown Association board.
​
Vanderstraaten resides in Dallas with wife, Mimi, and children, Emily and Will.
“Bill’s activity in the real estate community has reached far and wide by developing invaluable partnerships in many cutting-edge projects, including the iconic Fields Ranch that will exceed $5 billion of build-out valuation,” said Hall of Fame Committee Member Greg Cannon. “Additionally, Bill’s service to the Dallas area community and SMU is extraordinary.”
Rohrman’s 42 tackles national projects, embraces historic Deep Ellum and Cedars neighborhoods
Hall of Fame inductee Scott Rohrman and his 42 Real Estate team focus on a wide gamut of real estate initiatives – from industrial and land investment/development projects to urban re-development and pro-bono projects. His build-to-suit efforts span 40 states and Canada, and his clients include Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, 24 Hour Fitness, Tractor Supply, FedEx, Frito-Lay and UnitedHealthcare. 42 also invests in land and speculative industrial projects (with about 10 million square feet of planned or owned land).
His passion includes Dallas’ Deep Ellum, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. A decade ago, he assembled over 55 parcels while taking a community-driven rather than profit-driven approach with the re-development. In addition to restoring the remaining vintage buildings, he was behind the 42 murals program where local artists – from 14-year-old students to beginner and veteran painters – added colorful, often powerful and edgy, topical messages, greatly enhancing the quirky historic district known a century ago as the live music capital of North Texas. His firm also controls more than 15 properties in The Cedars and 16 properties in downtown Dallas.
Rohrman started his career at Henry S. Miller Company/Grubb & Ellis, moving to The Stratford Group and Fischer & Company. Known for his pro-bono and charity work, he helped develop St. Philip’s School and Community Center’s 12,000-square-foot retail building and acquired lots for several nonprofits’ low-income housing. He mentors young professionals, is an elder in his church, and has served on the boards of Circle Ten Council of Boy Scouts of America, Downtown Dallas, Inc., The Real Estate Council (TREC), Deep Ellum Foundation, and Carry The Load. Additionally, he served on the State of Texas School Land Board, which oversaw a $6.2 billion portfolio and more than 13 million acres in Texas, benefiting for public schoolchildren in grades PreK-12.
​
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master's degree in education at Baylor University and an MBA at SMU. Rohrman and his wife, Laura, reside in Dallas. They have three adult children.
​
"Scott’s vision and creativity – unparalleled in this industry -- are the catalyst for his legacy projects, yet his flawless leadership skills and love for people are his number one priority,” said Hall of Fame Committee Member Lynn Dowdle. “Always going the extra mile to inspire others, Scott is a difference-maker, and that’s a benchmark of his huge success."
Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Jack Fraker has led a distinguished career at Newmark, but the real estate veteran has always found time to give back to industry and charitable organizations.
In addition to receiving numerous awards from SIOR, NAIOP and the Urban Land Institute (ULI), he landed a lifetime achievement award from Dallas Business Journal in 2014. And this isn’t his first time to be recognized by NTCAR – he was given the Stemmons Service Award in 2003.
In addition to having served on the Board of Governors of the ULI, he was a board member and adjunct professor for SMU and The University of Texas Business School. He currently devotes his time as a board member of Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep school and he held former board positions at Hunt Southwest, Cushman & Wakefield, USAA (Realco), the Metropolitan YMCA of Dallas and Girls Inc.
​
Fraker earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The University of Texas at Austin. He resides in Dallas, and his two children followed in his steps and also have successful commercial real estate careers.
“Jack’s contributions epitomize the gold standards with which this award represents,” said Darrell Hurmis, a co-founder and member of the NTCAR Hall of Fame Committee. “A standout in every respect, he has given back to his community and shaped our industry in so many wonderful ways.”
Founded in 1987, NTCAR Hall of Fame has celebrated region’s iconic movers and shakers
The Hall of Fame was launched in 1987, when the first six distinguished real estate recipients were Trammell Crow; Lyn Davis; Henry S. Miller, Jr.; John M. Stemmons, Sr. and his brother, L. Storey Stemmons; and Angus G. Wynne. Later additions to the roster included, among others, John Carpenter; Roger Staubach; Henry S. Miller Company; Jerry Jones; Ross Perot, Jr.; Gerald Hines and Jeff Hines; and Ray L. Hunt.
The most recent Hall of Fame inductees for 2023 were Ray W. Washburne, president of Highland Park Village, and Rex Glendenning, founder and owner of Rex Real Estate. Last year former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price received one of the rarely given Industry Service Awards.
The 2024 Hall of Fame recipients and other honorees will be listed in the fourth edition of THE BOOK – Dallas/Fort Worth Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame, which is being released in late 2024.
​
Originally published in 2008 with expanded editions produced in 2013 and 2019, THE BOOK captures the stories of past Hall of Fame honorees and Michael F. McAuley Award recipients along with other honorees – all legendary figures whose extraordinary vision and real estate prowess played a major role in North Texas’ development over the past 100 years.
The coffee table book, filled with historical photos, is available for $150. For details and to order, visit ntcarhalloffame.org/the-book, email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com or call 214-750-9247.
The North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame Committee members are event co-founders Robert Grunnah (Emeritus),Darrell Hurmis and Chris Teesdale along with Greg Cannon, Kathy Permenter, Lynn Dowdle, Bill Cox, Jack Gosnell and Teri Abram.
Holland Morris is executive director of the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and Real Estate Professionals.
The media partner for the 2024 Hall of Fame event is D CEO magazine.
NOTE: GO HERE FOR HONOREE PHOTOS, AND FOR INTERVIEWS CONTACT BECKY MAYAD AT 214-697-7745 CELL OR BECKY@MAYADPR.COM
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ABOUT NTCAR
Founded in 1995, NTCAR is a trade association that exists to enhance the business opportunities of its members through real-time access to critical real estate information, education, recognition and networking events. One of the first and leading local commercial real estate associations in the country, NTCAR’s members benefit from proprietary industry resources and customized services. For more information, go to ntcarhalloffame.org or email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com.
CONTACT:
Becky Mayad
cell: 214-697-7745
becky@mayadpr.com
Rex Glendenning and Ray Washburne Inducted Into the NTCAR Hall of Fame
KRLD CEO SPOTLIGHT with DAVID JOHNSON
Interview with Mayor Betsy Price
KRLD CEO SPOTLIGHT with DAVID JOHNSON
Rex Glendenning and Ray Washburne Named 2023 Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame Inductees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RAY W. WASHBURNE AND REX GLENDENNING TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE
2023 NORTH TEXAS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HALL OF FAME ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 3
Former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price to receive the 2023 Industry Service Award
DALLAS (Dec. 6, 2022) – Two esteemed visionaries will be officially welcomed into the North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame this coming year. One is the current owner of America’s oldest shopping center, a national real estate investor and a famed restauranteur. The other is a leader whose bold vision resulted in the move of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters to Frisco and development of the surrounding multi-use project, “The Star.”
Ray W. Washburne, president of Highland Park Village, and Rex Glendenning, founder and owner of Rex Real Estate, will be inducted into the 2023 North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame in cooperation with NTCAR, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Arts District Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave in downtown Dallas. The event will begin at 5 p.m.
Also, former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price will receive a special award – the Industry Service Award – for her remarkable contributions advancing the commercial real estate industry through her efforts in economic development, mobility, infrastructure and private-public partnerships.
Chris Teesdale, a NTCAR Hall of Fame founder, is the 2023 event chair. Sponsorships for the Hall of Fame event are available with title sponsorships at $25,000, platinum sponsorships at $10,000 and gold sponsorships at $5,000. For more information, go to ntcarhalloffame.org or email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com.
”We started the North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame in 1988 to honor those individuals who have made a significant impact on the commercial real estate industry of North Texas,” said Teesdale. “I am extremely excited about our two honorees this year and the opportunity to recognize former Mayor Betsy Price for her leadership that has made a significant impact on the Fort Worth area.”
Honorees have shaped North Texas in remarkable ways
Hall of Fame inductee Ray W. Washburne is president of Highland Park Village, the oldest shopping center in the United States. Highly regarded as Dallas’ premier open-air shopping and dining destination, Washburne acquired the landmark 80-year-old property in 2009 with his wife, Heather, and Elisa and Stephen Summers. In addition, Ray Washburne is president and CEO of Charter Holdings, a private Dallas-based real estate investment company, and co-founder and co-owner of M Crowd Restaurant Group, which owns and operates Mi Cocina and The Mercury restaurants with locations around the U.S.
“Ray Washburne is not only a dynamic leader but also a savvy entrepreneur who brings success to every endeavor with which he’s involved,” said Darrell Hurmis, Hall of Fame co-founder and committee member. “We also greatly appreciate the time he’s given in service to his college, community and country.”
Washburne served as the former president and CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a self-sustaining United States government agency that helps American businesses expand into developing markets, serving until February 2019. He later served on the President’s Intelligence Agency Board (PIAB) from May 2019 to January 2021 and an advisory board for the United States Military Southern Command.
A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Washburne served as an adjunct professor at the SMU Cox School of Business. Ongoing involvement and board memberships include chairman of the board at Sunoco LP, World Presidents Organization, The Real Estate Council, International Council of Shopping Centers, Urban Land Institute, SMU Cox School of Business, SMU Tower Center and Baylor Health Care System.
Hall of Fame Inductee Rex Glendenning’s appreciation for land comes from his roots, being born into a fourth-generation Celina family of Scottish descent. He was raised on family farms and has memories of chopping endless rows of cotton. That depth of understanding and his intensely personal approach to business relationships has led to Glendenning brokering land transactions in one of the country’s most important and prestigious growth corridors.
“Rex’s prodigious creativity, work ethic, and negotiation skills have contributed greatly to the
strong growth north of Dallas,” said Robert Grunnah, Hall of Fame co-founder and committee member.
Glendenning has orchestrated many of Dallas-Fort Worth’s highest-profile projects, such as Frisco Bridges, Granite Park, Viridian, Trophy Club, The Gates of Prosper and many more. One of his most notable concepts was moving the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters from Irving to Frisco, establishing the iconic mixed-use project known as The Star.
After playing football at the University of North Texas, where he remains a loyal alumnus, Glendenning moved back to his hometown of Celina. There, he and his wife, Sherese, founded REX Real Estate® and raised their three children.
During his more than four decades of brokering nearly every piece of land in North Texas at least once, Glendenning has been recognized frequently in industry publications. Dallas Business Journal has listed his firm’s projects in its “Best Real Estate Deal” numerous times since 2000, including the top three places in each of the last two years.
Grateful for his close-knit family, now including five grandchildren, Rex is an avid supporter of the Celina community and is active in real estate professional associations.
Former Mayor Betsy Price, the 2023 Industry Service Award recipient, was a popular mayor whose leadership brought significant improvements to Fort Worth. She currently serves as senior executive of business development for the Overwatch Fund, a private real estate investment firm with 20 years of expertise.
After running her own successful business for 17 years, Mayor Price turned to public service and was first elected in 2000 to serve as Tarrant County’s Tax Assessor. She quickly made her department one of the most efficient in Texas, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
After a decade as Tax Assessor, Price was elected as Mayor of Fort Worth in 2011 and served through 2021. As Mayor, she brought an ambitious vision, working to improve the basics of any growing city – public safety, mobility, fiscal responsibility and job growth.
A primary focus for her was mobility and improving municipal infrastructure investment.. With the regional, state-wide and North American trade picture in mind, she championed successful public/private partnerships that helped advance major highway expansion projects, filling a gap left by state funding. Additionally, she was a cheerleader for regional approaches to improve mobility, including light rail expansion, ride sharing innovation and more.
Price has been an active mother, proud grandmother and a civic leader in the Fort Worth community for decades, serving numerous boards, commissions and professional associations. She and her husband, Tom, have raised three adult children.
Founded in 1988, NTCAR Hall of Fame has celebrated region’s iconic movers and shakers
The Hall of Fame was launched in 1988, when the first six distinguished real estate recipients were Trammell Crow; Lyn Davis; Henry S. Miller, Jr.; John M. Stemmons, Sr. and his brother, L. Storey Stemmons; and Angus G. Wynne. Later additions to the roster included John Carpenter; Roger Staubach; Henry S. Miller Company; Jerry Jones; Ross Perot, Jr.; Gerald Hines and Jeff Hines;Ray L. Hunt; and many others.
The most recent Hall of Fame inductees for 2022 were Tim Headington, founder and CEO of Headington Companies, and Bill Cawley,chairman and CEO of Cawley Partners. David Gleeson, sole owner of
GRAA Investments, LLC received the Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award.
Hall of Fame recipients through 2018 are currently featured in the third edition of THE BOOK – Dallas/Fort Worth Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Originally published in 2008 with expanded editions in 2013 and 2019, THE BOOK captures the stories of past Hall of Fame honorees and Michael F. McAuley Award recipients – all legendary figures whose extraordinary vision and real estate prowess played a major role in North Texas’ development over the past 100 years. A fourth edition, which will include the most recent honorees, will be released in 2024.
The coffee table book, filled with historical photos, is available for $150. Please visit ntcarhalloffame.org/the-book, email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com or call 214-750-9247.
In addition to 2023 event chair Chris Teesdale, the North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame Committee members are Robert Grunnah (Emeritus), Darrell Hurmis, Greg Cannon, Kathy Permenter, Lynn Dowdle, Bill Cox, Jack Gosnell and Teri Abram.
Holland Morris is executive director of the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and Real Estate Professionals.
The media partner for the 2023 Hall of Fame event is D CEO magazine.
Founded in 1995, NTCAR is a trade association that exists to enhance the business opportunities of its members through real-time access to critical real estate information, education, recognition and networking events. One of the first and leading local commercial real estate associations in the country, NTCAR’s members benefit from proprietary industry resources and customized services.
For more information, go to ntcarhalloffame.org or email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com.
NOTE: FOR PHOTOS OF THE HONOREES, PLEASE CONTACT BECKY MAYAD
AT 214-352-1881 OR 214-697-7745 CELL OR BECKY@MAYADPR.COM
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CONTACT:
Becky Mayad
work: 214-352-1881
cell: 214-697-7745
becky@mayadpr.com
NORTH TEXAS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HALL OF FAME MOVES EVENT TO OCTOBER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RESCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6, 2021
RAY L. HUNT OF HUNT CONSOLIDATED AND
LEON J. BACKES OF PROVIDENT REALTY ADVISORS TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE
NORTH TEXAS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HALL OF FAME
B. Diane Butler, co-founder and previous executive chairman/CEO of Butler Burgher Group, to receive
Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award for service to real estate industry and civic organizations
DALLAS (March 31, 2021) – A powerful pair of North Texas real estate leaders – one whose decades-long work has left an immeasurable mark on Dallas, the other a visionary entrepreneur whose savvy deals and developments are valued upwards of $3 billion – will at last receive their industry’s top honors.
The North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame, in cooperation with NTCAR, will induct Ray L. Hunt, executive chairman of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., and Leon J. Backes, founder and chief executive officer of Provident Realty Advisors, Inc., into the 2020/2021 Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Originally slated for May 2020, the event has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Also, B. Diane Butler, the co-founder and previous executive chairman and chief executive officer of Butler Burgher Group, will receive the Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is presented to an individual who has dedicated countless hours of personal effort to their community, to professional organizations committed to the real estate industry and to charitable pursuits during their professional real estate career. Additionally, the award recognizes the individual’s commitment to promoting integrity, honesty, reciprocation and professionalism throughout their commercial real estate career. (See bios on all honorees at the end of this release.)
Marking its 34th anniversary, the Reunion and Hall of Fame event will be held Oct. 6 at the Dallas Country Club (4100 Beverly Dr.) with an hors d’oeuvres reception beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m. The title sponsors for this year’s event are The Karahan Companies and Farmers Bank & Trust. Dallas Business Journal is the media partner. NOTE: A very limited number of sponsorships remain for the rescheduled event – inductee table sponsorships at $10,000 and gold sponsorships at $5,000. For more information, go to ntcarhalloffame.org or email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com.
While Ray L. Hunt’s career has traditionally been defined by his successful stewardship of the oil and gas company his father created in 1934, Hunt is also known for his immeasurable contributions to real estate and community development throughout North Texas for almost 50 years. Starting in the early 1970s, he began a dedicated effort to establish a real estate business for the company, combining a long-term positive view of the industry with a desire to seek innovative partnership opportunities where available. As a result, Hunt’s vision changed and defined the landscape of Dallas, with a unique public-private partnership with the City of Dallas named Reunion, and the ultimate development of the iconic Reunion Tower and Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Today, the real estate business that Hunt created is still making its mark throughout North Texas. Hunt Realty’s direct-owned assets in Dallas include its Reunion Holdings including the Tower, the hotel and approximately 20 acres of undeveloped land, the North End Apartments in Uptown and Hunt Consolidated’s downtown headquarters campus. Hunt Realty is also partnering with The Karahan Companies, Chief Partners and Cross Tie Partners to develop the 2,500-acre master-planned and mixed-use project in Frisco known as Fields. Within Fields will be residential and mixed-use commercial properties as well as the location of the national headquarters for the PGA of America and an Omni Resort Hotel and two championship-level golf courses owned and developed by TRT Holdings.
Over the 45 years since starting what has become Hunt Realty Investments, Hunt has partnered with key civic leaders such as Walt Humann (Bon Terre Investments) and John Scovell (Woodbine Development Corporation) and several nationally successful operating companies, including JPI, Newland Real Estate Group, Trinsic Residential, Bridge Development Partners and many more. Hunt continues to partner with select, high-quality sponsors in unique projects impacting the North Texas community, including Woodbine as it expands its footprint and transitions to the next generation of Scovells.
“Ray Hunt’s masterful investments in Dallas have contributed greatly to the success of our downtown and literally defined our skyline,” said Greg Cannon, co-chair of the 2020/2021 North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame event committee member. “His expansion into acclaimed luxury properties and master-planned residential communities illustrates the extraordinary vision he possesses.”
Leon J. Backes formed Provident Realty Advisors, Inc. in 1991, and today the company focuses on acquisition and development of multifamily projects, master-planned communities and land development along with leasing, management and construction of retail, office, industrial and self-storage projects.
Provident has developed or acquired more than $500 million in retail developments, more than 30 self-storage projects, 1.5 million square feet of office space, 15,000-plus apartment units and several thousand residential lots. The company currently manages a land portfolio exceeding 3,000 acres (inclusive of active development projects).
Additionally, Backes has been an opportunistic purchaser of distressed notes on real estate and other assets and has substantial private equity and oil and gas interests.
His major projects include Preston Hollow Village and The Katy in Dallas, Paloma Creek master-planned community in Little Elm, Prairie Ridge master-planned community in Ellis and Johnson Counties, and Tavalo Park master-planned community in Fort Worth.
“Leon is an artist at heart, so combine that creativity with incredible business acumen, and you have a winning formula. Not only does he have significant holdings, he is spearheading some of Dallas’ most beautiful developments, including the stunning Preston Hollow Village,” said Lynn Dowdle, co-chair of the 2020/2021 North Texas Real Estate Commercial Hall of Fame event committee member.
Recipient of this year’s McAuley Award, B. Diane Butler is a visionary leader who combines a wealth of real estate wisdom and expertise with a servant leader heart.
Butler was the co-founder and previously executive chairman and chief executive officer of Butler Burgher Group (BBG), a leading national due diligence commercial real estate firm. She continues to serve on BBG’s Board of Directors and is a shareholder. Currently, she’s founder and principal of Butler Advisers.
Among Butler’s many regional and national contributions, she served as chair for both The Real Estate Council (TREC) and TREC Foundation and chaired TREC Fight Night. Butler was the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) National President in 2012, received the “CREW Entrepreneurial Spirit Impact Award” in 2016 and was honored nationally as a “CREW Distinguished Leader” in 2014. She was a Trustee of the CREW Foundation and was inducted into the “CREW Visionaries” program in 2007 for advancing women in commercial real estate. CREW Dallas honored Butler with its “CREW in the Community Award for Philanthropic Excellence” in 2018.
She is a member of the National Multifamily Housing Council, National Association of Corporate Directors, Appraisal Institute, Urban Land Institute, Dallas Assembly, Dallas Regional Chamber Executive Women’s Roundtable, City of Dallas Housing and Acquisition Development Board and Interprise Design Board. Her nonprofit leadership roles also include Governor's Greg Abbott’s Small Business Forum for Women, Texas Women’s Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, WINGS Advisory Board, Volunteers of America LPGA Classic and First Tee.
“Diane Butler is an industry superstar who is known locally and nationally,” said Kathy Permenter, a 2020/2021 North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame event committee member. “In everything she does, she leads with excellence whether it’s one of the companies she’s founded, the young professionals she inspires – in particular women – or the nonprofits she supports.”
Founded in 1995, NTCAR is a trade association that exists to enhance the business opportunities of its members through real-time access to critical real estate information, education, recognition and networking events. One of the first and leading local commercial real estate associations in the country, NTCAR’s members benefit from proprietary industry resources and customized services.
The NTCAR Hall of Fame was launched in 1988, when the first six distinguished real estate recipients were Trammell Crow; Lyn Davis; Henry S. Miller, Jr.; John M. Stemmons, Sr. and his brother, L. Storey Stemmons; and Angus G. Wynne. Later additions to the roster included John Carpenter; Roger Staubach; Henry S. Miller Company; Jerry Jones; Ross Perot, Jr.; Gerald Hines and Jeff Hines; and many others.
In 2019, the inductees were Fehmi Karahan, president and chief executive officer of The Karahan Companies, and Holt Lunsford, founder and chief executive officer of Holt Lunsford Commercial. Charles “Chuck” G. Dannis of Crosson Dannis Inc. received the Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award.
These and other recent Hall of Fame recipients are currently featured in the third edition of THE BOOK – Dallas/Fort Worth Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame – which was unveiled last summer. Created in 2008 with expanded editions in 2013 and 2019, THE BOOK captures the stories of past Hall of Fame honorees and Michael F. McAuley Award recipients – all legendary figures whose extraordinary vision and real estate prowess played a major role in North Texas’ development over the past 100 years.
The coffee table book, filled with historical photos, is available for $150. Please visit ntcarhalloffame.org/the-book, email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com or call 214-750-9247.
In addition to event co-chairs Greg Cannon and Lynn Dowdle, the North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame Committee members are Darrell Hurmis, Robert Grunnah (Emeritus), Chris Teesdale, Kathy Permenter, Bill Cox and Jack Gosnell. Holland Morris is executive director of the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and Real Estate Professionals.
For more information, go to ntcarhalloffame.org or email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com.
NOTE: FOR PHOTOS OF THE HONOREES, PLEASE CONTACT BECKY MAYAD
AT 214-352-1881 OR 214-697-7745 CELL OR BECKY@MAYADPR.COM
##
CONTACT:
Becky Mayad
work: 214-352-1881
cell: 214-697-7745
becky@mayadpr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RESCHEDULED FOR SEPT. 22
RAY L. HUNT OF HUNT CONSOLIDATED AND
LEON J. BACKES OF PROVIDENT REALTY ADVISORS TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE
NORTH TEXAS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HALL OF FAME
B. Diane Butler, co-founder and previous executive chairman/CEO of Butler Burgher Group, to receive
Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award for service to real estate industry and civic organizations
DALLAS (April 7, 2020) – A powerful pair of North Texas real estate leaders – one whose decades-long work has left an immeasurable mark on Dallas, the other a visionary entrepreneur whose savvy deals and developments are valued upwards of $3 billion – will receive their industry’s top honors this fall.
The North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame, in cooperation with NTCAR, will induct Ray L. Hunt, executive chairman of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., and Leon J. Backes, founder and chief executive officer of Provident Realty Advisors, Inc., into the 2020 Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Originally slated for May 5, the event has been rescheduled for Sept. 22 due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Also, B. Diane Butler, the co-founder and previous executive chairman and chief executive officer of Butler Burgher Group, will receive the Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is presented to an individual who has dedicated countless hours of personal effort to their community, to professional organizations committed to the real estate industry and to charitable pursuits during their professional real estate career. Additionally, the award recognizes the individual’s commitment to promoting integrity, honesty, reciprocation and professionalism throughout their commercial real estate career. (See bios on all honorees at the end of this release.)
Marking its 34th anniversary, the Reunion and Hall of Fame event has been rescheduled to September 22 at the Dallas Country Club (4100 Beverly Dr.) with an hors d’oeuvres reception beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m. The title sponsors for this year’s event are The Karahan Companies and Farmers Bank & Trust. NOTE: A very limited number of sponsorships remain for the rescheduled event – inductee table sponsorships at $10,000 and gold sponsorships at $5,000. For more information, go to ntcarhalloffame.org or email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com
.
While Ray L. Hunt’s career has traditionally been defined by his successful stewardship of the oil and gas company his father created in 1934, Hunt is also known for his immeasurable contributions to real estate and community development throughout North Texas for almost 50 years. Starting in the early 1970s, he began a dedicated effort to establish a real estate business for the company, combining a long-term positive view of the industry with a desire to seek innovative partnership opportunities where available. As a result, Hunt’s vision changed and defined the landscape of Dallas, with a unique public-private partnership with the City of Dallas named Reunion, and the ultimate development of the iconic Reunion Tower and Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Today, the real estate business that Hunt created is still making its mark throughout North Texas. Hunt Realty’s direct-owned assets in Dallas include its Reunion Holdings including the Tower, the hotel and approximately 20 acres of undeveloped land, the North End Apartments in Uptown and Hunt Consolidated’s downtown headquarters campus. Hunt Realty is also partnering with The Karahan Companies, Chief Partners and Cross Tie Partners to develop the 2,500-acre master-planned and mixed-use project in Frisco known as Fields. Within Fields will be residential and mixed-use commercial properties as well as the location of the national headquarters for the PGA of America and an Omni Resort Hotel and two championship-level golf courses owned and developed by TRT Holdings.
Over the 45 years since starting what has become Hunt Realty Investments, Hunt has partnered with key civic leaders such as Walt Humann (Bon Terre Investments) and John Scovell (Woodbine Development Corporation) and several nationally successful operating companies, including JPI, Newland Real Estate Group, Trinsic Residential, Bridge Development Partners and many more. Hunt continues to partner with select, high-quality sponsors in unique projects impacting the North Texas community, including Woodbine as it expands its footprint and transitions to the next generation of Scovells.
“Ray Hunt’s masterful investments in Dallas have contributed greatly to the success of our downtown and literally defined our skyline,” said Greg Cannon, co-chair of the 2020 North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame event committee member. “His expansion into acclaimed luxury properties and master-planned residential communities illustrates the extraordinary vision he possesses.”
Leon J. Backes formed Provident Realty Advisors, Inc. in 1991, and today the company focuses on acquisition and development of multifamily projects, master-planned communities and land development along with leasing, management and construction of retail, office, industrial and self-storage projects.
Provident has developed or acquired more than $500 million in retail developments, more than 30 self-storage projects, 1.5 million square feet of office space, 15,000-plus apartment units and several thousand residential lots. The company currently manages a land portfolio exceeding 3,000 acres (inclusive of active development projects).
Additionally, Backes has been an opportunistic purchaser of distressed notes on real estate and other assets and has substantial private equity and oil and gas interests.
His major projects include Preston Hollow Village and The Katy in Dallas, Paloma Creek master-planned community in Little Elm, Prairie Ridge master-planned community in Ellis and Johnson Counties, and Tavalo Park master-planned community in Fort Worth.
“Leon is an artist at heart, so combine that creativity with incredible business acumen, and you have a winning formula. Not only does he have significant holdings, he is spearheading some of Dallas’ most beautiful developments, including the stunning Preston Hollow Village,” said Lynn Dowdle, co-chair of the 2020 North Texas Real Estate Commercial Hall of Fame event committee member.
Recipient of this year’s McAuley Award, B. Diane Butler is a visionary leader who combines a wealth of real estate wisdom and expertise with a servant leader heart.
Butler was the co-founder and previously executive chairman and chief executive officer of Butler Burgher Group (BBG), a leading national due diligence commercial real estate firm. She continues to serve on BBG’s Board of Directors and is a shareholder. Currently, she’s founder and principal of Butler Advisers.
Among Butler’s many regional and national contributions, she served as chair for both The Real Estate Council (TREC) and TREC Foundation and chaired TREC Fight Night. Butler was the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) National President in 2012, received the “CREW Entrepreneurial Spirit Impact Award” in 2016 and was honored nationally as a “CREW Distinguished Leader” in 2014. She was a Trustee of the CREW Foundation and was inducted into the “CREW Visionaries” program in 2007 for advancing women in commercial real estate. CREW Dallas honored Butler with its “CREW in the Community Award for Philanthropic Excellence” in 2018.
She is a member of the National Multifamily Housing Council, National Association of Corporate Directors, Appraisal Institute, Urban Land Institute, Dallas Assembly, Dallas Regional Chamber Executive Women’s Roundtable, City of Dallas Housing and Acquisition Development Board and Interprise Design Board. Her nonprofit leadership roles also include Governor's Greg Abbott’s Small Business Forum for Women, Texas Women’s Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, WINGS Advisory Board, Volunteers of America LPGA Classic and First Tee.
“Diane Butler is an industry superstar who is known locally and nationally,” said Kathy Permenter, a 2020 North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame event committee member. “In everything she does, she leads with excellence whether it’s one of the companies she’s founded, the young professionals she inspires – in particular women – or the nonprofits she supports.”
Founded in 1995, NTCAR is a trade association that exists to enhance the business opportunities of its members through real-time access to critical real estate information, education, recognition and networking events. One of the first and leading local commercial real estate associations in the country, NTCAR’s members benefit from proprietary industry resources and customized services.
The NTCAR Hall of Fame was launched in 1988, when the first six distinguished real estate recipients were Trammell Crow; Lyn Davis; Henry S. Miller, Jr.; John M. Stemmons, Sr. and his brother, L. Storey Stemmons; and Angus G. Wynne. Later additions to the roster included John Carpenter; Roger Staubach; Henry S. Miller Company; Jerry Jones; Ross Perot, Jr.; Gerald Hines and Jeff Hines; and many others.
In 2019, the inductees were Fehmi Karahan, president and chief executive officer of The Karahan Companies, and Holt Lunsford, founder and chief executive officer of Holt Lunsford Commercial. Charles “Chuck” G. Dannis of Crosson Dannis Inc. received the Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award.
These and other recent Hall of Fame recipients are currently featured in the third edition of THE BOOK – Dallas/Fort Worth Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame – which was unveiled last summer. Created in 2008 with expanded editions in 2013 and 2019, THE BOOK captures the stories of past Hall of Fame honorees and Michael F. McAuley Award recipients – all legendary figures whose extraordinary vision and real estate prowess played a major role in North Texas’ development over the past 100 years.
The coffee table book, filled with historical photos, is available for $150. Please visit ntcarhalloffame.org/the-book, email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com or call 214-750-9247.
In addition to event co-chairs Greg Cannon and Lynn Dowdle, the North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame Committee members are Darrell Hurmis, Robert Grunnah (Emeritus), Chris Teesdale, Kathy Permenter, Bill Cox and Jack Gosnell.
For more information, go to ntcarhalloffame.org or email HallofFame@eventlinkintl.com.
NOTE: FOR PHOTOS OF THE HONOREES, PLEASE CONTACT BECKY MAYAD
AT 214-352-1881 OR 214-697-7745 CELL OR BECKY@MAYADPR.COM
##
CONTACT:
Becky Mayad
work: 214-352-1881
cell: 214-697-7745
becky@mayadpr.com
​
BIOS
RAY L. HUNT
Executive Chairman
Hunt Consolidated, Inc.
2020 Hall of Fame honoree
Ray L. Hunt is executive chairman of Hunt Consolidated, Inc. His association with Hunt Oil Company began in 1958 when he joined as a summer employee in the oil fields.
Hunt also currently serves on the boards of directors of Bessemer Securities Corporation and King Ranch, Inc. His previous board memberships include the Halliburton Company and PepsiCo, Inc.
From October 2001 to January 2009 Hunt was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the President's Intelligence Advisory Board in Washington, D.C.
In 1998, Hunt was appointed to the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. He served as chairman of the board from 2002 to 2006. Additionally, Hunt is a member of the National Petroleum Council, an advisory organization to the Secretary of Energy in Washington, D.C. Hunt served as its chairman from June 1991 to July 1994. Hunt is also a member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame.
Active in civic affairs, Hunt has previously served as chairman of the board of trustees of Southern Methodist University, chairman of the Dallas Citizens Council, and chairman of the Central Dallas Association. He is currently chairman of Dallas Medical Resource and also serves on the board of trustees of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., and the board of trustees of The Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas.
Hunt also serves on the board of directors of the George W. Bush Foundation in Dallas, Texas.
Hunt has received many energy industry awards, including the American Petroleum Institute Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement, the Distinguished Service and Leadership Award of the 25-Year Club of the Petroleum Industry, the Public Service Award of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and the Distinguished Service Award for the Texas Oil and Gas Association. Hunt has been elected an All-American Wildcatter and the Southwestern Legal Foundation gave him the John Rogers Award "for distinguished service to the petroleum industry and civic institutions."
Other awards Hunt has received include the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce's J. Erik Jonsson Award, the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies Award for Corporate Citizenship, the Dallas Morning News' Linz Award, and the SMU Maguire Center for Ethics & Public Responsibility's J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award.
Hunt graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1965, where he was designated a University Scholar, with a degree in economics.
LEON J. BACKES
FOUNDER & CEO
PROVIDENT REALTY ADVISORS, INC.
2020 Hall of Fame honoree
Leon J. Backes graduated from the University of Missouri in 1979 with a degree in Business Administration. Upon graduating, Backes entered the Coldwell Banker (now CBRE) management training program in Houston, Texas. Coldwell Banker transferred him to Dallas in 1980, and Backes left CB in 1981 with the firm’s two top producers to form Leon Brothers & Associates, specializing in the sale and leasing of industrial real estate.
In 1983 Backes formed Backes & Platt Investments and was a partner in that firm until 1991 when Backes formed Provident Realty Advisors, Inc. Provident’s initial focus was the opportunistic acquisition of real estate assets from failed financial institutions. During the early 1990s, Backes was able to acquire a land portfolio of over 85 land and other assets at the trough of the market. When those opportunities ended, Provident, in addition to land, broadened its interests becoming a major real estate investment and development company focused on opportunistic real estate projects which offered the potential for risk adjusted above market returns. Following this model, Backes has formed and led partnerships to invest in or develop real estate with a market value in excess of 3 billion dollars.
Today, PROVIDENT REALTY ADVISORS, INC is involved in land acquisition and development, the acquisition, development, leasing and management and construction of retail, office, apartment and self-storage projects. Provident has developed or acquired more than $500 million dollars of retail developments, over 30 self-storage projects, 1.5 million square feet of office, over 15,000 apartment units, several thousand residential lots and currently manages a land portfolio exceeding 8,000 acres (inclusive of active development projects).
Additionally, Backes is an opportunistic purchaser of distressed notes on real estate and other assets.
Backes has substantial oil and gas holdings and majority ownerships in an institutional pharmacy business, commercial lighting distributor, and several free-standing emergency rooms.
Over the years, Provident has enjoyed successful relationships with many major financial institutions such as Comerica Bank, US Bank, Plains Capital Bank, BBVA, Simmons Bank, Wells Fargo, as well as many regional and local firms. Investors with Backes or Provident have included; Angelo Gordon Real Estate, Institutional Housing Partners (CalPERS), Farallon Capital Management, Centerline Capital Group, Hudson Housing Capital, The Kroenke Group and many local and regional firms and individuals.
Backes is the former Chairman of the Board and current board member of New Horizons Ranch and Center, a non-profit residential treatment center specializing in the care of sexually and physically abused children.
Backes is married to Jane Backes and has two sons, John, and Blake. He resides in Dallas.
B. DIANE BUTLER
FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL
BUTLER ADVISERS
2020 Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
B. Diane Butler was the Co-Founder and previously Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Butler Burgher Group (BBG), a leading national due diligence commercial real estate firm. She continues to serve on BBG’s Board of Directors and is a Shareholder.
She has more than 30 years of commercial real estate expertise in valuation, consulting and feasibility studies. Butler has significant experience in all types of multi-family housing, student housing, healthcare, single and multi-tenant office buildings, industrial, retail, mixed-use developments and master-planned communities including expertise in Agency, FHA and Affordable Housing Appraisals and Market Studies.
In 1998, she co-founded Trophy Investments with David Burgher, using their multi-disciplinary backgrounds to invest and develop various projects. This included grocery-anchored and strip shopping centers, office buildings, a self-storage facility, industrial and medical office buildings, specialty hospitals, various tracts of commercial land and the redevelopment of a 28-acre, 270,000 square foot mixed-use project in Fort Worth.
Butler is a change agent and visionary acknowledged nationally for building organizations and growing revenue. As an entrepreneur and business consultant, her expertise includes real estate development, acquisitions and dispositions; investment management and consultancy; location and footprint strategy; market research and diligence; business consulting; corporate mergers and acquisitions; property and portfolio financing strategies; risk management and underwriting; valuation counseling; and board and advisory leadership.
She served as Chairman of TREC (The Real Estate Council) in 2016, and previously was Chairman of TREC FightNight and Chairman of the TREC Foundation. Butler was the CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) National President in 2012, received the “CREW Entrepreneurial Spirit Impact Award” in 2016 and was honored nationally as a “CREW Distinguished Leader” in 2014. She was a Trustee of the CREW Foundation and was inducted into the “CREW Visionaries” program in 2007 for advancing women in Commercial Real Estate.
Butler was also recognized by Real Estate Forum among “Women of Influence in Commercial Real Estate,” honored by Commercial Property News as a “Top Woman Executive in Commercial Real Estate” and selected by Bisnow as one of “Dallas’ Most Influential Women in Commercial Real Estate.” Additionally, she has been recognized multiple times in DCEO Magazine‘s “Dallas 500” among “Top Commercial Real Estate Executives.” CREW Dallas honored her with its “CREW the Community Award for Philanthropic Excellence” in 2018. Butler was honored as the “2018 Extraordinary Woman” by the Powerful Purses organization.
She is a member of the National Multifamily Housing Council, National Association of Corporate Directors, Appraisal Institute, Urban Land Institute, Dallas Assembly, Dallas Regional Chamber Executive Women’s Roundtable, City of Dallas Housing and Acquisition Development Board and Interprise Design Board.
Her non-profit leadership roles have included CREW Dallas, TREC, North Texas Appraisal Institute, Governor's Greg Abbott’s Small Business Forum for Women, Texas Women’s Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, WINGS Advisory Board, Volunteers of America LPGA Classic and First Tee.
Butler is also a designated expert witness and has testified in a variety of court cases concerning real estate valuation. She was born in Alligator, Mississippi, but as the saying goes, “got to Texas as fast as she could.” A graduate of Mississippi State University, Butler has a bachelor’s in business administration with a double major in finance and real estate. She holds the MAI, FRICS and CCIM designations.
###
The Real Estate Network SHOUT-OUTS March/April 2020 issue
Two top Dallas real estate market players will be honored
Dallas Commercial Real Estate Icons Land Spots in NTCAR Hall of Fame
Press Release from NTCAR Hall of Fame Headquarters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RAY L. HUNT OF HUNT CONSOLIDATED AND LEON J. BACKES OF
PROVIDENT REALTY ADVISORS TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE
NORTH TEXAS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HALL OF FAME TUESDAY, MAY 5
B. Diane Butler, co-founder and previous executive chairman/CEO of Butler Burgher Group, to receive
Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award for service to real estate industry and civic organizations
DALLAS (Feb. 10, 2020) – A powerful pair of North Texas real estate leaders – one whose decades-long work has left an immeasurable mark on Dallas, the other a visionary entrepreneur whose savvy deals and developments are valued upwards of $3 billion – will receive their industry’s top honors this spring.
On Tuesday, May 5, the North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame, in cooperation with NTCAR, will induct Ray L. Hunt, executive chairman of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., and Leon J. Backes, founder and chief executive officer of Provident Realty Advisors, Inc., into the 2020 Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame.
Also, B. Diane Butler, the co-founder and previous executive chairman and chief executive officer of Butler Burgher Group, will receive the Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is presented to an individual who has dedicated countless hours of personal effort to their community, to professional organizations committed to the real estate industry and to charitable pursuits during their professional real estate career. Additionally, the award recognizes the individual’s commitment to promoting integrity, honesty, reciprocation and professionalism throughout their commercial real estate career. (See bios on all honorees at the end of this release.)
Marking its 32nd anniversary, the Reunion and Hall of Fame event will be held May 5 at the Dallas Country Club (4100 Beverly Dr.) with an hors d’oeuvres reception beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m. The title sponsor of this year’s event is The Karahan Companies.
While Ray L. Hunt’s career has traditionally been defined by his successful stewardship of the oil and gas company his father created in 1934, Hunt is also known for his immeasurable contributions to real estate and community development throughout North Texas for almost 50 years. Starting in the early 1970s, he began a dedicated effort to establish a real estate business for the company, combining a long-term positive view of the industry with a desire to seek innovative partnership opportunities where available. As a result, Hunt’s vision changed and defined the landscape of Dallas, with a unique public-private partnership with the City of Dallas named Reunion, and the ultimate development of the iconic Reunion Tower and Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Today, the real estate business that Hunt created is still making its mark throughout North Texas. Hunt Realty’s direct-owned assets in Dallas include its Reunion Holdings including the Tower, the hotel and approximately 20 acres of undeveloped land, the North End Apartments in Uptown and Hunt Consolidated’s downtown headquarters campus. Hunt Realty is also partnering with The Karahan Companies, Chief Partners and Cross Tie Partners to develop the 2,500-acre master-planned and mixed-use project in Frisco known as Fields. Within Fields will be residential and mixed-use commercial properties as well as the location of the national headquarters for the PGA of America and an Omni Resort Hotel and two championship-level golf courses owned and developed by TRT Holdings.
Over the 45 years since starting what has become Hunt Realty Investments, Hunt has partnered with key civic leaders such as Walt Humann (Bon Terre Investments) and John Scovell (Woodbine Development Corporation) and several nationally successful operating companies, including JPI, Newland Real Estate Group, Trinsic Residential, Bridge Development Partners and many more. Hunt continues to partner with select, high-quality sponsors in unique projects impacting the North Texas community, including Woodbine as it expands its footprint and transitions to the next generation of Scovells.
“Ray Hunt’s masterful investments in Dallas have contributed greatly to the success of our downtown and literally defined our skyline,” said Greg Cannon, co-chair of the 2020 North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame event committee member. “His expansion into acclaimed luxury properties and master-planned residential communities illustrates the extraordinary vision he possesses.”
Leon J. Backes formed Provident Realty Advisors, Inc. in 1991, and today the company focuses on acquisition and development of multifamily projects, master-planned communities and land development along with leasing, management and construction of retail, office, industrial and self-storage projects.
Provident has developed or acquired more than $500 million in retail developments, more than 30 self-storage projects, 1.5 million square feet of office space, 15,000-plus apartment units and several thousand residential lots. The company currently manages a land portfolio exceeding 3,000 acres (inclusive of active development projects).
Additionally, Backes has been an opportunistic purchaser of distressed notes on real estate and other assets and has substantial private equity and oil and gas interests.
His major projects include Preston Hollow Village and The Katy in Dallas, Paloma Creek master-planned community in Little Elm, Prairie Ridge master-planned community in Ellis and Johnson Counties, and Tavalo Park master-planned community in Fort Worth.
“Leon is an artist at heart, so combine that creativity with incredible business acumen, and you have a winning formula. Not only does he have significant holdings, he is spearheading some of Dallas’ most beautiful developments, including the stunning Preston Hollow Village,” said Lynn Dowdle, co-chair of the 2020 North Texas Real Estate Commercial Hall of Fame event committee member.
Recipient of this year’s McAuley Award, B. Diane Butler is a visionary leader who combines a wealth of real estate wisdom and expertise with a servant leader heart.
Butler was the co-founder and previously executive chairman and chief executive officer of Butler Burgher Group (BBG), a leading national due diligence commercial real estate firm. She continues to serve on BBG’s Board of Directors and is a shareholder. Currently, she’s founder and principal of Butler Advisers.
Among Butler’s many regional and national contributions, she served as chair for both The Real Estate Council (TREC) and TREC Foundation and chaired TREC FightNight. Butler was the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) National President in 2012, received the “CREW Entrepreneurial Spirit Impact Award” in 2016 and was honored nationally as a “CREW Distinguished Leader” in 2014. She was a Trustee of the CREW Foundation and was inducted into the “CREW Visionaries” program in 2007 for advancing women in commercial real estate. CREW Dallas honored Butler with its “CREW in the Community Award for Philanthropic Excellence” in 2018.
She is a member of the National Multifamily Housing Council, National Association of Corporate Directors, Appraisal Institute, Urban Land Institute, Dallas Assembly, Dallas Regional Chamber Executive Women’s Roundtable, City of Dallas Housing and Acquisition Development Board and Interprise Design Board. Her nonprofit leadership roles also include Governor's Greg Abbott’s Small Business Forum for Women, Texas Women’s Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, WINGS Advisory Board, Volunteers of America LPGA Classic and First Tee.
“Diane Butler is an industry superstar who is known locally and nationally,” said Kathy Permenter, a 2020 North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame event committee member. “In everything she does, she leads with excellence whether it’s one of the companies she’s founded, the young professionals she inspires – in particular women – or the nonprofits she supports.”
Founded in 1995, NTCAR is a trade association that exists to enhance the business opportunities of its members through real-time access to critical real estate information, education, recognition and networking events. One of the first and leading local commercial real estate associations in the country, NTCAR’s members benefit from proprietary industry resources and customized services.
The NTCAR Hall of Fame was launched in 1988, when the first six distinguished real estate recipients were Trammell Crow; Lyn Davis; Henry S. Miller, Jr.; John M. Stemmons, Sr. and his brother, L. Storey Stemmons; and Angus G. Wynne. Later additions to the roster included John Carpenter; Roger Staubach; Henry S. Miller Company; Jerry Jones; Ross Perot, Jr.; Gerald Hines and Jeff Hines; and many others.
In 2019, the inductees were Fehmi Karahan, president and chief executive officer of The Karahan Companies, and Holt Lunsford, founder and chief executive officer of Holt Lunsford Commercial. Charles “Chuck” G. Dannis of Crosson Dannis Inc. received the Michael F. McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award.
These and other recent Hall of Fame recipients are currently featured in the third edition of THE BOOK – Dallas/Fort Worth Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame – which was unveiled last summer. Created in 2008 and updated in 2013 and 2019, THE BOOK captures the stories of past Hall of Fame honorees and Michael F. McAuley Award recipients – all legendary figures whose extraordinary vision and real estate prowess played a major role in North Texas’ development over the past 100 years.
The coffee table book, filled with historical photos, is available for $150. Please visit ntcarhalloffame.org/the-book, email ntcar@eventlinkinternational.com or call 214-750-9247.
In addition to event co-chairs Greg Cannon and Lynn Dowdle, the North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame Committee members are Darrell Hurmis, Robert Grunnah (Emeritus), Chris Teesdale, Kathy Permenter, Bill Cox and Jack Gosnell.
A number of sponsorships for the Hall of Fame dinner are available – title sponsor at $25,000, inductee table sponsorships at $10,000, and gold sponsorships at $5,000. For more information, go to ntcarhalloffame.org or email ntcar@eventlinkinternational.com.
NOTE: FOR PHOTOS OF THE HONOREES, PLEASE CONTACT BECKY MAYAD
AT 214-352-1881 OR 214-697-7745 CELL OR BECKY@MAYADPR.COM
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CONTACT:
Becky Mayad
work: 214-352-1881
cell: 214-697-7745
becky@mayadpr.com