
Leaning In
Leaning In is a podcast exploring the future of mixed-use real estate. Trademark Property Company CEO Terry Montesi, and other executives, speak with experts from various backgrounds and areas to discuss mixed-use, multifamily, and brick-and-mortar retail, and what it looks like to lean into it while others are leaning out.
For more information about Trademark, visit www.trademarkproperty.com
Latest episodes

Apr 29, 2024 • 46min
Retail's Future: Resilience, Adaptation, and Innovation with Tom McGee of ICSC
In this episode, Tom McGee, President and CEO of ICSC, joins host Terry Montesi to
explore the future of retail.
ICSC elevates the marketplaces and spaces where people shop, dine, work, play, and gather. Drawing from ICSC's extensive industry research, Tom offers perspectives on the vitality of physical retail, the necessity of adapting to changing needs, and the pivotal role of omnichannel strategies. He also shares key insights from ICSC’s Halo Report.
Tom also explores the ramifications of the demand for physical space, government regulatory
constraints, and recent news such as Macy's store closures.
Plus, discover the exciting initiatives of the ICSC Foundation, focused on providing valuable
networking and growth opportunities for emerging talent.
Subscribe to Leaning In for more discussions with leaders in retail and real estate.
Links:
Tom on LinkedIn
ICSC
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:35) - How has the industry changed over the past decade?
(00:04:53) - Supply and demand in brick and mortar
(00:09:40) - How to do you see the integration of online shopping shaping the future of retail shopping centers?
(00:11:37) - The Halo Report
(00:15:20) - The AI effect
(00:19:30) - Tom’s experience at the ICSC Federal Fly-in
(00:26:35) - What trends are going to impact the industry over the next decade?
(00:32:21) - Have there been any meaningful innovations in the space over the past 9 months?
(00:35:14) - How do you see the future of malls?
(00:39:26) - The ICSC Foundation and ICSC Las Vegas show

Mar 13, 2024 • 48min
Trademark of Success: Real Estate & Leadership Insights
It’s time to spotlight Trademark Founder Terry Montesi. In this insightful episode with Kevin Kessinger, Trademark's new President and COO, Terry shares his journey from the Memphis grocery business to groundbreaking retail and multifamily developments in Dallas Fort-Worth and beyond.
Discover what sets Trademark apart – a commitment to building a legacy that is not just financial. Plus, Terry reflects on lessons learned from transformative projects, like Market Street Woodlands and Saddle Creek, and discusses the future of real estate.
Leaning In is published every month. Subscribe to stay up to
date.
Links:
Trademark Property
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:00:52) - Introducing Kevin
(00:02:40) - Terry’s journey into Real Estate
(00:04:44) - Starting Trademark and reflecting on the company
(00:08:10) - Business and leadership philosophies
(00:17:10) - Reflecting on past projects
(00:25:31) - Pipeline and new initiatives
(00:27:00) - Retail is back!
(00:29:58) - Market fundamentals
(00:33:36) - Headwinds
(00:36:56) - Acquisitions and growth
(00:38:03) - Partnering with Trademark
(00:39:27) - Philanthropy
(00:41:56) - Terry’s passion
(00:43:47) - The #1 takeaway from the episode
(00:44:58) - What attracted Kevin to Trademark

Feb 12, 2024 • 59min
The 2024 State of the Real Estate Economy with Dr. Peter Linneman
In this episode of Leaning In, we welcome back Dr. Peter Linneman, authority on real estate economics and principal at Linneman Associates, for an update on the current economic landscape. Peter shares his predictions for 2024, discussing pent-up demand, inflation, and the Federal Reserve's role. He also sheds light on how housing data affects inflation measures and the impact of lower interest rates on capital markets. Plus, broader trends like shifts in healthcare costs and demographics.
Subscribe to hear future episodes as the Trademark team
speaks with experts in the real estate industry.
Links:
Linneman Associates, LLC
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:10) - Peter’s thoughts on the state of the economy
(00:14:49) - Predictions for the next 6 months
(00:25:56) - Rate cuts
(00:29:08) - Covid relief funds still on the sidelines
(00:40:00) - Predictions for capital markets
(00:43:08) - The multifamily market through 2026
(00:45:08) - The retail market through 2026
(00:48:06) - Mega trends for the rest of the decade
(00:52:15) - What is the one prevailing thought economists are wrong about?
(00:54:34) - How the 2024 election will impact the economy

Jan 17, 2024 • 50min
The Multifamily Market: 2024 Insights with Kimberly Byrum
Get a retrospective and a forward-looking perspective on multifamily from Kimberly Byrum, Zonda’s Managing Principal of Multifamily, in conversation with Trademark’s Chad Colley, Multifamily & Mixed-Use Partner.
The two explore the challenges and triumphs of the asset class, touching on topics including inflation, the capital market, and the practicality of office conversion.
Kimberly draws from over 25 years of experience to make bold predictions for 2024, provide insights into DFW’s resiliency and other prime markets, and explore emerging development and design trends such as build-to-rent single-family housing.
Leaning In is published every month, subscribe to stay up to date.
Links:
Kim on LinkedIn
Zonda
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:03) - Kimberly’s background and career
(00:03:49) - What headwinds were you predicting for 2023?
(00:07:04) - What trends do you predict for multifamily in 2024?
(00:12:50) - Dallas as an undersupplied market
(00:16:25) - What markets are going to be hot for multifamily in 2024?
(00:21:37) - Single-family design trends
(00:25:17) - Build to Rent
(00:27:26) - Are the pandemic escape markets seeing a cool down?
(00:28:53) - Is Austin the new Silicon Valley?
(00:29:32) - Capital markets
(00:35:11) - Office to Multifamily conversions
(00:38:32) - What do renters want in today’s market?
(00:47:07) - Final thoughts

Dec 12, 2023 • 55min
Capital Markets Conversation: 2023 Insights with JLL’s Mark Gibson (R)
Mark Gibson, CEO of JLL Capital Markets Americas, joins host Terry
Montesi for their yearly conversation on the state of capital markets.
Tune in for a macro perspective of recent changes in interest rates and inflation, and the condition of the CRE banking and debt markets. Plus, Mark shares his sector-specific views on retail, multifamily, mixed-use and office, and insights into the cities and trends that are reshaping the investment landscape.
Subscribe to Leaning In to never miss an episode.
Links:
JLL Capital Markets
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:55) Mark’s thoughts on the RE capital markets, inflation, and interest rates
(00:15:42) How long can capital realistically stay out of the market?
(00:21:45) How have things changed on the commercial real estate banking side of things in the past 6 months?
(00:26:08) Thoughts on the retail sector
(00:29:26) Thoughts on Multifamily
(00:39:30) Thoughts on Office
(00:44:57) Are institutional owners under pressure to sell CRE assets?
(00:47:28) What trends are you seeing that will impact CRE?
(00:51:06) Do you predict a soft landing or a recession?

Nov 15, 2023 • 42min
Making Headlines: DFW Real Estate with Dallas Morning News’ Steve Brown
Real estate journalist Steve Brown has chronicled top stories spanning the '80s savings and loan crash to the innovative developments shaping today’s Dallas-Fort Worth skyline.
In this episode with host Terry Montesi, Steve Brown covers it all – from the biggest stories of his career at The Dallas Morning News to the even bigger personalities he’s encountered in the real estate
industry.
Plus, Terry and Steve discuss the current state of office, multifamily and retail sectors, as well as DFW development projects making headlines.
Leaning In is published every month; subscribe to stay up to date.
Links:
Steve on the Dallas Morning News
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:01:31) - Steve’s career
(00:04:19) - Nationwide trends and economic trends in real estate
(00:06:03) - Steve’s top stories
(00:09:22) - Most impactful real estate people in DFW
(00:12:05) - The impact of covid on DFW
(00:13:42) - The most impactful projects coming up in DFW
(00:16:09) - The difference between Dallas and Fort Worth
(00:18:01) - Thoughts on the DFW office market
(00:22:58) - Thoughts on the DFW multifamily market
(00:25:22) - Thoughts on the DFW retail market
(00:28:58) - The DFW CRE story of the year
(00:32:09) - The unusual story of the year
(00:33:49) - Opportunities for CRE
(00:35:51) - What real estate writers will be covering next year
(00:39:06) - The most innovative developments over the past year

Oct 18, 2023 • 56min
The New 9-to-5: Exploring Today’s Office Asset Class with Michael Dardick of Granite Properties
On this episode of Leaning In, Michael Dardick, Founder and CEO of Granite Properties, speaks with host Terry Montesi about the past, present and future of the office sector.
They explore the performance of office assets and their resilience in critical U.S. markets. Additionally, Michael sheds light on Granite's work in flexible leasing and how his commercial real estate company remains dedicated to an employee-focused approach.
Leaning In is published every month, subscribe to stay up to date.
Links:
Granite Properties
Topics:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:34) Michael’s career and background
(00:04:25) What are your predictions for the office sector and capital markets?
(00:14:57) What are some of the most dramatic shifts you’ve seen over your career in this sector and what trends are you seeing now?
(00:18:05) What’s the strategy behind focusing on your 7 markets?
(00:22:43) What are you seeing in regard to rents and valuations?
(00:30:57) Have you seen any data on differences in productivity between companies who are in office, remote, or hybrid?
(00:41:04) Generational differences in dealing with hybrid work
(00:43:09) Granite’s Evolv program
(00:45:43) How should folks be investing right now?
(00:50:50) Winning the 2022 NAIOP developer of the year
(00:52:31) Michael’s charitable work in children’s healthcare

Sep 1, 2023 • 49min
Retail Insights & Innovations with JP Suarez
JP Suarez, retired Executive Vice President, Regional Chief Executive Officer and Chief Administration Officer of Walmart International, sits down with host Terry Montesi. They discuss leadership and retail, tracing JP's journey from prosecutor to his influential role in Walmart’s business development and real estate.
Tune in for key insights into management, Walmart’s success, real estate dynamics, the evolution of retail technology, and the health of brick-and-mortar stores.
Be sure to subscribe to hear future episodes as the Trademark team engages with experts in the real estate industry.
Links:
JP on LinkedIn
Trademark Property
Topics:
(00:01:45) JP’s early career working in politics and ultimately real estate
(00:05:00) JP’s experience working for Walmart
(00:19:29) Sam Walton stories
(00:21:56) What will Walmart stores of the future look like?
(00:30:23) The importance of brick and mortar in omni-channel distribution
(00:35:28) JP’s leadership style and management philosophy
(00:40:44) Thoughts on the state of retail today
(00:44:34) What is the health of brick-and-mortar assets?
(00:47:04) Final thoughts

Aug 22, 2023 • 55min
Capital Markets Conversation: 2023 Insights with JLL’s Mark Gibson
Mark Gibson, CEO of JLL Capital Markets Americas, joins host Terry
Montesi for their yearly conversation on the state of capital markets.
Tune in for a macro perspective of recent changes in interest rates and inflation, and the condition of the CRE banking and debt markets. Plus, Mark shares his sector-specific views on retail, multifamily, mixed-use and office, and insights into the cities and trends that are reshaping the investment landscape.
Subscribe to Leaning In to never miss an episode.
Links:
JLL Capital Markets
Topics:
(00:01:23) Mark’s thoughts on the RE capital markets, inflation, and interest rates
(00:15:10) How long can capital realistically stay out of the market?
(00:21:13) How have things changed on the commercial real estate banking side of things in the past 6 months?
(00:25:36) Thoughts on the retail sector
(00:28:53) Thoughts on Multifamily
(00:38:58) Thoughts on Office
(00:44:25) Are institutional owners under pressure to sell CRE assets?
(00:46:58) What trends are you seeing that will impact CRE?
(00:50:34) Do you predict a soft landing or a recession?

Jul 18, 2023 • 42min
Crafting Inspiring Spaces and Brands with Swoon, the studio
Dive into the design minds of Swoon, the multi-disciplinary design studio known for their expertise in luxury branding, interior design, and art direction.
On this episode of Leaning In, host Cassie King, Trademark’s Senior Director of Design & Placemaking, is joined by Kevin Thomas & Lauren Cadieux of Swoon, the studio. The conversation explores the studio’s signature approach that blends brand with interior design in their
breathtaking residential, commercial, and historical projects like the Driskill Hotel and Galleria Dallas' brand refresh and renovation.
Links:
Swoon, the Studio
Timestamps:
(00:01:03) Lauren and Kevin’s experience at Swoon
(00:02:52) How large is Swoon?
(00:06:02) Could you speak more about the talent you have at Swoon?
(00:11:11) Is the majority of your creative done in-house?
(00:12:28) How often do you reuse vendors?
(00:14:10) Are there any past projects that personally stand out to you?
(00:19:48) What’s been your involvement in the renovation of Galleria Dallas?
(00:23:00) How did the photography arm of the organization come to be?
(00:26:44) What are you doing currently at the Galleria?
(00:30:22) How are you considering future-proofing brands you work with?
(00:31:52) How do you approach the design process for different real estate sectors?
(00:35:34) Where do you find yourself pulling inspiration from?
(00:38:06) What trends are you seeing in design, branding, or interior design?
(00:39:22) What type of projects do you hope Swoon takes on in the future?