"We already have very seasoned, very established people on board," says Knaus, managing partner with Means-Knaus. "We have a strong core group. So to bring in a strong person like Peyton, who is a senior real estate executive in the industry, will definitely help us from the operations side, especially in Texas."

Collins, whose background includes stints in high-level positions at McCord Development, Inc./Navisys Group and the defunct Insignia/ESG, will focus his attention on sites throughout Texas, such as the 225-acre Oak Park at Westchase and 21-story, 356,780-sf 2000 West Loop South project in the Post Oak/Uptown district.

"When Doug lost his partner [Steven A. Means] last January, I think he wanted to try to continue building the organization and expanding so he's working on the talent to do just that," Collins comments. "Doug's done a tremendous job during the past year, even with Steve's death--there's a lot going on in the pipeline." Among those projects, Collins continues, are potential two-story office developments in Oak Park, though neither Knaus nor Collins would confirm specifics at this time.

While there are no current plans to expand Means-Knaus' physical offices beyond Houston, Dallas or Colorado, Collins adds portfolio expansion is definitely in the works. "The goal during the next year is to expand our portfolio here, in Houston, as well as in Dallas--and hopefully, in Austin," he says.