PHOENIX—Ryan Companies US, Inc. says Rick Collins, currently VP of development in the companies' NorthCentral division based out of Minneapolis, has been promoted to president of the SouthWest region.

Collins' new role will include management of all business development, people and operations for projects in that region.  The SouthWest region has offices in Phoenix, and San Diego.

“We could not be more excited about this new opportunity for Rick,” stated Collin Barr, president of Ryan's NorthCentral region.  “His contributions to this market, and to the Ryan culture, have been significant, and we know he will bring that same energy and enthusiasm to his new role.”  Rick Collins' major projects include the Grain Belt Brew House historic preservation, the Midtown Exchange mixed-use development, the conversion of the landmark Foshay Tower into the W Foshay Minneapolis hotel, Two MarketPointe in Bloomington, and the upcoming Downtown East five-city-block project which includes a nearly two block city park and two Wells Fargo office towers totaling more than one million square feet of office space.  

“Rick's strategic vision, creativity, and natural leadership skills will make him a great fit for the President role,” said Jeff Smith, EVP.  “In addition, his strong commitment to the industry and the community will enable him to quickly settle in to the Phoenix market.”  Collins has had leadership roles in several Twin Cities nonprofits including the Minnesota Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Children's Cancer Research Fund.  He is also active as a leader locally and nationally in NAIOP and the Urban Land Institute. 

Collins will be taking over for long-time Ryan SouthWest president John Strittmatter, a 29-year Ryan veteran who opened the Phoenix office for Ryan and has built it into a commercial real estate powerhouse during his tenure.  Strittmatter, who will be staying on with Ryan to manage the development and construction of the multi-year, 2 million square foot Marina Heights mixed-use campus, is winner of NAIOP's 2011 Lifetime Achievement award. 

Ryan Companies US, Inc. is a 3rd generation, family-owned national developer, designer, capital investment consultant, builder, and real estate manager specializing in fully integrated solutions for more than 75 years.