AUSTIN—With three Austin-area multifamily projects, Irving, TX-based JPI has expanded its presence in the area with a new local office and team leader.

The firm has hired industry veteran Dustin Slack as vice president and development partner for the Austin office.

“The demand for multifamily in the Austin market is high, and while we have an extensive history in the Austin market, we have not had a local office since 2003,” Ben Montgomery, managing regional partner for JPI's southern region, told GlobeSt.com. “With the positive investment catalysts driving the Austin economy, JPI sees the opportunity for growth in the market and believes we can better serve our investors with a firm presence in the city. Dustin's respected reputation along with years of experience in the industry makes him the perfect fit to lead our new office. We are pleased to have him on the team.”

Slack will focus on multifamily development in the Austin, San Antonio and Houston markets for JPI's southern region development group. He will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the multifamily project life cycle including site acquisition, entitlements, capitalization, construction, operations and disposition. 

JPI's Austin developments total 906 units, and include:

• Cielo: 326 units completed April 2014, located on 38 acres in Bee Cave/ Lake Travis area;
• Madrone: 228 units completed April 2015, located on 40 acres in Bee Cave/ Lake Travis area;
• And Sur512: 352 units expected to be complete April 2016, located on 9 acres on South Congress.

“JPI is excited to re-establish roots in the Austin market,” says Montgomery. “With the positive investment catalysts driving the Austin economy, the opportunity for growth is apparent and long-term.”

Prior to joining JPI, Slack led teams at McShane Development Co. and Forestar Real Estate Group, supervising more than 3,500 multifamily units in the planning, construction and lease-up stages. He also developed more than 2,500 units while at Trammell Crow Residential's south central division.