Yancey-Hausman Unleashes Industrial Division

Principal Bill Yancey tells GlobeSt.com that an industrial broker has been doing some work in Houston and Austin. But, he adds, the principals decided it was time to bring out an initiative with a full team and an across-the-board services' lineup.

Yancey says the firm's been talking for some time about the division, but it ended up on the backburner because they were so busy with retail and office. Collins' availability had a big impact on the decision to move forward. "The right time to hire good people is when you find them," Yancey stresses.

The new team leader previously worked at Houston's Moody Rambin Interests and Metropolitan Real Estate. In the last three years, Collins closed an estimated $15 million in leases and build-to-suit projects locally and nationally. He brings several national accounts with him, including Airgas Corp., Chicago Title, Louisville Ladder Group LLC and Total Safety.

Collins says he has known the Yancey-Hausman principals for years. The timing, he says, was finally right for the career move. "There are a lot of industrial requirements to be fulfilled," concludes Collins, "and as a full-service industrial unit, we are ready to compete."

Thus far, he's hired Wilson, who was with GSL Constructors. Collins is interviewing others for the initiative and expects to build an eight-member team in the coming two to three years.

The division will offer tenant and building owner representation, development, acquisitions, dispositions and build-to-suit projects. Collins says Wilson's strong point is his acquisition and financing expertise--a good complement for Collin's tenant representation and development experience. Over the last five years, Wilson was involved in the acquisition and financing for more than 30 industrial, office and retail properties valued in excess of $160 million.

Yancey is not overly concerned with launching the division in the midst of an economic downturn. He believes Houston is "unique" and faring better than most markets. And, he emphasizes, the plan is mortared in hiring seasoned professionals, who are bringing clients with them, to deliver a full-service lineup, particularly development.