PHILIP LEVY During his 16-year career, Philip Levy has closed more than 600 CRE transactions for more than $1.9 billion. Those are impressive numbers. How has Levy reached them? His peers say that no one boasts a deeper knowledge of Texas market trends. And no one outworks this industry veteran. That combination means that Levy consistently ranks as one of the top-producing agents with Marcus & Millichap, not only in the state of Texas but nationally, too. Levy's clients know that they can trust this CRE icon to work tirelessly for them. He has spent his entire career in the real estate business at Marcus & Millichap, selling shopping centers. This has given him an expertise that less-experienced CRE professionals simply lack. Levy's clients recognize him as a top source of retail and net lease insight. What has Levy enjoyed most about his career? The people. "Meeting and working with people, understanding what they need or want and then executing a plan to help them achieve their goals," Levy said when asked what he appreciates most about the commercial real estate business.
Senior Managing Director of Investments
Marcus & Millichap Dallas, Texas
Levy started his career at Marcus & Millichap in 2004 as an agent in the company's Dallas office. He worked hard here and honed his skills, growing a deep interest in the retail market. Levy also perfected his approach in matching retail and net lease properties with investors. Today, Levy has risen to become a senior managing director of investments at Marcus & Millichap. His advice to others looking to succeed in this field? It's relatively simple: "Always be aware of what’s going on around you, always be available and accountable to your clients and commit to providing them the most up-to-date information to help them make informed decisions," Levy said. When not working, Levy enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. The Levys are a family that travel together, exploring new places, experiences and food. Levy also enjoys wake surfing, jet skiing, exercising or just relaxing on the lake or beach.
AMY MADISON, CECD, EDFP How effective has Amy Madison been in her role as executive director of the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation? Since starting her term in 2014, Madison has recruited or assisted in expanding 54 projects that have brought more than 7.1 million square feet of expansion and 4,097 fulltime jobs to the Pflugerville region. The financial impact of these projects has been vast. They added an estimated $621 million to the local tax base for Pflugerville, one of the fastest-growth cities in the United States. Notching these successes isn't easy. But Madison has never shied away from a challenge during her more than two decades in economic development. "I love the challenge," she said. "Every deal is different and presents an ever-changing landscape mixed with politicians, landowners, developers and property development issues. The profession demands creative problem-solving along with the ability to assemble a variety of personalities, perspectives, desires and goals to achieve an all-win. Love it!" Under Madison's leadership, the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation has been recognized as an Accredited Economic Development Organization in 2019 by the International Economic Development Corporation. In 2020, the organization received the gold award for Economic Development Organization of the Year.
Executive Director
Pflugerville Community Development Corporation Pflugerville, Texas
And those aren't the only honors the corporation has received under Madison's leadership. The Pflugerville Community Development Corporation received top honors from the Texas Economic Development Council for having recruited Amazon Services LLC, a 3.8-million-square-foot facility that brought 1,000 job opportunities to the Pflugerville community and contributed $250 million to the tax base during the COVID-19 pandemic. Madison points to that project as her biggest challenge … so far. The project had to be annexed, removed from a municipal utility district and receive entitlements to break ground and begin construction in February. Madison and the corporation also had to lobby and petition the county for essential status so that construction could continue. "It was not a done deal until Amazon finally announced the project in July," Madison said. "The city provided an aggressive schedule. Working with the company and the landowner, we made it happen in spite of COVID." As with many CRE professionals, Madison relies on a simple formula for success. "Building relationships is what it's all about," she said. "This business can be very difficult, and trust is hard to achieve. But it is always what I strive to create. We all compete for projects, but keeping the integrity of relationships built in this industry provides the win in the end." When not working—and during the pandemic—Madison has enjoyed gardening, power walking, riding her mountain bike and singing.
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JANUARY 2021