J O H N AT C H E S O N Integrity. Hard work. And having fun. Those are the principles that John Atcheson has followed in building a thriving commercial real estate career of more than two decades. These same guidelines have helped lead Atcheson to his current position, president of the Houston and Salt Lake City divisions of ARCO Design/Build. This is no simple job: In this position, Atcheson is responsible for leading company operations and sourcing and executing new opportunities within Texas and other key markets across the United States. By all accounts, Atcheson has excelled in these duties. ARCO Design/Build has been named the largest domestic builder of distribution and warehouse facilities by Engineer News-Record. Atcheson's leadership has helped the company reach this milestone. Atcheson's success isn't a surprise. During his career, this industry veteran has been involved in the design, development and construction of more than $1 billion in real estate transactions. What has kept Atcheson in this industry for so long? He points to the people he's met. "The best part about the commercial real estate business is, hands-down, the people," he said. "I get to work with some of the best and brightest individuals. Working together on complex projects and developments and figuring out the details from concept to completion is a very rewarding process. Helping grow and expand their business is always a gratifying and exciting experience." Like all commercial real estate professionals, though, Atcheson has faced challenges throughout his career. Today, that includes dealing with the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain shortages, rising interest rates and a shortage of labor. "In starting and growing a business, I think anyone will agree that challenges can arise on a daily basis," Atcheson said. "It is all about recognizing those challenges early on and coming up with quick and well-informed solutions. Starting our business, finding the right people, growing our team and recently dealing with a pandemic and supply chain shortages all come to mind. We were able to execute through those challenges and will continue to perform through future ones."
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When explaining the reasons for his success, Atcheson points to the importance of following his core business principles.
ARCO Design/Build Houston, Texas
"Integrity, hard work and having fun," he said. "It really comes down to the basic principles of treating people fairly and doing the right thing. If you want to be successful at anything, you must be energetic and passionate about it. That and surrounding yourself with the right people whether it's your associates, colleagues or clients is a key to success in any business." Despite his busy career, Atcheson has found time, too, to support his industry and community. He is an active committee member of the National Association of Office and Industrial Properties and a supporting sponsor of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors. Atcheson has also provided support for charitable organizations such as the Houston Food Bank and Houston Rodeo. He serves as ambassador for Sky High for Kids, a charitable organization supporting the efforts to find a cure for childhood cancer. When not working, Atcheson enjoys spending time with his wife, Amanda, and son, Carter. "Spending time with my family and watching my son grow up is one of the greatest joys of my life," Atcheson said.
DOUGAL CAMERON Though he has built one of the most successful commercial real estate companies in the Houston area -- Cameron Management, which owns, manages and leases office buildings -- Dougal Cameron did not always plan for a career in real estate. Instead, Cameron began his career as an accountant with the company that is now Ernst & Young. It wasn't until 1985, when he took a position as an asset and project manager with Gerald D. Hines, that Cameron entered the field of commercial real estate. At Hines, Cameron was responsible for managing CBD Class-A assets such as Bank of America Center, JP Morgan Chase Tower, Pennzoil Place and One and Two Shell Plazas. Cameron enjoyed this taste of real estate, but returned to the world of finance in 1991, serving as an owner and principal of a local money management firm. Cameron, though, understood just how strong of an investment commercial real estate was, and in 1995 he purchased his first building, 3000 Richmond Avenue in Houston. At the same time, he formed Cameron Management. Ever since, Cameron Management has owned and managed buildings in Houston and San Antonio in both single ownerships and joint-venture partnerships. Cameron's goal? He strives to operate a firm that provides the best possible service to its tenants. As Cameron Management's website says, the company is dedicated to integrity and teamwork. It's also a good place to work: Cameron Management is 100% owned by its employees. "Entrepreneurship is the central characteristic of all of my business successes," Cameron said. "Being proactive and intentional, the central characteristics of entrepreneurial living, is required and rewarded in the United States, especially in real estate." Cameron also pointed to the help and guidance provided by Ted Dom, his partner in Cameron Management for more than 25 years. "Ted and I together make one whole human being," Cameron said. "I guess I was smart enough to know that I could not do it on my own."
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One of the most important secrets to Cameron's success? Resiliency. Throughout his long career, Cameron has worked through the 1983-1996 Houston depression, the 2001-2003 Enron challenges and the financial crisis of 2009 through 2011. "By God's grace, we have customers, tenants and partners who stuck with us in the bad times," Cameron said. "You have to hold on in the tough times to make it to the good times."
Cameron Management Houston, Texas
Another reason for his thriving career? Cameron cites the influence of his mother, whom he said gave him the fortitude to survive even the toughest business challenges. "She imbued in me a spirit of tenacity, hard work and joy," Cameron said. When not serving his clients, Cameron finds time to give back to his community. He is a board member of Central Houston, Inc., is a governing board member of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program and a member of the board of Hines Global Income Trust. Cameron has also supported organizations such as the Houston Symphony, Devil's River Association, New Beginnings Pregnancy Center and Texans First. Cameron says that his calling in life to model three habits to others: love Jesus, live entrepreneurially and work hard. His goal is to model these habits to his eight children, 12 grandchildren and 47 interns and mentees whom he was worked with over the years. He shares these habits, too, with the men of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, and has spent more than 147 days in prison with the members of this group during the last 14 years.
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023