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HALL OF FAME - CLASS OF 2023
Midwest Real Estate News | Winter 2024
J O E R YA N
Chief Executive Officer, Owner Oppidan Investment Company | Excelsior, MN Joe Ryan’s personal philosophy of always “delivering value” was instrumental in the creation of Oppidan Investment Company in 1991. Oppidan is the Latin word for investing in your city, and that’s exactly what Ryan strives to achieve every day. For the past 32 years, “delivering value” has been the key to transforming Oppidan into a national real estate development leader. Ryan built a team steeped with experience in development, capital markets, project management, construction management and senior housing operations. Relationships matter to Ryan, which is why every Oppidan client has become a repeat client. Oppidan has made its mark in all facets of the commercial development industry, from development to project management. “We transform the communities in which we build,” Ryan said. “At Oppidan, we are focused on giving back to the community, and we do this in a big way.” To do this, Oppidan created and funded the Pillar’s Fund, which is used to purchase memory care programming to enrich the lives of the memory care residents who reside in the company’s senior housing communities. Oppidan is also a top contributor to its local Special Olympics Polar Plunge, which not only raises money for an important cause, but fosters teambuilding for the entire Oppidan family. Ryan’s leadership is apparent through Oppidan’s success. He has led his team in the development of more than 580 projects valued at over $4 billion and spanning 25 million square feet throughout 41 states and parts of Canada. Oppidan’s impressive client list includes US Franciscans, Christian Brothers, Oblates Priests and Brothers, Ebenezer, Watermark Retirement Communities, Duluth Trading Company, Northern Tool, Cub Foods, Hornbachers, Coborns, Camping World, Target, Sprouts, GE Oil & Gas, Goodwill, Caliber Collision and multiple global industrial and mission-critical clients. Oppidan has evolved and created many institutional and private joint venture partnerships with the nation’s top financial institutions, including Harrison Street and Kayne Anderson, as well as asset managers like Bailard and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Ryan also co-founded Oppidan’s sister company, Water Street Partners, in 2017, which invests in real estate opportunities on behalf of its private real estate funds. “The industry changes rapidly and you have to be nimble enough to weather the storm, while also creating a strong team that can stand by your side,” Ryan said. “The greatest challenge and success is the development of people and watching the team meld together and become stronger and more aligned.” From a deal standpoint, in 2023 Oppidan secured one of its largest industrial build-to-suit projects in Minnesota. The company also expanded its portfolio into the development of affordable housing. “We are driven to support our community, which is why our affordable housing focus is important,” Ryan said. “We’re also proud to be a three-time winner of the Best Places to Work Award.” Ryan has been recognized by his peers with an impressive list of awards including GlobeSt’s Best Boss, Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine’s Most Admired CEO, Finance & Commerce’s Power 30, Twin Cities Business’ Family Business Award and Twin Cities Business’ 100 People to Watch Oppidan’s developments have also received praise, including the Midwest Real Estate Journal Best of the Best list; Minnesota Real Estate Journal Top Urban Senior Housing; Minnesota Shopping Centers Association STARR Award for Best Mixed-Use Project; and the Gold Nugget Award Grand Award Winner for Best Service Enriched Senior Community. “We are continuing our discipline while keeping our entrepreneurial spirit,” Ryan said. “This is not an easy task. But it takes great leadership and an exceptional culture, which is exactly what we have at Oppidan.”
JASON SPECKMAN, SIOR, MBA Executive Vice President Colliers | Indianapolis, IN A strong work ethic. An in-depth knowledge of his market. And an ability to deliver winning results for his clients. This has helped Jason Speckman, executive vice president with the Indianapolis office of Colliers, thrive in the competitive arena of commercial real estate. Speckman, who has earned his SIOR designation, specializes in industrial real estate with a focus on institutional agency representation, helping owners and developers execute their industrial real estate portfolio strategies. Speckman possesses a strong work ethic and is a perennial high-volume producer. For 10 years, he and his team have earned the Most Transactions Award for Colliers Indianapolis. In 2022, Speckman and his team closed 298 transactions. Across 260 workdays in a year, that rings in at 1.15 transactions per workday. “I truly enjoy winning business and performing for our clients,” Speckman said. “But there is nothing more exciting than watching our young professionals grow and blow away expectations.” Speckman has equal accomplishments when it comes to business leadership, community contributions and personal achievements. In the Colliers Indianapolis office, Speckman is known as one to push the norm to bring about change - whether it be general HR policy or building that next level of best practices and client outcomes. Speckman has sometimes taken a stand that wasn’t “standard protocol,” but with persuasion and patience, has helped to initiate evolution that is appreciated and/or necessary. How has Speckman built such a strong career? He believes in the power of working hard and smart, treating people with respect, learning something new each day and being open to both receiving and giving constructive feedback. Then there are his ethics: Speckman says that it is important to always do the right thing, even when no one is looking. “Additionally, like almost every profession, we’re all in the people business,” Speckman said. “Interpersonal skills are mission-critical and can be differentiating. You could be the best subject matter expert on this earth, but if people don’t like you or don’t trust you, they most likely will not conduct business with you.” This industry veteran is inquisitive and sincerely wants to understand the “why” and “why not” of every business situation. He is known to make thoughtful statements or judgments, which has led to an early appointment to Collier’s Executive Committee. While working full time, Speckman earned his MBA from the University of Notre Dame. He has a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University, with a double major in Economics and Political Science. He has served as a board member and the admissions chair for the IN/KY Chapter of SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors) and served as a board member for the Indianapolis chapter of NAIOP (the leading organization in North America for owners and developers of commercial real estate). He is a member of Colliers’ U.S. Logistics & Transportation Solutions Group (a national invite-only service group), and he is past Board President of Leadership Hendricks County. Speckman has also been published by the Indianapolis Business Journal, and has served as a panel member for the publication’s annual Commercial Real Estate and Construction Power Breakfast. Speckman’s peers have recognized this leader’s talents, honoring him in many way: • Colliers Indianapolis Performance Awards: 10-Time Recipient, Most Transactions; Largest Transaction 2022; Top Associate Producer 2014, 2012 • Junior Achievement, Best & Brightest: Honoree, Real Estate Category 2021 • SIOR: past board member and Admissions Chair IN/KY Chapter • NAIOP Indiana: past board member • Leadership Hendricks County: past board member and Board President