Overview
Chris Neese is the Director of Project Management/Market Leader for Foundry Commercial’s Nashville office, responsible for driving strategic growth, expanding service lines, and building a high-performance culture across Middle Tennessee. In this role, Chris oversees all lines of business, including brokerage, project management, property management, and development, while spearheading the launch of Foundry’s Project Management platform in the market.
A fifth-generation Middle Tennessean, Chris brings more than 25 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience spanning commercial real estate, hospitality, and economic development. Before joining Foundry, he served as Managing Director of Project Management for Colliers Nashville, where he established and grew the firm’s project management division, delivering millions of square feet of client space across office, industrial, healthcare, and retail sectors.
Chris’s career began in the music industry before he transitioned into business ownership, economic development leadership, and ultimately, commercial real estate. Known for his ability to build teams, cultivate relationships, and execute complex projects, he has a reputation for aligning operational excellence with client-first service.
Active in the community, Chris is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and NAIOP, and has been involved with numerous nonprofit and civic initiatives. He holds a business degree from Belmont University and is passionate about fostering a collaborative, high-trust environment that attracts top talent and drives long-term success.
Key Assignments
- Cheatham Vision – Developer of 4-year Countywide economic development plan
Community Involvement
- ULI – Member
- NAIOP – Member
- Society of Leaders in Development – Co-founder, first President, President of Founding Council
- PENCIL – Prior Board Member
- Cheatham County Long-term Recovery Committee – Founder
- Cheatham County VOAD – Founder
- Leadership Cheatham County – Member
- Miller Harris Foundation – Prior Board Member
Education
- Belmont University – BBA-Management