News
Raleigh, N.C. (November 1, 2021) – Foundry Commercial, a full-service real estate services and investment firm with offices across the Sun Belt, is pleased to announce the hiring of Rick Dehnert as Raleigh Market Leader. John Kelly, who had served in a similar capacity, will remain with Foundry in a full-time office brokerage role.
“The Raleigh-Durham area continues to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and Foundry has grown right alongside the metro, paving the way for a market leader who will be wholly dedicated to expanding our platform in the Triangle,” stated John Kelly, a 40-year commercial real estate veteran and 8-year partner with Foundry Commercial.
“We thank John for all that he has accomplished with Foundry; he is an elite leader within the company, and we are thrilled that he’ll still be an important part of our platform as he transitions into the next phase of his career,” said CEO Paul Ellis.
With more than 25 years in the commercial real estate industry, Dehnert is a proven leader in overseeing the growth of office and industrial portfolios, leading teams of leasing agents, property managers, accounting and construction personnel, and administrative employees, while overseeing multi-million dollar operating and capital project budgets. He started his commercial real estate career with Highwoods Properties in 1995. During his nearly 25-year tenure there, Dehnert held a variety of leadership positions, ranging from Director of Leasing to Vice President of the REIT’s Triad division. Most recently, he served as a Business Development Officer for First Bank in Greensboro, N.C., where he developed and nurtured new relationships in the commercial building and real estate industry throughout the Southeast, analyzing the financial viability of potential clients who sought commercial real estate development loans.
In his role at Foundry Commercial, Dehnert will be responsible for overseeing a growing portfolio of brokerage as well as project and property management assignments in the region, increasing the footprint of Foundry’s services business, expanding the firm’s presence even further into leasing and management opportunities, and keeping an ear to the ground for potential investment and development prospects. With expanding presence in multi-family, and investment advisory services, healthcare, and senior housing, Dehnert will also work closely with Foundry’s respective teams across the platform to service new opportunities.
“When I entered commercial real estate several decades ago, I was attracted to the creative, entrepreneurial mindset of the industry, so I’m excited to get back to my roots and build upon the momentum that’s been set in motion at Foundry in the Raleigh-Durham area,” said Dehnert.
“Rick has experienced first-hand the explosive growth in the Carolinas over the past two decades, and he brings not only a wealth of in-market knowledge and networks but leadership acumen that will allow our Raleigh office to serve clients in a deeper way. We are a better company with Rick as part of the Foundry team and thrilled to have him join us,” stated Gregg Ickes, President of Real Estate Services, Foundry Commercial.
Dehnert is a graduate of Georgetown University. He is involved in NAIOP (National Association of Office & Industrial Properties), where he has served as a national board member, a local chapter board member, and the Triad Chapter President. He is also a board member for the Triad Real Estate Building Industry Coalition.