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In the world of commercial real estate, where competition often overshadows collaboration and profits can eclipse people, Foundry Commercial stands as a refreshing anomaly.
From brand-new associates to seasoned professionals who have returned for a second tenure, Foundry’s unique culture, values, and approach to business create an environment where people can truly thrive. But what makes this company so special? Through conversations with several team members throughout the country – some newer to the business and others tenured pros – it has become clear that Foundry isn’t just a place to work; it’s a community where people feel seen, supported, and inspired.
A Personalized Welcome: The Start of Something Special
For Taylor Clayton, an office tenant rep who joined Foundry’s Charlotte office in June 2024, the decision to make the leap was deeply personal. Coming from a different brokerage shop in Houston, Taylor was struck by Foundry’s genuine interest in him as a person.
“Brian [Brtalik] spent an hour on our first call just learning about my life and career,” he recalls. “Then I met with senior leaders like Paul [Ellis], Gregg [Ickes], and John Ball, who all shared the same belief in Foundry’s culture and values. It gave me confidence that this was the right place for me.”
The personalized approach didn’t stop at the hiring process. Taylor found a team committed to nurturing long-term success, especially for young brokers. The mentorship he receives from colleagues like Brian Brtalik exemplifies Foundry’s dedication to developing talent. “People in the office genuinely care to know about how my family and my pets are doing. They ask about my hobbies. It’s a testament to how you can create a powerhouse brokerage operation that also really cares about how each person is doing personally.”
A Return to Alignment: Finding Purpose and Passion
While some find their way to Foundry for the first time, others like Alex Gonzalez, now Director of Investments within the D&I platform, are drawn back by its values.
Alex initially joined Foundry after graduating from the University of Florida in 2017. Inspired by the firm’s collaborative ethos and partner-first philosophy, he excelled during his first tenure. However, knowing he wanted to spread his wings and grow in other ways, he left in 2022 to explore new challenges at Hines, managing high-profile deals across the Southeast.
Despite his success there, Alex found himself missing the collaboration and client-centric approach he had experienced at Foundry. “It’s not atypical in this industry to find companies intentionally structured to breed silos and competition,” he explains. “It’s not wrong by any stretch of the imagination; it’s one of the elements that breeds success in other organizations. But at times it could feel like everything was about profit over partnership and knowing that Foundry could be successful by eliminating silos, well that just better aligns with how passionately I feel about growing the business.”
Reconnecting with Foundry leaders reignited Alex’s passion for its mission. “This is a place where partners openly share insights and resources, and the focus is on doing what’s right for clients, not just maximizing profits.”
Today, Alex leads an 8-person team within Foundry’s D&I platform and is thrilled to help grow Foundry’s business and foster that same culture that drew him back.
Building Meaningful Careers: Leadership that Inspires
For Liz Craig, Vice President of Retail Services in Nashville, the decision to join Foundry marked a significant career pivot after 20 years at Cushman & Wakefield. Ready for a new challenge, Liz was drawn to Foundry’s collaborative spirit and personal connection. “From the very first meetings I had with them, Carrie [Bobb]’s entrepreneurial approach and Jason [Holwerda]’s support made me realize this was the kind of team I wanted to be part of,” Liz says.
What stood out most during Liz’s transition was Foundry’s authenticity. “The ‘It’s Personal’ philosophy isn’t just a tagline; it’s truly how the company operates. When I was in the early stages of recruitment, Foundry created a tailor-made presentation that showed what all of my support and marketing materials could look like. It was easy to feel the genuine warmth of the team. Honestly, I felt valued before I even started.”
Now thriving in her role, Liz appreciates the balance Foundry provides between personal commitments and professional growth. “I can be my authentic self here, and I’m growing my business along true partners who care about me personally and professionally, and that makes all the difference.”
A Leap of Faith: Embracing Growth and Grit
Mark Holoman, a Charlotte-based Managing Director and Deal Principal in Foundry’s D&I platform, exemplifies the company’s commitment to fostering personal and professional growth. With a career spanning corporate real estate, banking, and development, Mark’s journey reflects the power of meaningful relationships and a steadfast belief in seizing opportunities.
Mark’s professional path has been marked by continuous evolution. Always one to seek a challenge, he has intentionally honed his skills over the years while expanding his perspective, often stepping into roles beyond what he had envisioned for himself. Each challenge demanded courage but yielded immense personal and professional growth, shaping him as a leader and individual.
After leaving Foundry to explore other growth opportunities, Mark found himself drawn back to the company, motivated by genuine, enduring relationships built upon trust. The Foundry Mark has returned to had also grown up quite a bit since its early days. He describes Foundry today as a profitable, battle-tested enterprise, one for which he admired the company’s evolution and momentum, seeing it as an opportunity to contribute to its next phase of growth. He also notes that Foundry is perfectly positioned for the market’s demands. He’s inspired by the company’s potential to broaden its impact beyond office real estate and into new product dynamics, offering him a chance to explore uncharted territories alongside a team he trusts.
But beyond growth potential, Mark cites Foundry’s self-aware leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and collaborative culture as reasons the company is set apart from others in the industry. “There are very few egos here,” he shares. “It’s a place where ideas thrive, and the work feels meaningful.” This culture, rooted in genuine feedback and teamwork, inspires Mark to tackle challenges and mentor the next generation of talent.
Mark’s decision to return to Foundry was about leaving comfort behind to pursue greatness. Whether building an industrial portfolio or guiding emerging leaders, he embraces challenges with grit and determination. “Rejection or setback can often be the rocket fuel you need in our industry,” he says. Mark’s journey back to Foundry embodies his belief in the power of growth, perseverance, and meaningful work. With Foundry poised for its next chapter, Mark is excited about how he can personally contribute to its success, fueled by his commitment to excellence.
Finding the Spark
After 12 years at JLL and nearly a decade prior with smaller development companies, Mark Lindenbaum brought a wealth of experience to Foundry Commercial, when he joined the Atlanta office in early 2024. Having worked across various verticals within the commercial real estate industry, he was at a career crossroads. The evolving market dynamics and shifting ways in which developers respond to how space is used prompted him to explore new opportunities. Foundry’s culture of innovation and startup-like energy stood out, reigniting his passion for creativity and collaboration.
“It became apparent there was a spark here,” Mark shared, adding that the transparency and inclusivity of the team were unlike anything he had experienced elsewhere.
Mark noted that Foundry’s collaborative environment fosters creativity and delivers better outcomes for clients. “You lose that sense of creativity in companies where people operate in silos,” he explained. At Foundry, he has worked seamlessly with colleagues across various business lines, including Development & Investments and Maxis Advisors. Clients, too, have noticed the difference in Foundry’s approach, appreciating the nimbleness and efficiency that stems from its transparent and inclusive culture. For Mark, this alignment of business strategy and collaboration has reinforced his belief that Foundry is where he is meant to be.
At Foundry, Mark has leaned into opportunities to align his expertise in development and redevelopment with Foundry’s Southeast-focused strategy. By working closely with colleagues across the platform, he has embraced the chance to connect clients with the right resources and teams. His involvement with initiatives like the annual Tortuga event exemplifies the firm’s culture of fostering meaningful relationships and showcasing the collaborative spirit that sets Foundry apart. For Mark, joining Foundry was not just a career move; it was the right fit at the right time.
A Culture of Collaboration and Trust
The stories of professionals like Beth Lambert, a Dallas-based Executive Vice President who spends a lot of her time supporting Foundry’s IAG platform, highlight the distinct culture that Foundry fosters. For Beth, this move to Foundry Commercial was an especially significant choice. For her, Foundry is not just her next stop, but where she expects to retire. Here, she feels she has found the final place where she can proudly bring her 30+ years of experience and make a lasting mark.
After months of soul-searching and input from trusted peers, Beth joined Foundry seeking alignment between her values and her work environment. “I wanted to be part of a team that prioritizes integrity and client-first decisions over personal gain,” she explains.
Beth found exactly that at Foundry. “If I lift you up, I lift the organization up, which ultimately lifts me up. That’s the spirit here.” The collaborative, collegial environment Beth describes is not just a perk, it’s the foundation of Foundry’s success.
Innovation is another hallmark of Foundry’s approach, as evidenced by its vertically integrated model and the use of tools like Power BI and ClickUp. For associates considering a move to Foundry, this focus on doing things differently has inspired confidence in the company’s future. Whether through new methodologies or strategic expansions, Foundry continues to evolve while staying true to its core values.
Why It’s Personal Matters
At the heart of Foundry’s culture is the ‘It’s Personal’ philosophy. This ethos resonates deeply with associates, creating a sense of belonging and purpose that transcends traditional workplace dynamics. Whether it’s Taylor appreciating the close-knit relationships in his office, Alex thriving in a partner-first environment, or Liz feeling empowered to bring her authentic self to work, Foundry’s commitment to people is its greatest strength.
Marty Neilon, Senior Vice President at Foundry Commercial’s Dallas office, is a top commercial land broker specializing in land sales, acquisitions, and advisory services across North Texas. After 18 successful years at CBRE, Marty reached a pivotal moment in his career. Despite his achievements, he felt his personal and professional growth had plateaued. Seeking a culture that prioritized authenticity, trust, and meaningful relationships, Marty found his ideal fit at Foundry Commercial.
Unlike the rigid structures often found in large firms, Foundry stood out for its family-style atmosphere. Marty was drawn to its emphasis on personal connections, both with clients and colleagues, which he believes fosters organic, long-term growth. Weekly, thought-provoking communications from leaders like Paul Ellis underscore the company’s growth-oriented mindset and deep sense of purpose. For Marty, Foundry’s integrated approach to development and brokerage has added a unique layer to his work. “It used to be that I would drive by a site and think ‘this would be an ideal location for XYZ.’ Now, with access to Foundry’s Development & Investments platform, I can instead say ‘this is an ideal site for us’.”
Marty is committed to establishing Foundry as a trusted partner in Dallas – a “first phone call” for developers, capital groups, and landowners. Reflecting on his decision, Marty credits Foundry’s empowering mission: creating a culture where professionals can thrive, contribute meaningfully, and grow both personally and professionally.
Foundry Commercial isn’t just a company, it’s a community where people come to grow, thrive, and make a difference. From the personalized welcome to the enduring mentorship, from the commitment to collaboration to the innovative tools and methodologies, Foundry creates an environment where everyone feels valued.
For those seeking more than just a job, Foundry offers a chance to build a meaningful career with people who genuinely care. Quoting Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, Mark Holoman cites, “Life at its best is about doing meaningful things with people you love.”
And at Foundry Commercial, that’s not just a possibility… it’s a promise.