Success Never Quits

Catherine recently graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, with a concentration in Real Estate and a minor in Marketing. After spending last summer with NewQuest as a Brokerage Intern, she has officially joined the team as a Brokerage Analyst.

Thomas recently graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Finance. After interning with NewQuest, he returned to the company as a full-time member of the team.

Thomas is committed to building strong client relationships and supporting the company's brokerage services through market research, financial analysis, and strategic real estate solutions.

Meredith graduated from Baylor University with a BBA and brings a strong background in retail advisory services to NewQuest. Most recently, she spent four years at JLL as a retail broker, where she developed extensive expertise in the ever-evolving retail landscape. Meredith has successfully represented clients across a wide range of retail transactions, providing strategic guidance and market insight to help businesses achieve their real estate goals.

Matt joins NewQuest with more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate, specializing in tenant representation throughout the Houston market. Known for his relationship-driven approach and deep market expertise, he helps clients develop and execute strategic real estate plans that align with their business objectives.

Before joining NewQuest, Matt was a tenant representation broker with JLL, where he advised local, regional, and national retailers on site selection, market analysis, lease negotiations, and growth strategy. He also played a key role in supporting the rapid expansion of a large medical organization across the Houston area. Prior to JLL, Matt spent 15 years at CBRE, completing numerous lease and sales transactions and building a strong track record of success.

Matt began his commercial real estate career with Phillips Edison & Company in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he managed leasing strategies for several million square feet of retail properties throughout the Midwest. His performance consistently ranked among the company’s top producers before relocating to Houston in 2010 to continue growing his career.

At NewQuest, Matt leverages decades of industry experience, market knowledge, and a client-focused mindset to help retailers and businesses identify opportunities and achieve long-term real estate success.

Sara Allen brings a wealth of expertise in land user tenant representation and land advisory, specializing in commercial reserves. Whether advising on new to market site selection for national and regional brands, representing buyers across all lines of business on acquisitions or marketing and disposition of land, Sara’s strategic insight and creative approach consistently deliver results and create significant value for clients.

Known for her integrity, responsiveness, and unwavering commitment to customer service, Sara always puts her clients’ needs first. She is accessible and proactive, ensuring that every project moves smoothly and efficiently, and that every client feels supported at each step of the process.

Outside of work, Sara enjoys spending time at their family farm in Buffalo, Texas with her husband and three children, as well as two energetic golden retrievers. Sara is a proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where she captained the women’s softball team and earned four monograms. Those same values of teamwork and dedication shine through in her professional work and personal life alike.

Mark Kidd is a seasoned associate with close to two decades of experience in office, industrial and land brokerage.  Most recently, Mark joins us from Lee & Associates where he focused on business development efforts in representing industrial occupants and landlords.

Prior to that tenure, he and his father co-founded M Kidd Properties, Inc. in 2012, where Mark served as director until 2023.  His role at the company focused on providing expert guidance to owners, investors, and tenants in a wide range of real estate transactions on commercial property.

Mark began his career in 2009, as an Office Leasing Advisor at Moody Rambin Interests. In 2011, he joined Grubb & Ellis Company as an associate in industrial brokerage, including land transactions. 

His diverse experience across various sectors has allowed him to build a broad client base, representing a wide range of industries, from food production, manufacturing and industrial supply to individual investors, family estates and independent businesses.

Through his extensive knowledge and hands-on approach, Mark is committed to delivering strategic, high-impact solutions for his clients to effectively navigate the complexities of both urban infill sites and vacant land transactions, advising clients and helping them achieve their objectives in an ever-evolving market.

Mark holds a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and is a native Houstonian, who is passionate for both the city’s history and its continued growth.

Kelsey Olsen brings three years of experience in commercial land sales, most recently with Marcus & Millichap. A graduate of Texas A&M University and native Houstonian, Kelsey demonstrates a strong commitment to her community and professional growth.

She is actively involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as a member of the Hospitality Committee.

Ben Postma recently graduated from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. While at Georgia Tech, he was a member of the Real Estate Club and played tight end for the Yellow Jackets football team—demonstrating both leadership and teamwork on and off the field.

Before graduating, Ben participated in NewQuest’s 2024 summer internship program, where he worked alongside the project leasing team. His time with the team gave him hands-on experience and a strong foundation in commercial real estate.

A native Houstonian and lifelong Texan, Strater Zarr joined NewQuest’s Tenant Representation team after completing an internship with the company in 2023. He works closely with national and regional retailers to support their growth and long-term presence across the Houston MSA.

Strater holds a liberal arts degree with a minor in business from the University of Texas. His professional background spans construction, real estate, finance, and ranch operations—giving him a well-rounded perspective and a hands-on approach to client service.

Leni Sandoval joined NewQuest in August 2024 to specialize in project leasing NewQuest-owned retail properties, lease third-party properties, and represent tenants. She began her brokerage career at CBRE on the tenant representation team, gaining valuable experience working with national and regional brands on site selection and growth strategies.

Retail has always been a passion and area of expertise for Leni. She spent nearly four years at VGS, a national design and manufacturing agency, where she consulted with some of the nation's largest restaurant groups, retailers, and schools, to deliver branded environments, from concept through installation.

Earlier roles in commercial signage, retail, and design, contribute to her deep understanding of what drives retail success, from location, to brand identity, and the customer experience.

A native Houstonian and graduate of the University of Houston, Leni is also an active member of ICSC.

Jeanie Gibbs, CCIM is a motivated, experienced, and diligent broker who specializes in retail and land, with deep market expertise in the Houston area and a broad reach across Texas. She has worked with a wide range of clients, including public lending institutions, Fortune 500 companies, private equity funds, specialty REITs, national and specialty retailers, restaurants, and community developers focused on multifamily, residential, retail, storage, and medical projects.

Jeanie’s success in brokerage had been attributed to her responsiveness, strong negotiation skills, uncompromised integrity, diverse market knowledge, exceptional marketing strategies and outstanding customer service commitment. Jeanie’s diverse market knowledge and strategic marketing approach help her and her team deliver results that align with client goals and give them a leading competitive edge.

A lifelong Texan, Jeanie earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her graduate degree from the University of Houston. She has been recognized as a Heavy Hitter by the Houston Business Journal and actively contributes to the community through her role on the Board of Girls Inc. of Houston. Her past involvement includes work with the Houston Women’s Center, Houston SPCA, Pets Alive, University of Texas Alumni, and the Ronald McDonald House.

Alyx Penland has a strong background in tenant representation, with a focus on the restaurant and entertainment industries, as well as third-party leasing. Most recently, she was with SHOP Companies, where she managed accounts for brands including Five Guys Corporate, 4Ever Young, Skiptown, The Front Burner Brands (Mexican Sugar, Sixty Vines, Whiskey Cake), Nando’s Peri Peri, EVO Entertainment, Hawkers, The Halal Guys, Body20, JuiceLand, Amazing Explorers Academy, and others.

Before her time at SHOP Houston, Alyx worked at Foxmark Corp., where she gained experience in architectural and commercial graphics. She launched and led Flexmark USA, a division that became the exclusive 3M Authorized Wholesaler in Texas. That experience gave her early exposure to the retail real estate world and sharpened her sales and business development skills—strengths she brings to her real estate career today.

Alyx is also active in the community. She co-founded and chaired Young Houstonians of Houston Children’s Charity (YHHCC) from 2017 to 2021 and continues to support Houston Children’s Charity and Wonders & Worries.

Danny Quinlan brings over 18 years of commercial real estate expertise to NewQuest, where he serves as Vice President in the brokerage division.

He specializes in land acquisition and disposition across a range of asset classes, including retail, single-family, multifamily, industrial, and investment tracts. Danny has advised and represented major clients such as Wal-Mart, successfully leasing more than 10 million square feet of industrial space. His deep market insight and industry knowledge provide a strong foundation for his clients’ success.

Danny is a Co-Founder of the Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic and a Founding Board Member of the Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Foundation.

Outside of work, Danny is an active volunteer with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Quarter Horse Committee. He’s also an avid team roper who enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his daughters, family, and friends.

Thad comes to us most recently from SHOP Companies, where he focused on both leasing and tenant representation. He is a graduate of the University of Houston and has worked in the commercial industry for over five years. He is currently an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

Nina Irwin brings over seven years of experience in retail landlord representation and lease negotiations to NewQuest, most recently at Levcor. Her earlier roles at Gables Residential and Hillstone Restaurant Group gave her more than a decade of multifamily and hospitality experience, adding depth to her understanding of real estate and client service.

She earned her BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).  Outside of work, Nina enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and spending time with friends and family.

Diandra Breen is a native Houstonian who specializes in tenant representation with a focus on restaurant and retail users throughout the Houston market. She guides clients through site selection, lease negotiations, and expansion planning. In addition to her tenant work, she is also active in project leasing and land sale transactions, giving her a well rounded perspective in retail real estate.

Prior to joining NewQuest, Diandra was with Frankel Development Group, where she handled project leasing for third party-owned shopping centers and land sales. Earlier in her career, she worked in New York with Social Studies, concentrating on partnerships and growth strategies. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University and has a professional background in hospitality, event production, sales, and marketing consulting.

Outside of work, Diandra is an active mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, where she is passionate about supporting the next generation. She is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

Andre Azizi joins NewQuest from Riverside Equity Commercial Group, a boutique brokerage based in Houston, TX, where he focused on commercial real estate strategy and client development. Prior to that, he served as Vice President at Caspian Enterprises, a vertically integrated real estate investment firm specializing in historic preservation and land banking.

A native Houstonian and graduate of the University of Houston, Andre is deeply committed to the city’s growth and development. He has served on the Board of Directors for the East Downtown Management District since 2014, contributing to the area's revitalization and community initiatives.

Lara Lee LaMendola is a project leasing broker with four years of experience specializing in retail real estate. Her portfolio includes small retail centers, new developments, and large-scale shopping centers exceeding 500,000 square feet. Lara Lee operates both independently and in collaboration with colleagues to consistently deliver strategic leasing solutions tailored to each property’s unique market position.

Originally from Beaumont, Lara Lee spent several years living abroad before relocating to Houston around the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her international experience informs a global perspective and a deep appreciation for cultural diversity—qualities that enhance her professional approach and client relationships. Outside of work, Lara Lee is an avid reader, a devoted dog lover, and an enthusiastic traveler who seeks out experiences that connect her with new cuisines and cultures.

Rick Ragan brings over eight years of experience in commercial real estate, with a focus on the multifamily, land, and net lease sectors. As Vice President in NewQuest’s Brokerage division, Rick has built strong relationships with both local and national investors and has closed more than $100 million in sales volume throughout his career.

Before joining NewQuest, Rick was an associate at Marcus & Millichap and later served as an investment analyst at Stan Johnson Company. His background gives him a well-rounded perspective on deal structuring, underwriting, and client strategy.

Rick is known for his transparent, solution-oriented approach and his ability to think creatively when evaluating properties. He holds a Finance degree from Louisiana State University.

Outside the office, Rick enjoys fishing, hunting, attending concerts, and spending time with his family.

Brett Strake is a native Houstonian and NewQuest Senior Vice President who specializes in Tenant Representation and in working closely with both regional and national retailers across the greater Houston area. Brett has advised and represented restaurant groups and retailers in purchase and sale agreements, NNN leases, and ground leases.

Strake’s areas of expertise include providing clients with detailed market analysis, REC packages, and master brokerage services. He has been in charge of several market roll-out strategies throughout the state of Texas and beyond.

A graduate of Texas A&M with a BBA in Finance, Strake is a licensed real estate agent in the State of Texas. He enjoys playing golf, attending Texas A&M sporting events, Astros baseball, and hunting in south Texas. Strake is a member of these charitable experiences and organizations: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Texas A&M Association of Former Students, and Champions Golf Club.

Dakota Workman joined NewQuest in 2019 specializing in Investment Sales. A native Houstonian and ninth-generation Texan, Dakota advises clients in acquisition and disposition utilizing his market knowledge to discover promising investment opportunities. He is also a proud University of Houston graduate and an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

Heather Nguyen serves as Managing Director of Asia Pacific Advisory Services, Executive Vice President, and Development Partner at NewQuest. With over 30 years of diverse real estate experience, she spearheads development initiatives and the strategic repositioning of retail assets—transforming them into resilient, high-value regional destinations by curating international tenant mixes and introducing global concepts to U.S. markets.

Her notable development portfolio includes high-profile projects such as The Shops at Pearland Parkway, Carrollton Town Center, Frisco Ranch Shopping Center, Marketplace at Ninety-Six, The Shops at Katy Grand, and most recently, Chandler Ranch Shopping Center in Chandler, Arizona; Abbott’s Bridge in Johns Creek, Georgia; The Mosaic at Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, Arizona; and NPV Market Center in Naperville, Illinois.

Driven by a philosophy rooted in persistence, tenacity, and patience, Nguyen offers a distinctive blend of development insight and leasing expertise with a strong client-first approach. Over her distinguished career, she has facilitated more than $10 billion in real estate transactions, consistently delivering exceptional results.

Since joining NewQuest in 2000, Nguyen has earned numerous accolades, including multiple Top Producer Awards, the CoStar Community Impact Award, HBJ’s Women Who Mean Business, H Texas Magazine’s Women in Business Award, and the 2018 Women in Real Estate honor. She is also routinely on the Houston Business Journal’s Heavy Hitters list.

Nguyen has served board positions with Commercial Gateway and the Midtown Redevelopment Authority and remains an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Together with her husband, Dr. Shawn Taher, she is deeply committed to philanthropy through their nonprofit, Toys Fore Kids Foundation. Their charitable efforts support a range of community-focused organizations, including Texas Children’s Hospital, Kidz Harbor Foster Care, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, and the Houston Area Women’s Shelter.

Glenn Dickerson is a seasoned real estate professional with a career that spans nearly every facet of the industry. He began his journey in Beverly Hills, California, where he quickly became a top producer in the high-end residential market. Since then, Glenn has held key roles at organizations such as AmReit, a publicly traded real estate trust, and has worked with a wide range of respected companies including Pulte Homes, Hines Real Estate, Kairoi Residential, Shilla Development, Medistar Corporation, Choice Hotels, Extended Stay America, U-Haul, Allied Orion Realty, Dollar Tree, and the City of Rosenberg—particularly across the Austin and Houston markets.

At NewQuest, Glenn brings deep expertise in raw land, multifamily projects, hotels, and covered land plays. His creative, solutions-driven approach and transparent communication style have earned him lasting relationships and industry recognition—including multiple “Heavy Hitter” honors from the Houston Business Journal, recognizing him as one of the city’s top brokers.

Outside of work, Glenn is a proud father of five daughters. He’s also a former ATP professional tennis player and an avid pickleball competitor.

Bob Conwell is a native Houstonian with more than 36 years of experience in real estate—32 of those with NewQuest. As one of the firm’s most tenured professionals, Bob brings deep market insight and long-standing client relationships to every project.

Before joining NewQuest, he served as Vice President at University Savings and Loan. Over the years, Bob has represented a wide range of clients, including Inland, RPI Management, and NewQuest itself. He currently represents Shogun Japanese Grill and Steakhouse.

Bob is a graduate of the University of Houston and a proud supporter of Cougar football. He is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Preservation Houston.

Kevin Sims serves as Senior Vice President and Director of Leasing at NewQuest Properties. With nearly 20 years of experience in commercial real estate, Kevin brings deep expertise in project leasing, tenant representation, land brokerage, and both development and redevelopment.

Throughout his career, Kevin has closed thousands of transactions, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in value for his clients. His deal experience spans a wide range of transaction types, including purchase and sale agreements, build-to-suits, reverse build-to-suits, ground leases, and both anchor and non-anchor leasing for new and redeveloped projects.

Kevin is a frequent recipient of the CoStar Power Broker Award and has been recognized at NewQuest with Top Producer and Highest Number of Transactions honors. His approach is grounded in persistence, transparency, and a commitment to creating win-win outcomes.

He holds a degree from the University of Houston’s Business School and is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Texas. Outside of work, Kevin enjoys tournament fishing, college football, cheering on the Houston Astros, and spending time with his wife Jamie and daughter Avery.

Andrew Alvis brings over 10 years of entrepreneurship and over five years of commercial real estate development and brokerage experience. He began his real estate career with NewQuest Properties, where he excelled in both leasing and tenant representation, brokering over $100 million in closed transactions over the past eight years.

Andrew is currently a Development Partner at NewQuest Properties, playing an integral part in the acquisition and development of nearly one million square feet of retail and mixed-use commercial projects around Houston and Central Texas, totaling well over $150 million in asset value.

Andrew holds a BS in Business Management from Louisiana State University and is a member of ICSC and YNG.

Shireen Owlia has proudly been with NewQuest since 2014. She specializes in full-service retail tenant representation and consultation, with clientele including national and regional soft goods retailers, restaurants, medical professionals, fitness concepts, boutiques, and businesses rendering personal services. Shireen also conducts land and investment brokerage transactions.

As a native Houstonian, Shireen began working on real estate projects with her family at an early age. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from The University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law. Prior to joining NewQuest, she practiced as a commercial litigator and real estate attorney.

In her free time, Shireen enjoys traveling the world, keeping active, and spending time with family.

Rebecca Le serves as Executive Vice President at NewQuest, bringing more than 27 years of commercial real estate experience. As a key member of the firm's Asia Pacific Advisory Services team, she specializes in helping Asia Pacific brands enter, establish, and expand throughout the United States. Her expertise spans tenant representation, project leasing, and investment sales, with experience across developments ranging from neighborhood shopping centers to regional power centers.

Rebecca represents a diverse portfolio of clients, from local entrepreneurs to nationally and internationally recognized brands, including Bafang Dumpling, Molly Tea, Matcha Town, Taroko Sports, Dough Zone, The Alley, Popeyes, Waxing the City, La Madeleine, and Dunkin'. She also partners with leading landlords and developers, including H-E-B Grocery Company, MC Management, Orkin Real Estate, the Sam Moon Group, and NewQuest. In recognition of her success, Rebecca was named NewQuest's Top Hybrid Producer in 2025.

Known for her hands-on approach, Rebecca guides clients through every stage of growth—from emerging concepts to established global brands expanding into the U.S. market. She is a licensed Texas real estate broker and an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Realty Resources. Rebecca earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of St. Thomas.

Josh Friedlander has been active in the retail real estate industry for over 20 years and joined NewQuest in 2010. He currently serves as Director of Leasing and is a Development Partner.

Josh’s expertise includes retail project leasing, tenant representation, land brokerage, investment sales, and project development. Over the course of his time at NewQuest, he has completed more than 500 transactions, reflecting both his experience and his commitment to delivering results.

He earned a Finance degree from The University of Texas in 2004. Outside of work, Josh enjoys spending time with his family, watching the Astros and Longhorns, and traveling.

John Nguyen serves as a Senior Vice President for NewQuest and specializes in project leasing, tenant representation, and land transactions. Since joining NewQuest in 2013, John has focused on providing landlord representation services for various destination and grocery-anchored assets and tenant representation strategies for an expansive roster of local, national, and international concepts.

John’s primary responsibilities include leasing transactions, market research and strategy, and asset analysis. In 2023, he was named in the top five Heavy Hitters by Houston Business Journal. John has provided real estate services for H-E-B, 99 Ranch Market, Daiso Japan, 85°C Bakery Café, Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, 7 Leaves Cafe, BCD Tofu House, Jinya Ramen Bar, GEN Korean BBQ, and many popular chef-driven food and beverage concepts. John also current serves as the master broker for Teso Life.  In recent years, his focus has been on land acquisitions for retail, industrial, and multifamily developers.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, John received his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Houston, an MBA from Texas A&M Mays Business School, and completed the Real Estate Investment and Development Program at Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business. He is highly educated and equipped with the knowledge and expertise necessary to excel in his field. John is an active member of the community. He is a member of Young Catholic Professionals and a lifetime member and volunteer of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

With 47 years of experience in commercial real estate, Dave Ramsey is a leading authority in the acquisition and disposition of large residential and mixed-use properties across Texas and multiple states. Renowned for closing some of the largest land transactions in the Houston market, Dave has facilitated deals creating over $7 billion in market value, earning him consistent recognition as one of the top commercial land brokers in Texas.

As a key figure at NewQuest Development, Dave leverages his expertise to deliver unique insights into land transactions. By guiding buyers through development challenges, he maximizes sales prices and ensures successful outcomes. His extensive experience spans commercial real estate transactions in various states, showcasing his versatility and deep industry knowledge.

Dave holds B.S. degrees in Real Estate and Marketing from The University of Texas at Austin. A licensed real estate broker in Texas, he is also an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), further solidifying his commitment to excellence in the industry."

Austen Baldridge joined NewQuest in 2016, beginning his career in project leasing for both NewQuest developments and third-party-owned shopping centers. He quickly expanded his leasing portfolio to encompass approximately 3 million square feet of retail space across Texas. Over the course of his brokerage career, Austen has successfully represented clients in investment sales, land brokerage, and tenant representation, consistently delivering results at a high level.

His broad expertise has earned him several accolades, including NewQuest’s Top Rookie Award in 2018, Top Hybrid Producer honors in 2020, 2021, and 2024, and Overall Top Producer for 2025. He is also regularly recognized as a “Heavy Hitter” by the Houston Business Journal, which highlights the top-producing commercial brokers in the region.

As a hybrid broker, Austen brings a distinctive perspective to deal-making. His capabilities extend beyond retail leasing and sales to include industrial, multifamily, and office transactions, allowing him to advise clients throughout the entire ownership lifecycle.

Prior to joining NewQuest, Austen served as a Senior Analyst in the Refinery Services division at Genesis Energy LP. He began his professional journey at PricewaterhouseCoopers following the completion of his BBA and Master of Accounting degrees at Baylor University. A native Houstonian, Austen leverages his deep market knowledge, strong relationships, analytical acumen, creativity, and attention to detail to consistently deliver value to his clients.

Nick Ramsey brings a dynamic range of expertise to the commercial real estate landscape, with a focus on project leasing, tenant representation, land acquisitions, and investment sales.

Nick began his real estate career at CBRE in 2017, where he spent three years honing his skills in project leasing. Since then, his portfolio has grown to include retail, industrial, and multifamily clients across the Texas market—demonstrating his versatility and deep market insight.

Prior to entering commercial real estate, Nick worked with RPM Exploration Ltd., where he managed title examination and lease negotiations for oil and gas prospects. His responsibilities also included generating lease check reports and preparing bill of sale assignments during the dissolution of exploration partnerships.

During his tenure at NewQuest, Nick has advised a diverse range of clients—including local, national, and international restaurant and retail brands—on investment and lease evaluations, marketing strategies, financing, site selection, strategic planning, and general consulting.

Nick is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Political Science and has also completed the Professional Land Management program at the University of Houston.

With over 25 years of leasing and development experience in the commercial real estate industry, David Meyers has been an integral part of NewQuest since its inception in 2001. As Leasing Director, David manages a team of 30 brokers and oversees each of NewQuest’s project’s tenant mix. In addition, as Development Partner, David has been directly involved in the construction of over 60 projects totaling more than eight million square feet, including several major town centers: Stone Hill Town Center, New Braunfels Town Center at Creekside, Brazos Town Center, Grand Morton Town Center, and Shops at Katy Reserve.

Over the course of his career, David has completed numerous lease transactions ranging from 1,200 to 100,000 square feet.

A graduate of Texas Christian University with a degree in Economics, David is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and finance advisory board of Monarch School. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing an occasional round of golf.

Jeff Lokey is Executive Vice President of NewQuest’s land brokerage division in Houston, bringing more than 30 years of commercial brokerage experience, including over two decades with NewQuest. Since joining the firm in 2000, Jeff has consistently been recognized for his performance, earning the title of Top Producer and being named an eight-time “Heavy Hitter” by the Houston Business Journal.

Jeff offers clients a comprehensive value package built on deep market knowledge, strategic insight, and decades of experience. His expertise provides the foundation needed to help land assets reach their full potential. He represents a broad range of landowners—from individuals to corporations and financial institutions.

Hugh Ruggles brings more than 42 years of experience in commercial real estate, with a focus on helping restaurant brands grow through smart expansion strategies. He founded Texas/Southwest Group, a firm known for its deep industry expertise and consistent results, completing over 500 transactions. In 2012, the company joined NewQuest, expanding its reach and delivering even greater value to clients.

Hugh attended North Texas State University and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from The University of Texas. Before launching his real estate career, he served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He lives in Texas with his wife and is the proud father of two adult children.

Neal Thomson joined NewQuest in 2013 and has been active in the real estate industry since 2009. He specializes in land acquisition for both buyers and sellers, tenant representation, and third-party project leasing.

Throughout his time at NewQuest, Neal has advised clients on site selection, market analysis, and contract negotiations across a wide range of projects. Born and raised in Houston, he brings deep local knowledge and insight to every transaction.

Neal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Houston.