Nashville State of the Market

Karl Sprules is Head of Global Technology & Operations, having assumed the role in 2018. He joined the AB technology department in 1998 as a senior systems engineer in London. From 2012 to 2020, Sprules served as AB’s chief technology officer, and in 2018 he led the Technology & Operations division’s move to AB’s new headquarters in Nashville. In 2012, he became head of Infrastructure Services for Equities, managing the Investment Operations, Operational Risk and Technology teams. From 2005 to 2012, Sprules led technology for AB’s Private Client, Institutional and Client Groups. In 1999, he was named director of the Internet Services Group. Before joining the firm, Sprules was a developer for two years at HSBC. Prior to that, he held research analyst positions in cellular and defense product development. Location: Nashville

Schneider directs the financial aspects of the 5th + Broadway development project. He manages the project budget, financial analysis, and serves as liaison between key financial partners. Schneider’s blend of commercial real estate development and lending experience allows him to holistically manage the financial complexities for mixed-used developments. Most recently, as a member of the Bayer Properties team, Schneider directed the financial operations for The Summit at Fritz Farm development in Lexington, KY. He holds a Master of Business Administration, specializing in finance, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from The University of Alabama.

Over a 15 year career, the last ten in Nashville, Justin H. Wilson has become a highly sought after strategic communications partner. He leads comprehensive, results-driven communications strategies for companies and organizations that are shaping the future of the region and rewriting what is possible in their respective industries. As a Partner and co-owner at Hall Strategies, Justin serves as managing director of public relations, overseeing strategic communications, marketing and branding, crisis communications, community relations, social media and media relations. He has diverse multi-industry expertise which includes professional and financial services, logistics, law, healthcare, technology, nonprofits, and food service industries. During Nashville’s boom era, he’s helped build the area’s leading commercial real estate communications practice, representing billions in proposed and under development projects. Throughout his public relations career, his work has been frequently recognized by peer and industry groups and has been named to the Nashville Post's In Charge list of top business leaders. Justin led client programs and projects have been named a National PRSA Silver Anvil finalist and won a Telly Bronze Award, a Communicator Award of Distinction, an LEA Global Marketing Achievement Award, and 17 Nashville PRSA Parthenon Awards. Before joining Hall Strategies, Justin was a vice president at DVL Seigenthaler, A Finn Partners Company. Before that, he served as director of client services for Seigenthaler Public Relations. Prior to Nashville, Justin was a senior coordinator for the Political Affairs and Federation Relations Department at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. In 2008, he played a frontline role in the execution of a $37 million national voter-education campaign. Justin began his professional career working in the Office of the Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. He is a graduate of Auburn University, where he earned undergraduate degrees in marketing and English. He currently serves on the board of directors at Autism TN.

Jason Holwerda joined the Foundry Commercial team as the Nashville Market Leader in 2014 after spending the first 10 years of his career with Crescent Communities, LLC in leasing and development. As Market Leader Jason is responsible for the overall Nashville business unit and the day to day operation as well as maintaining and servicing a number of clients both local and institutional. Jason also serves as the deal principal for the Nashville region and responsible for sourcing and deploying Foundry capital in the region. Throughout his brokerage career Jason has leased over 5 million square feet both on the Landlord and Tenant side of transactions which total more than $1 Billion in total lease transaction volume. In addition he has been instrumental in several office and industrial development projects, investment sales, acquisitions and dispositions. Jason's history in leasing and brokerage have enabled him to successfully work with some of the best clients, owners and tenants in the industry. Personally, Jason is married to his wife (Jessica) with three boys (Jackson, Luke, and Brooks). Jason is an avid golfer and former collegiate basketball player with numerous recognitions and awards during his playing career.

Dean Stratouly co-founded Congress Group nearly 35 years ago, building it into one of the area’s leading commercial real estate investment and development firms. Alongside a solid wealth of knowledge and expertise with a proven commitment to creating value, Mr. Stratouly collaborates with his investment partners on complex high quality office, mixed-use, and multi-family developments to maximize return and realize a property’s highest and best use. Mr. Stratouly spearheads the company’s investment strategy, deal generation, institutional relationships and long-term strategic planning. He actively oversees every company transaction with hands-on energy and focus. A graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and from Central Michigan State University with a Master of Business Management, Mr. Stratouly resides with his family in Boston. Leadership positions include: Massachusetts Convention Authority, Former Board Vice Chairman and Development Committee Chair. Responsible for overseeing the development and construction of the 2.1 million square foot Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Greater Boston Real Estate Board, Member and Former President Featured Lecturer: MIT Center for Real Estate; Brown University Urban Studies Program Additional corporate and non-profit boards.

Creed Investment Company’s President, David W. Creed, has developed nearly $50,000,000 of creative office and retail product. These incredible investments can be found in the best locations imaginable in downtown Nashville, the Gulch, Sidco Drive, and Main Street Cincinnati. David’s commercial real estate career began in 2008 with CBRE in Memphis, TN following graduation from Middle Tennessee State University. His first venture into investment real estate began in 2009 during the recession when David and several young entrepreneurs pooled the small amount they had together to buy foreclosed homes for renovation, lease up, and sale. By late 2009, David moved to Nashville to join the commercial estate team at Colliers Turley Martin & Tucker and for the next several years he focused on office and industrial brokerage services. In 2013, David joined the Nashville office of SVN as Partner and Managing Director where he focused on investment services and brokerage. While serving SVN as a Managing Director, David formed several successful real estate partnerships to purchase urban properties and develop adaptive reuse projects which ultimately led to the formation of Creed Investment Company. David resides in Franklin, TN with his wife, Adrianne, and his two children Solomon and Lana Belle. Adrianne leads Creed Investment Company’s philanthropic giving program and is actively engaged in the community.

John oversees daily business operations and provides overall strategic guidance to the company’s employees to achieve organizational goals and objectives. John entered the real estate business after graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1984. He started in property management and later moved into brokerage. In 1993 he joined Schaedle Worthington Hyde (SWH) in his hometown, Nashville, TN, as a Development Associate, then Development Partner and in 1998 relocated with his family to Atlanta to become President & COO of SWH, a fully integrated real estate acquisition, development, construction and management organization which controlled and operated apartment and hotel properties in 13 states which grew to employ over 500 people. In 2005-2006, Bob Worthington and John led the firm’s successful sale of its portfolio in anticipation of a major market correction. In 2007, John founded Tirrill Property Company (TPC) to provide asset management, due diligence and development/construction management services to clients that included real estate investment funds, individual investors and family investment partnerships. In 2012, TPC partnered with Worthington Hyde Partners in an apartment development investment strategy as SWH Partners which went on to successfully invest over $600MM. In October of 2019 Bob, John, John Pontius and Pitt Hyde founded META Real Estate Partners. John lives in Atlanta and actively supports ULI, the YMCA and Georgia Organics. John enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, hiking and Saturday shopping trips to local farmers markets with his daughter. He has his wife, Greer, have a son and a daughter.

Bo is recognized as a leading real estate attorney by Chambers USA. Since 2005, Best Lawyers has recognized Bo in the categories of Banking and Finance Law, Project Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Notably, Best Lawyers named Bo Nashville's 2017 "Lawyer of the Year" in the area of Project Finance Law. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell. The Nashville Post recognized Bo as one of the "CRE50" – the top 50 leaders in Commercial Real Estate – and named him to its "2017 Power 100" list of individuals with the greatest impact on Nashville business. Additionally, Bo serves by mayoral appointment on the Electric Power Board of the Nashville Electric Service, one of the 12 largest public electric utilities in the nation.