4D — August 20 - September 16, 2021 — 40 Under 40 — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
40 U nder 40
What is your great- est professional ac- complishment? Leading Bohler’s of - fice in Manasquan, NJ where I can continue building relationships with landowners and developers throughout New Jersey and along the Jersey Shore.
What is your great- est professional ac- complishment? Leading the opening of a new office for Bohler in Richmond. Having grown up there, it’s al - ways been a goal of mine to be in a position where I can positively impact that region through suc - cessful land develop - ment. What is your most notable project, deal or transaction? 5th Street Station, a 470,000 s/f commercial development in Charlottesville, VA. Before opening Bohler’s Richmond office, I led the site engineering design for this project out of our Northern Virginia branch and helped to bring high- quality retail and restaurant spaces to the heart of the community. I really enjoyed working on this project because it reiterated the importance of relation - ships and utilizing a team approach to solve intense engineering challenges. Members of the development team and jurisdiction frequently came together to ensure a quality product was delivered on time. How do you contribute to your company and/or the industry? At Bohler, we’re driven to move people and projects forward. Together with my team, I help owners and developers identify and act on opportunities to succeed in the growing Richmond market. That includes helping clients leverage juris - dictional resources like fast-track incentive programs and delivering creative and cost-effective stormwater management design solutions for large sites. Our biggest impact is in providing real estate consulting services to help deals cross the finish line. We’ve built strong relationships with tenants, end-users, and homebuilders that we use to make connections for developers. Drawing from our history working throughout the Greater Richmond area, we’re also able to connect developers and their brokers with unlisted sites that may be available. Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in, about your current position and why you choose the field/pro - fession you are in today? I was born and raised in Richmond and have fond memories of summers spent fishing and boating on the James River and Chesapeake Bay. Having witnessed firsthand the impact of floods and hurricanes that hit the area growing up and understanding the importance of holistic design and intentional growth, I felt moved to take action by pursuing a career in land development. What were some of your early goals and did anything happen to change them? Early on, my goals were design-based and very technical. I was focused on water resources, disaster relief, and the technical designs that would better protect the water and shorelines. As I got further along in my career, I realized that I could have a greater impact on the world by shifting my focus to a more broader spectrum of project types, and then leveraging my leadership position in civil engineering as a platform for real change. What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? I challenge the status quo. I don’t do things just because they’ve always been done a certain way. I believe that new and fresh ideas result in a better end product, and I work to find win-win solutions that benefit communities and help developers achieve their goals. As I have advanced in my career and grown as a leader, I find that using com - passion and empathy in my daily interactions is the key to developing strong relationships – both with my staff and clients. Who do you feel was most influential in your life when choosing this profession? Early on, my grandparents instilled in me the values of honesty, hard work, and loyalty. Then, a close family friend guided me to Virginia Tech to pursue an engineering career and introduced me to the land development industry through a series of internships at Henrico County. These experiences set me on the path to a land development career and developed my love for the Richmond area. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young executive graduating from college today? I’m extremely proud to have the opportunity to give back to my Virginia Tech community through the LDDI program [ article link ]. I’ve recently begun to help teach an Advanced Land Development Design class, in which I can men - tor up-and-coming engineering students and give them a real-world look into our industry. MAREJ Ryan Yauger, PE Branch Manager Bohler (Richmond, VA) Years with company/firm: 9 Years in field: 9 Years in real estate industry: 9 Real estate organizations/ affiliations: ULI, GRACRE, NVBIA, ICSC, LDDI at Virginia Tech
James F. Thaon, PE Associate, Branch Manager Company/firm: Bohler Years with company/firm: 7 Years in field: 7
I am also proud of the mentorship I provide to my team. I’m honored to be in a leadership position where I can guide them through their careers and empower them to accomplish their goals. What is your most notable project, deal or transaction? The Crossings at Brick Church Station, a mixed-use redevelopment with 200,000 s/f of commercial space and 800 residential units in East Orange, NJ. Before leading Bohler’s Manasquan office, I led the site civil engineering design of this transformative project out of our Northern New Jersey office.The NJDOT named this project a ‘Transit Village’ as the community is centered around transportation hubs that promote car-free living and reduce traffic congestion. How do you contribute to your company and/or the industry? At Bohler, we help owners and developers act on opportunities to accomplish their most ambitious land development goals. Currently, that includes guiding developers through the impacts of the NJ Department of Environmental Protec - tion (NJDEP)’s new stormwater management regulations. Together with my team, I am leading Bohler’s efforts to understand, interpret and adapt to these significant changes. We’re focused on finding design solutions that adhere to the updated regulations while mitigating impacts to density, construction costs, and maintenance programs. What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? Perhaps out of character for a stereotypical “engineer,” I actually enjoy public speaking. In a very technical industry like engineering, it’s important to be able to explain what we do in a way that non-engineers can understand, and even get excited about. What was the most defining moment for you? In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, my girlfriend was diagnosed with breast cancer. Helping her overcome this illness and being by her side dur - ing treatment impacted my outlook on life and what is important to me. This experience continues to humble and motivate me in both my personal and professional life. Who do you feel was most influential in your life when choosing this profession? My siblings and I are first-generation Americans. Our parents worked hard to provide us with endless opportunities, but also taught us to work hard, be inquisitive, and remain humble. My father worked in construction in New York City, and would take me on his job sites as a child. I learned about the work and equipment, but the experi - ence also helped me to develop a strong work ethic and a fascination for land development. What outside activities do you enjoy during your free time? I enjoy watching Formula One races, working out, and playing sports. I recently picked up golf, so much of my free time is spent at the driving range working on my form. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young executive graduating from college today? I would encourage all young graduates to recognize that people are the most valuable asset to building your career, so make meaningful connections and develop strong relationships in your industry. Remain humble enough to learn from those relationships and then help others in return. MAREJ
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