Leadership Spotlight: A Conversation with Private Wealth Solutions Veteran, Drew Jackson
Drew Jackson joined the Capital Square team in late January 2023, bringing more than 25 years of experience in financial services to the firm, where he nurtures and expands relationships throughout the independent broker-dealer and registered investment advisor channels. As a member of the executive management team, Drew is deeply knowledgeable on the real estate industry and the investment community as well as on Capital Square itself.
The following conversation took place in late March 2024.
Looking at the real estate industry as a whole, what are you thinking about as we enter the second quarter of 2024?
Drew Jackson: It’s easy to feel the heavy burden of a tough economy, but recently, three different articles caught my eye from some of the largest institutional wealth managers in the world: Apollo, Goldman Sachs and Blackstone. These are institutions that know a thing or two. They’ve got their finger on the pulse of what’s going on, and all three of them last week spoke of their outlook. All three said that they feel the commercial real estate markets have bottomed, and they’re starting to work their way out.
- “CRE Prices Rebounding” (March 14, 2024)
- “Blackstone Advocates Real Estate Investment as Prices Hit Bottom” (March 15, 2024)
- “Goldman Sachs Asset Management Sees Buying Opportunity in U.S. Real Estate Market” (March 14, 2024)
It never happens linearly. There will be fits and spurts. But I feel like we really are about to turn the corner.
What’s your mindset when people feel like there’s still a lot of uncertainty out there?
Drew Jackson: In our mindfulness training – a great program our team is offered at Capital Square – we talk about the four major emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, and anger. As humans, we’re naturally tilted to think negative thoughts. It’s an evolutionary necessity. However, I’m optimistic by nature, and I’ve trained myself to remain so. And when I see confirmation of my optimism, of my positive outlook, that just feeds me even more. The economy seems to be turning, and Capital Square is incredibly well positioned.
Capital Square has been purposefully constructed to take advantage of this turn. We’re not just going to get back to where we were. We’re prepared to scale and take our business to an even higher level. I truly feel better now than I have in a long time.
As someone fairly new to the Capital Square team, what most excites you about the firm’s position in the industry?
Drew Jackson: Capital Square has been in this industry for 10 plus years. Most of the firm’s leadership has a multi-decade-long track record of being in the real estate space. While we’ve been working through a challenging environment economically as a nation, Capital Square has the deep background with leaders who know that we’ve been through this before.
There’s a calm view present:
- Let’s not overreact and stretch into directions we shouldn’t.
- Let’s understand that this is a moment in time.
Economic cycles have highs and lows, and Capital Square remains focused on what’s in the best interest of their investors at all times. And it’s not just talk here.
Capital Square’s actions over the years have shown that focus – sometimes even investing company funds to the tune of millions of dollars to ensure that the infrastructure, services and systems needed are in place. Doing it right is the priority. If the residents at our properties have a good experience, then you’re going to ensure that the investors are going to have a good experience.
You bring up residents. Capital Square Living, Capital Square’s property management division, launched in 2023, completing the vertical integration of the company. How impactful is that for the future?
Drew Jackson: It’s dramatic. There’s an additional element of control, going from the resident all the way around to the investor. We’re able to execute on our business plan and control outcomes much better than if we were outsourcing to different third parties. I think that’s huge. The time was right.
You might scratch at it, and say why are you doing this now? The answer’s simple: because when the markets are ready to swing back – and I believe we are in a position where things are about to swing back in a big way – you’ve already done the hard work. We did the hard work when things were tough.
And then when things aren’t as tough, even bigger possibilities can be on the horizon?
Drew Jackson: The philosophy that Capital Square put forth in their business plan and the firm’s dedication to investors first, as well as their partnerships with broker-dealers and RIAs … all of it is incredibly exciting. Our leaders are a part of national real estate and investment conversations. The team is meticulously in tune with economic shifts and real estate movements around the country.
In my opinion, it is going to pay off in a big way. This is how we build legacies for investors, team members, and communities. And I’m honored to be a part of it all.
Learn more investment insights from Capital Square, or explore our real estate research library. Then contact our team of real estate investment experts today to continue the conversation.
