KeyNote Submission
This curated collection of published or publishable content authored by LAI members showcases our industry’s best thought leadership. Articles and excerpts share a wealth of knowledge — from industry trends and academic research to expert perspectives.
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Content for KeyNotes posts consist of land-economics topics and directly relate to a LAI member, chapter, or a global LAI event.
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Bringing Together
Foresight.
And Insight.
Memphis Welcomes 10 New Members at September Banquet
September 25, 2026
- Kaitlyn Grant: Kaitlyn is a Vice President of CBRE Valuation and Advisory Services. She has served as the President of the University of Memphis Lambda Alpha Student Association and has twice been honored as a LAI scholarship recipient. Kaitlyn has been named as the Member of the Year by the local Commercial Real Estate Women’s Organization and is currently President of that organization. She is a licensed appraiser in TN, MS & AL and is pursuing her MAI designation.
- Stuart Harris: Stuart is a Memphian that has been involved in commercial and residential development business for over 25 years plus work at CBRE in research, leasing and investment sales. Stuart leads a local team that has acquired the iconic Sterick Building and is diligently working on a game plan to resurrect the property at Madison Avenue and Third Street into a mixed-use asset worthy of its history.
- Thomas Hewgley: After earning his Business Degree at Christian Brothers University, Thomas jumped into commercial real estate in Memphis in a variety of endeavors: licensed in TN & AR, “real time” education in zoning, site selection, development, underwriting and management. To round out his experience, he received his Law Degree at University of Memphis and practices at Bradsher Alpert Stuart, PLLC with a specialty in real estate.
- Ron Kastner: Ron is Memphis-educated and his love of the City is reflected by a career that spans 30 years of success in the Memphis office market. Ron has numerous awards in representing tenants and landlords negotiating office leases. Nomination letters to the LAI board described Ron as “fair, respectful, creative, sophisticated, graceful, patient, a wealth of knowledge, a pro’s pro”.
- Tracy Mitchell: Tracy holds a Bachelors in Business Administration and Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Memphis. For 22 years, Tracy has been a force in the affordable housing world in the City with positions at Habitat for Humanity, Community Lift, EDGE and the last five years as Director of commercial real estate at Pathway Lending. At Pathway, she leads a team to deploy capital on housing in our urban areas.
- Josh Poag: Josh is President and CEO of Poag Development Group since its formation in 2021. Josh is a second-generation retail developer specializing in mixed use and lifestyle projects across the US including the legacy property, Saddle Creek in Germantown. He was involved in the conception of Highland Row and most recently has guided an investment group in the ambitious reinventing of the Oak Court Mall asset. Josh is active in the industry through ULI & ICSC and in the community through United Way and Hutchison School.
- Patrick Reilly: Patrick is a First Vice President of CBRE in Memphis and has focused on leasing office space over the last 24 years. Patrick’s success is best illustrated by results – 1.7 million sf of office leases and 12 Pinnacle Awards. He has represented all of the local landlords as well as numerous national developers with Memphis holdings. Patrick has always been driven to meet the demands and goals of the landlord and tenant.
- Brett Roler: Brett has been the Chief Operating Officer of the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) since 2010. He earned a degree in architecture from UT Knoxville and a Masters in City and Regional Planning from the University of Memphis. Brett has provided visionary leadership to the OPD and DMC relating to the betterment of the Downtown area. Curing blight, building the PILOT program and implementing the Downtown Parking Strategy have been amount his initiatives. Brett has received numerous local and national awards for his guidance and vision for historical preservation.
- Justin Starling: Justin has earned a Masters in City Planning at University of Memphis and a Law Degree at Ole Miss before joining Bass Berry & Sims law firm specializing in all the variables of commercial real estate over the last 16 years. Justin’s talents have been utilized by a variety of local and national clients while assisting in familiar projects like Crosstown Concourse, Central Station, Caption by Hyatt, Shelby Farms and Highland Strip. He is annually recognized on lists of outstanding real estate attorneys across the Country.
- Ben Sutton: Ben received his Bachelors in Finance at University of Memphis and has enjoyed a 20 year career in banking real estate and credit at Memphis community banks. In 13 years at Financial Federal Bank, he has risen to Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. Ben is active in the community through Habitat for Humanity and the Germantown Baseball League Coach and Board Member.