MERIT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Property Management
In May 2023, Amanda joined Merit Commercial Real Estate, bringing with her more than 20 years of invaluable experience in managing commercial office and retail properties. With her esteemed designations of CPM and RPA, Amanda assumed the role of Director of Property Management, where she skillfully oversees the day-to-day operations of Merit's portfolios.
Drawing from her extensive expertise in building operations, business development, strategic planning, acquisitions, financial reporting, tenant improvements, and construction, Amanda possesses a vast knowledge of overseeing contracted services and other related functions. Her goal is to continuously maintain and enhance the long-term value of all assets under her purview.
What truly sets Amanda apart is her unwavering commitment to her clients' success, which is evident through the exceptional performance of her properties. She fosters personal relationships with owners, tenants, and service providers, creating a collaborative environment that fuels the success of all stakeholders.
Amanda remains actively engaged in professional organizations such as IREM San Antonio and BOMA San Antonio, demonstrating her dedication to staying current with industry best practices and fostering connections within the real estate community.
Job Titles:
- Capital Markets Associate
Blake Rosenthal is a Capital Markets Associate at Merit and joined the Company in January of 2022. Blake is responsible for assisting the acquisition and development teams with financial underwriting and market analysis for new investment opportunities. Additionally, Blake's responsibilities include supporting senior management with capital sourcing, market research, and implementing the Investment Committee process.
Previously, Blake worked at Weston Urban where he was responsible for managing the portfolio's operating budgets and financial reporting deliverables owed to partners and lenders. Blake was also involved in the Company's leasing efforts, working both independently for properties leased in-house and directly with third-party brokers externally .
Blake attended The University of Texas at Austin where he received both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, hanging out with friends, and watching sports. Blake is an avid Longhorn and Spurs fan and looks forward to the day when both return to glory.
Brian is a Senior Vice President of Leasing for Merit, managing all leasing activities for Merit retail projects and managing site selection for Merit's retail tenant representation accounts. His primary market focus is San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo, but he also represents clients in West Texas and Oklahoma projects.
Prior to joining Merit Commercial Real Estate, Brian was with DuWest Realty where he focused on retail leasing of shopping centers and tenant representation. Before venturing into commercial real estate, Brian began his career at Scottish Rite Hospital in 2011 after attending the University of Texas at Austin. While with Scottish Rite Hospital, Brian managed the day to day operations of Oil and Gas on the Rocker b Ranch.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President for Merit Commercial Real Estate
Brian Young, Vice President for Merit Commercial Real Estate, specializes in sales and leasing of office and flex space. He brings significant experience from both landlord and tenant representation perspectives to create value for each of his clients. His reputation for hard work, excellent customer service, creative negotiation skills, and prompt responsiveness has enabled him to successfully close nearly 2 million square feet of lease and sale transactions.
Prior to joining Merit, Brian served as Vice President at Stream Realty Partners working in San Antonio's Transaction Specialist group. With a focus on relationships, he successfully developed new tenant and landlord representation business, while effectively managing a landlord leasing portfolio of multiple buildings consisting of nearly 1 million square feet of office space for clients such as Gemini Rosemont, LoneRock, Daniel Jacob Interests and others throughout San Antonio.
Brian previously worked for Toyota/Lexus Financial Services corporate division for over 12 years in various positions throughout Southern California and Texas including credit/underwriting, wholesale lending, real estate and working capital loan acquisition, dealer sales management, as well as lending/service operations management. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Pepperdine University.
Britney joined Merit Commercial Real Estate in August 2019. As Development Manager, she plays an integral role in the oversight of all development projects. This includes management of all due diligence, programming, design, entitlements, construction, and turnover. In addition to her contribution to the development team, she is also involved in various lease administration functions and office management activities. In February 2022, Britney was appointed by the San Antonio City Council for a two-year term to the Planning Commission. Outside the office, you can find Britney at the volleyball courts or on the bay fishing the Texas coast!
Cheyenne joined Merit Commercial Real Estate in December of 2022 as a Clerical Accountant. In July of 2023, she was promoted to Accounting Specialist. Cheyenne is primarily responsible for facilitating the accounts payable and receivables of the Merit portfolio.
Prior to joining Merit, Cheyenne worked in multi-family real estate at The Lynd Company. As the Vendor Specialist, Cheyenne managed both the vendor credentialing and billing software. During her time at The Lynd Company, Cheyenne provided training to onsite staff, educating her team on how to best utilize the software - maximizing purchasing power and control spending.
Dedicated to self-improvement both personally and professionally, Cheyenne plans to pursue her education and obtain her degree in Accounting. Outside the office Cheyenne enjoys seeking new experiences - places and food, hiking with her dog, and nights in with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Commercial Real Estate in 2021 As an Associate
Gabe joined Merit Commercial Real Estate in 2021 as an Associate on Merit's transaction team. Gabe specializes in Tenant Representation and industrial leasing.
Prior to joining Merit, Gabe gained a deep level of experience with building systems and operations working for Stream Realty Partners in San Antonio where he was responsible for nearly 3 million SF of industrial buildings.
Gabe also served Honorably in the United States Army from 2010-2017. During his tenure in the Army, Gabe led multiple teams in combat operations and received numerous commendations for Valor, Merit, and efficiency.
Gabe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Texas A&M - San Antonio.
Iryna joined Merit Commercial Real Estate in October 2023 as a staff accountant. Iryna is responsible for managing a portfolio of the financial accounts for Merit's office, multi-use and retail projects. Previously, Iryna worked for The Parvin Group for over four years where she held a staff accounting role for the management of the Parvin Law Firm, White Rhino Coffee, and Parvin Properties. She also brings experience from her home country, Belarus, working for six years as an economist at Belagroprom Bank's corporate office.
Iryna holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Credit from Belarusian State Economic University.
Kristel joined Merit Commercial Real Estate in May 2022 as a Staff Accountant. Kristel is responsible for managing the financial accounting for Merit retail projects. Prior to joining Merit, Kristel served as a financial audit analyst at Ernst & Young where she assisted the Assurance team in the management and administration of audit reporting for private equity funds. She also brings experience from her position at Industrial Group Southwest, a real estate operating company, where she held a junior accounting role.
Kristel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Accounting degree from the University of the Incarnate Word.
Kristin joined Merit Commercial Real Estate in August 2023 as Marketing Manager. Kristin's background in visual communication and real estate marketing make her an excellent fit for her role as Marketing Manager at Merit Commercial Real Estate. In this position, she is responsible for developing and executing strategic plans to promote the company's services.
Prior to joining Merit, Kristin worked as an Account Manager at Partners Real Estate, where she assisted her brokerage team with all things marketing related to their listings. She also gained valuable experience as a Marketing Coordinator at Medallion Homes, a San Antonio homebuilder. With her diverse skill set and experience, Kristin is well-equipped to help Merit achieve its goal of expanding its client base and increasing revenue. In addition to her professional experience, Kristin holds a Visual Communication degree with a major in Multi-Media and has her Texas Real Estate License. She also runs a successful photography business on the side.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Property Manager
Marie joined Merit Commercial Real Estate in October 2023 as an Assistant Property Manager. Marie is a seasoned professional in property management, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. As a key member of the Property Management team at Merit, she plays a crucial role in supporting the Property Manager across various aspects of the portfolio, including both office and retail properties. Her responsibilities extend to addressing day-to-day property issues, fostering positive tenant relations, and managing interactions with vendors.
Marie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Meagan joined Merit CRE in June of 2023 as Sr. Staff Accountant. In September of that year, she was promoted to Accounting Manager. Meagan is primarily responsible for overseeing the accounting department, preparing monthly, quarterly and yearly financial statements and working closely with external CPAs. As our SR Staff Accountant, Meagan finalized all franchise and entity tax reporting and helped lead the team through final transitioning to our new accounting software.
Prior to joining Merit, Meagan worked in multi-entity dealership accounting at Principle Auto Group. As the Accounting Supervisor, Meagan worked closely with controllers, staff accountants and office managers to complete monthly financials and to build training programs for incoming new associates. Meagan was part of the Executive implementation team for a rollout of the company's new software program which included creating overall company polices and procedures. She completed the Stegen Leadership Academy program and was awarded 1Q23 Compass Winner for "Defining Excellence" within her first six months of employment. Prior to that Meagan was a Regional Shared Services AR Supervisor and Office Manager for Cintas corporation for almost 13 years and brings a wealth of accounting knowledge to the Merit Team.
Outside the office Meagan spends most of her free time at school sporting events with her kids and husband. She loves experiencing new adventures, long road trips and trying out new and unusual restaurants.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President, Occupier Services
Prior to joining Merit, Pete was a partner in the San Antonio office of Jackson & Walker and, before that, was with Cox & Smith and its successor Dykema. Listed in the Best Lawyers in America each year since 2009, Pete was named that publication's Lawyer of the Year for Real Estate Law in San Antonio in 2022. He also received an Outstanding Lawyer Award from the San Antonio Business Journal in 2018.
Pete graduated cum laude from Trinity University with a B.A. in Business Administration and Economics and received his Juris Doctorate degree from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law.
During his 35 years in real estate law, Pete has led legal teams on many transformative projects including:
Acquisition of the project site for Toyota's San Antonio Manufacturing Plant and negotiating incentives
Acquisition of the CPS Energy headquarters buildings
Conversion of Austin's antiquated Palmer Auditorium into the Long Center for the Performing Arts
San Marcos Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center
Representation of Frost Bank in the public-private partnership that led to the sale of the existing tower to the City of San Antonio and construction of the new Frost Bank Tower
Representation of the Village of Bee Cave in the incentive and entitlement package that led to the construction of the Hill Country Galleria
Development of the entitlement process and controls for the Circle C and Steiner Ranch Developments in Austin, covering approximately 7,000 acres in the aggregate
A graduate of Leadership San Antonio, Pete has been involved in numerous civic endeavors. He serves on the board of directors of Centro San Antonio and was the Board Chair for that organization in 2022. In addition, he sits on the local ULI chapter's Founder's Council and previously served as a mentor in its mentorship program. He is a past board member of SNIPSA and former board member and past Chairman of the Board of Respite Care of San Antonio.
Prior to joining Merit, Pete was a partner in the San Antonio office of Jackson & Walker and, before that, was with Cox & Smith and its successor Dykema. Listed in the Best Lawyers in America each year since 2009, Pete was named that publication's Lawyer of the Year for Real Estate Law in San Antonio in 2022. He also received an Outstanding Lawyer Award from the San Antonio Business Journal in 2018.
Pete graduated cum laude from Trinity University with a B.A. in Business Administration and Economics and received his Juris Doctorate degree from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law.
Acquisition of the project site for Toyota's San Antonio Manufacturing Plant and negotiating incentives
Ryan began his career in commercial real estate in 2003 with locally owned and operated, Brass Funds. In 2011 Ryan joined Stream Realty Partners. During this time, Ryan completed more than $120M in real estate transactions focusing on project leasing, investment sales, tenant and buyer representation and land sales.
In 2014, Stream asked Ryan to co-lead the company's San Antonio office. In this role, he was responsible all operations and the overall growth of Stream' s leasing, sales and property management platform in Central Texas, including office, medical office, industrial and retail service lines. Over the next five years, Stream's Revenue from its San Antonio office expanded by double, with significant increases in employee headcount and net income. Ryan also led the acquisition and development of several key San Antonio projects including Sonterra Medical Park, Lockhill Crossing Office Building, Village Point Shopping Center and others.
Ryan left Stream in 2020 and launched Merit Commercial Real Estate with partner, Will Collins. Merit provides property management, leasing and sales services in the office, medical office, retail, and industrial sectors. Merit is a creative and entrepreneurial team driven by the need to build success for each of its clients and partners. Born in the ranks of larger firms, each of these individuals are convinced of the strength that lies in that core group who are willing to out-work and out-serve the rest, commit to a team of like-minded professionals and raise the bar for service in commercial real estate.
Shelly joined Merit Commercial Real Estate in April of 2022 as Chief of Staff. Shelly is responsible for Human Resources management, recruiting, office management and acts as Executive Assistant to the CEOs.
Before joining Merit, Shelly was in the Senior Living industry for 20 years. She was in Executive Leadership roles within the industry for 10 years and specialized in team building, recruitment, budgeting, finance, and policies & procedures. Shelly holds her Associate Degree in Accounting and her Bachelor Degree in Intercultural Studies. She also has completed Master level coursework in Counseling and is currently working towards her SHRM certification. In her job, she enjoys learning, teaching, mentoring, and watching others grow and develop in their roles.
Shelly grew up in Missouri and moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2017 to be close to family. She is very involved in her local church and ministries. She enjoys the theatre, the beach, hiking, being with friends and loves to travel both nationally and internationally! She is always looking forward to her next adventure but can also enjoy a quiet evening at home with her cat, Trevor.
Job Titles:
- Director, Occupier Services
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Commercial Real Estate in 2022 As an Associate
Tommy joined Merit Commercial Real Estate in 2022 as an associate. Tommy specializes in tenant representation and retail leasing. His primary market focus is San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.
Prior to joining Merit Commercial Real Estate, Tommy was with Medsharps and Marshall Shredding in Dallas where he focused on growing the DFW market. While working in Dallas, Tommy attended Southern Methodist University where he received his Master's in Finance and MBA with a concentration in Real Estate. Tommy attended the University of Texas at Austin where he received his Bachelor's in General Geology.
In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, hunting and fly fishing, and getting his soul crushed every year by UT football.
Based in San Antonio, Mr. West specializes in land and tenant representation for Merit Commercial Real Estate. He is skillful in assisting clients to identify and secure optimal locations and drive value for their organizations. Mr. West' s vast experience in sales and tenant representation has enabled him to develop and maintain strong relationships at the national, regional and local level. Mr. West brings more than 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry with expertise in leasing, development, sales and tenant representation. Prior to joining Merit Commercial Real Estate, Mr. West worked as a Vice President with JLL where he was responsible for retail tenant representation and leasing space in numerous shopping centers and completed several large land sales transactions in San Antonio and South Texas.
Mr. West received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. He is active in several professional organizations including the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and is a graduate of the 2005-2006 Real Estate Council of San Antonio Leadership Development Program, where he previously served as the program advisor. He is a past president as well as a past executive board member of CCIM San Antonio Chapter and also served on the Advisory Board for SA Life Academy. Additionally, Mr. West served as a board member of The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas for seven years. Mr. West is a graduate of the Leadership San Antonio Class 43.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Chairman of the Board of Trustees for St. Luke 's Episcopal School
- Co - CEO
- Director and Investor in Vantage Bank Texas
Will Collins is the Co-CEO of Merit Commercial Real Estate. Mr. Collins has served in various capacities of leadership, management and
transactional work in the real estate and finance industries over the past 18 years. His experience includes investing, developing and
managing more than 1,500,000 square feet and $500 million in commercial real estate assets. In addition, Will is experienced in landlord
Mr. Collins is also a Director and investor in Vantage Bank Texas, a $3 billion state-wide bank. He has been actively involved in the