Midwest Real Estate News elects a new class to its Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Here’s a look at one of our new inductees, Matthew McFadden, executive managing director and principal of global corporate services with the Kansas City, Missouri, office of Newmark Zimmer.
Understanding his clients’ real estate needs. Devising strategies to help them reach their goals. That is Matthew McFadden’s talent. And it’s why he’s managed to build such a thriving career in commercial real estate.
McFadden, who joined the Kansas City office of Newmark Zimmer in 2008, has a long history of succeeding in the corporate services area of commercial real estate. During his career, McFadden has worked for several Fortune 500 companies. His practice includes everything from transactional management and strategic planning to portfolio management and tenant representation.
This is a varied practice. And this variety is part of what fuels McFadden’s passion for commercial real estate.
“As a Corporate Services rep, I work with corporations that may have a number of different asset types geographically dispersed around the world,” McFadden said. “I might be working on an industrial deal in Mexico City in the morning and an office deal in Omaha later that afternoon. It keeps things very interesting.
Before joining Newmark Zimmer, McFadden managed a 20-million-square-foot global real estate portfolio for Honeywell International, Inc. Prior to that, he began his career with Sprint, managing a national retail and office portfolio.
What are some of the reasons for McFadden’s success? He credits the relationships he’s built, his strong work ethic and his passion for the business.
“I’ve formed some good relationships over the years, worked hard and been consistent and that has really paid dividends – no secret there,” McFadden said. “Moreover, I’ve surrounded myself with the best talent around and they push me and make me smarter. Finally, and this is a big key to success, I really like working in commercial real estate. Most days I leave the office completely energized.”
This doesn’t mean that there haven’t been challenges. McFadden points to 2007 and 2008, the years of the Great Recession, which were especially challenging for CRE professionals.
“In the summer of 2007, I left a corporate real estate job at Honeywell to join Newmark Zimmer,” McFadden said. “As I was getting my feet wet on the service side of the business, the world fell apart. I had to learn fast and adapt quickly and there was a lot of uncertainty, but I ended up getting some pretty good clients during that time and found success. That taught me that I could overcome a lot.”
McFadden’s peers have recognized this industry veteran’s talents. He has been listed in Kansas City Business Journal’s Heavy Hitters in Commercial Real Estate and named in Ingram’s Magazine’s 40 Under 40. Honeywell International honored McFadden with its Top Performers Award. And McFadden earned the Value Award and Site Vision Award from Six Sigma Plus.
Outside of his work hours, McFadden enjoys traveling with his wife and children, especially now that his three sons are older and pushing McFadden and his wife to try new adventures. He also rides adventure motorcycles off-road and travels into the backcountry each year.