Each year, Midwest Real Estate News inducts new members in its Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. This year, we are running profiles of these new hall members every Tuesday. Today, we look at the career of Rich Forslund, executive vice president with the Indianapolis office of Colliers International.
Rich Forslund has completed more than $850 million in transactions during his commercial real estate career. And when asked how he’s managed to thrive in this competitive industry? Forslund, executive vice president with the Indianapolis office of Colliers International, points to his creativity, drive and willingness to keep learning about his industry and market.
“Looking at other business sectors, realizing similarities and working to reinvent or recreate is key,” Forslund said. “Realizing you have weaknesses where others have strengths is also key. Don’t let ego convince you to work alone or that you have all the answers.”
During his 17-year career, Forslund has specialized in office leasing and sales throughout the Indianapolis market. He has since developed a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable and skilled office brokers here.
His peers say that Forslund’s creative side acts as this broker’s brand. They say, too, that his willingness to present a property’s full, unique story has set a higher bar not only in Colliers’ Indianapolis office but across the entire market. Energy, creative thinking and focus are Forslund’s strengths, according to his nominators.
It’s not surprising, then, that Forslund has become a go-to subject-matter expert on commercial real estate trends for local and national media. He has been quoted in the New York Times, Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis Business Journal and other industry publications.
“I enjoy the diversity and unique aspects real estate projects bring about,” Forslund said. “No project is the same, and they all require distinctive thought, strategy and overall coordination. I also love the people and situations you are introduced to within the business. One day you are working with a start-up with a dream and the next you are working with a mayor or city official on a project that will help move a city forward for generations to come.”
When not working, Forslund enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife have three daughters from the ages of 8 to 14. Checking off bucket-list items has become a priority in his home.
“Summiting mountains, taking on a horse farm and picking the next destination for a family vacation is top of mind around the Forslund dinner table,” he said.
