Where did you grow up, and what led you to choose the University of Kentucky?
I grew up mostly out west—New Mexico, California, Oregon & Washington—before finishing high school in Russellville, Kentucky. My father worked as a project engineer on large industrial sites, which meant moving every few years and receiving an early, informal understanding of how construction projects come together. My first college internship was in project estimating for a new manufacturing facility, and that experience confirmed my interest in the intersection of finance and the built environment.
Russellville taught me a lot about hard work, humility, and community, but I knew I wanted to study finance and eventually work in larger metro markets. The University of Kentucky felt like the right first step—strong in finance, affordable, and close enough to home. I considered Clemson and DePaul, but UK offered the best balance of quality and value.
What was your academic path at Gatton and beyond?
I earned my undergraduate degree in Finance from Gatton and later completed an MBA at UNC–Chapel Hill with concentrations in Finance and Real Estate. I usually joke that I hope UK fans don’t hold my time in Chapel Hill against me—it just means I have two reasons to dislike Duke!
That said, while I do enjoy UK Basketball, I’ve always been a football guy. Excited about the energy Will Stein is bringing to the program and fan base. Will’s return to Lexington underscores what has been true for me as well—after beginning a long career, grounded in UK roots, I’ve found my way back to help build what comes next.
What were some defining Gatton experiences for you as a student?
While pursuing finance at Gatton, I took two of the same real estate courses I now teach—Principles of Real Estate and Real Estate Finance & Investments. At the time, the advanced coursework, student organizations, and structured real estate pathways that exist today had not yet taken shape. As a graduating senior, I didn’t fully appreciate how central real estate would become to my career.
That perspective now shapes my work as a faculty member. When students show interest in real estate, I want them to understand the breadth of the field and the range of opportunities available to them earlier—and with greater clarity—than I had at the time.
Can you describe your professional journey and how it led you back to Gatton?
I spent just over two decades working across finance and real estate development, including leadership roles with large financial institutions, boutique firms, family offices, and running my own development and construction companies. I’ve been fortunate to see the business from every angle—everything from crawl spaces to boardrooms.
My return to Gatton wasn’t part of a master plan. I started as a guest speaker for classes and student organizations and later spent time in a semi-recruiting capacity for one of my banking roles. That eventually led to an adjunct position, and over time, evolution took hold. What began as industry engagement became a full-time role—bridging academia and practice in a way that felt natural and meaningful.
In many ways, I’m one of Lexington’s “boomerang kids.” After building a career in markets like Cincinnati, New York, and Charlotte, I’ve come full circle—back to a place that has always felt like home.
I bleed blue, enjoy bourbon tastings, and have a deep appreciation for horses and the preservation of our beautiful farms, while also recognizing the need for thoughtful growth and development.
How does that experience influence your teaching and leadership today?
Real estate sits at the intersection of finance, construction, policy, and community outcomes. Students need more than theory—they need context. I try to bring real-world decision-making into the classroom, so students understand how capital is allocated, how deals are structured, and why some projects succeed while others don’t.
That same philosophy guides the Gatton Center for Real Estate. The Center is launched and continues to grow, with a focus on the student experience and clear career pathways across both residential and commercial real estate.
I’ve mentioned my appreciation for both preservation and development, and Lexington’s Urban Service Boundary places the city squarely at the center of that conversation. That tension—between protecting what makes a place special and accommodating responsible growth—creates a powerful learning environment. It’s a meaningful point of differentiation for Gatton and offers students the opportunity to engage these debates firsthand, gaining practical insight that few real estate programs across the country can replicate.
What excites you most about this moment at Gatton?
As we reflect on 100 years, there is tremendous momentum. Enrollment in real estate courses is growing, student organizations are thriving, and alumni and industry professionals are actively engaging with our students. The Center is designed to be a platform—connecting coursework, experiential learning, internships, and post-graduate opportunities in a way that prepares students for real careers.
Coming full circle as a Gatton alum and now faculty member has been incredibly rewarding. I benefited from this institution early in my career and am excited to help shape what comes next.
Alumni Connection
The Gatton Center for Real Estate is intentionally built as a bridge between students and the broader UK alumni and industry community.
Alumni who want to stay connected—whether through mentorship, guest speaking, applied project collaboration, or sharing internship and post-graduate opportunities—will find that the door is open. Learn more about the Center and engage.
