Beyond the Skyline

Bentley Smith, a senior vice president at CBRE, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Smith discusses the Twin Cities industrial market in 2025 and where he thinks it’s headline in 2026.

Delma Palma, principal and market leader for housing and private development at LSE Architects, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Palma talks about her background in urban design and architecture, affordable housing challenges and other topics.

Minneapolis Fed researchers Libby Starling, a senior community development adviser, and Ben Horowitz, a senior policy analyst, talk to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Starling and Horowitz discuss the work from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ community development team on housing and commercial real estate.

Jason Rentmeester, construction executive at Kraus-Anderson, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Rentmeester oversees the busy K-12 Education Group at Kraus-Anderson. He talks about his experience working on school projects and the outlook for K-12 construction in 2026.

Aaron Barnard, a senior director at Cushman & Wakefield and president-elect of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Barnard talks about his leadership with SIOR, his work at C&W and how the two connect.

Jamie Verbrugge, president and CEO of Catholic Charities Twin Cities talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Verbrugge talks about Catholic Charities Twin Cities’ mission, his prior experience as city manager in Bloomington and the challenge of creating affordable housing.

Tony Ferraro, managing director for Bridgewater Bank’s commercial banking team, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Ferraro talks about how Bridgewater’s C&I team finds clients, as well as what makes for a good loan.

New Founders Properties President Kim Hofstede talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Hofstede discusses her career journey, her new job duties, and challenges and opportunities in the local industrial market.

Jeff Jiovanazzo, managing director and market leader for CBRE Minneapolis, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Jiovanazzo discusses his role in the CBRE office, his leadership style and how the retail and office markets are doing.

Barb Lau, the executive director of the Association of Women Contractors, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Lau takes a deep dive into the changing landscape of the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, which was established in part to ensure “nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts.”

Erik Hansen, the director of the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development for the city of Minneapolis, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Hansen talks about the Way Home report as well as what the city is looking to do to encourage development.

Meredith Hayes Gordon, HGA’s Science + Technology Market Sector leader, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Hayes Gordon talks about her role in the Science + Technology Market Sector, the outlook for the science and technology sector, and what inspired her to become an architect.

Tom O’Brien, vice chair at Colliers in Minneapolis, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. O’Brien discusses why he made the switch to Colliers, the transition so far and the state of Normandale Lake.

Bret Weiss, president and CEO of WSB, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Weiss talks about the company’s growth, the outlook for infrastructure projects in the Twin Cities and beyond, and other topics.

CommonBond Communities CEO Deidre Schmidt talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Schmidt discusses the nonprofit’s decision to sell several properties and the move to a mix of in-house property management and contracted management.

Jesse Neumann, owner and president of operations of Designing Earth Contracting, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Neumann talks about the decision to get into residential development and the status of the new Elwell Farms development.

Evan Doran, president and CEO of Doran Group, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Doran talks about the Olinia active adult housing brand, where the company goes next, and how his leadership style differs from the firm’s previous CEO, the late Kelly Doran.

Melissa Meschke, executive director of St. Croix EDC, and Susan Badke, senior planner/deputy director of the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, talk to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Meschke and Badke break down the results of a recent St. Croix County housing study, crunch some of the numbers, and talk about opportunities and challenges in the St. Croix County housing market.

Joe Boone and Jim Hegedus of Water Street Partners talk to F&C reporter Dan Netter. They talk about their collaboration, the strategic partnership with Oppidan and what the future holds for Water Street.

Connor McCarthy, senior vice president of commercial development at United Properties, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. McCarthy talks about his expanded role with United Properties and the current state of the Twin Cities industrial market, among other topics.

Jill Hutmacher, community development director for the city of Eagan, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Hutmacher talks about her work with the city and its multiple redevelopment sites.

Nick Ingolfsland, chief technology officer at Ulteig, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Ingolfsland talks about how AI and automation are changing the way projects are delivered, the growing importance of cybersecurity, and the future of work in the architecture, engineering and construction industry.

Jim Vos, senior managing director of Savills’ Minneapolis office, talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Vos, who is also a member of the Minneapolis Downtown Council Board of Directors, talks about the transition to Savills, the importance of downtown and how volunteering impacts his work.

Scott Shifflett, vice president of construction at Opus, and George Parrino, construction project executive at Opus, talk to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Shifflett and Parrino discuss the company’s role in building the new state-of-the-art aquatic center for St. Thomas Academy and Visitation school, project challenges, and other focus areas for Opus.

Katie Trevena, a senior vice president for real estate advisory at Forte Real Estate Partners talks to F&C reporter Dan Netter. Trevena talks about the office and health care leasing market and about her work as a Chanhassen planning commissioner.