Teaching hungry professionals what we wish we knew early in our careers
About
We love commercial real estate, but it’s no secret that our industry has some structural issues. Our business is terrible when it comes to training (new and experienced professionals), and we are nowhere near where we should be when it comes to diversity and inclusion. …which is one of the main reasons why we started CRE Analyst. Talented and driven professionals aren’t getting the training that could unlock their value, but by helping them build skills and get connected to the right people, we are building a better industry one graduating class at a time.
OUR MISSION
To build a better CRE industry
The Team
James Ray
James Ray
James Ray is a senior commercial real estate executive with more than $5 billion of experience with acquisitions, developments and redevelopments, joint venture sourcing and structuring, asset management, mortgage portfolio management, and corporate M&A activity. James also has 10+ years of experience teaching real estate finance and investment courses (graduate and undergraduate) as a faculty member at New York University, the University of North Texas, and Southern Methodist University. He currently oversees acquisitions and development activity in Texas for a $100 billion institutional real estate investment manager.
Richard Byrd
Richard Byrd
Richard Byrd has 10+ years of real estate experience working across a variety of asset classes including residential communities, self-storage, multifamily, and retail. He has led investments in property and portfolio acquisitions as well as ground-up developments. These investments span more than 30 projects and $350 million in total capital. Richard recently founded Aspen Grove Realty, which focuses on residential developments in the sunbelt region. Prior to that Richard spent 8 years as a development partner with Provident Realty Advisors. Before transitioning into commercial real estate, Richard taught in Dallas ISD as a member of Teach for America. He received an MBA from Southern Methodist University and a BBA at the University of Alabama.
Courtesy of Fast Track alumni, hiring partners, and community partners, our scholarship program covers a portion of the total tuition. Funds are both merit- and need-based and are allocated in ways that support as many students as possible.
We employ a teaching team of more than 10 talented professionals for each FastTrack class. All teaching team members have been through FastTrack and have real estate experience. They participate because the class helps them sharpen their skills and gives them access to up-and-coming talent and mentors. If this sounds interesting to you, please email a statement of interest.
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