Mike Geisler is the Founding Principal and Managing Partner at Venture Commercial Real Estate. He has been in the commercial real estate for almost 40 years and founded Venture in 2000. He has been a member of The Real Estate Council since 2004 and has served on the TREC Board of Directors, TREC PAC, Dallas Catalyst Committee, and more. He was the 2023 TREC Community Investors Chair and has overseen the Dallas Catalyst Project: Forest District for the past five years. He is the 2024 TREC Chair.
How has being a member of TREC shaped your career and understanding of the industry?
I’ve seen that you can truly affect things on a larger scale as a TREC member, whether that’s through PAC or building a relationship with officials at the city level. TREC has amazing, strong relationships there, and those relationships help us get stuff done in a timely manner. You can really see what you’re getting done.
What is your favorite place in Dallas?
I would say that I have two favorite places. I think the Arboretum is one of the most special places we have in Dallas. Going there never gets old. And then, as someone in the retail real estate business, my favorite retail environment is Bishop Arts. It’s such a wonderful experience.
Why is TREC an important part of the commercial real estate industry in Dallas?
I really think TREC makes Dallas better. TREC would not have that effect if it weren’t for the people that choose to be a part of TREC. The folks that established The Real Estate Council were the best in class in their fields, they were incredible developers and experts in their fields, and they started this thing with a vision, asking “how we can make a difference?”
The quality of the membership of The Real Estate Council is extraordinary. Young people are drawn to it because of the difference they see they can make. Some of our best city leaders, such as developers and company owners, are members of TREC. The real estate culture we have in Dallas is very collaborative. We tend to work together and help each other get stuff done. It’s a very unique aspect of our culture that I haven’t seen exist in any other metropolitan area.
What are some of your goals for TREC this year?
I want to get off to a running start with Dallas Catalyst Project: Mill City. I’d like to build more momentum with TREC Community Investors, through placing more loans and growing our capacity to lend. And I’d like to find out how we can work with the City of Dallas to improve plan reviews and permitting. I’m excited that we get to start a new chapter in the Dallas Catalyst Project. I think Mill City is going to be a great partner. I’m hoping that we can bring the same momentum that we brought to the Forest District, and these two areas can be barbells that can help turn over everything that’s between those two neighborhoods.
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