The hard work and dedication of our members forms the bedrock of The Real Estate Council’s efforts to catalyze community investment in Dallas, influence public policy, propel careers, and develop the leaders of tomorrow.
Each month, we are spotlighting TREC members who have made significant contributions to our community investment initiatives and continue to push the limits of what our organization and its partners can accomplish for our city.
This month, we are proud to recognize Jordan Snyder of Gardner Capital and Lisa Casey of Studio Outside!
Jordan Snyder, Gardner Capital
Please describe the TREC Community Investors project you are presently working on and any responsibilities you have:
Currently, as a member of the TREC Community Investors Loan Committee, I assist with reviewing new loan requests/loan modifications and contributing feedback on loan opportunities. Recently, I provided feedback/suggestions that aided TREC Community Investors staff in the revision and update of the TREC Community Investors Loan Manual. Also, recently thru Gardner Capital, I donated six standing desks of varying height to St. Phillips School & Community Center through coordination with TREC Community Investors.
Please detail any other Community Investors projects within the last five years and your role(s).
During my time in the Associate Leadership Council (ALC) Class of 2020, I helped redevelop 800 square feet of vacant space in South Dallas into Southpoint Community Market. That project started with my team requesting $70,000 from TREC Community Investors and ended with filling a much-needed void in the community – i.e. easy access to fresh food and produce and household items at fair prices.
Besides assisting the finance team with the project, I thoroughly enjoyed the workdays – whether that was clearing building and site debris, building shelving, or helping put the final touches on the market. Furthermore, along with my 2022 Loan Committee members, I voted to approve a $390,000 loan that will complete the development of ALC Class of 2021’s project, a community kitchen located in the same commercial building as Southpoint Community Market.
Please list any other TREC programs you’ve participated in (leadership development programs, TREC PAC/Public Policy Committee, boards you’ve served/roles, etc.).
TREC Mentorship Program (2019 and 2021); Young Guns Casino Night – Raffle Prize Subcommittee (2019); FightNight XXXI – Raffle Prize Subcommittee (2019); FightNight – Event Volunteer (2018 and 2019); Giving Gala – Wine Pull Committee (2019); TREC Community Investors Board of Directors – ALC Class Representative (2021); TREC Community Investors Loan Committee (2021 & 2022).
How did you begin volunteering with TREC Community Investors? What has the experience been like?
I was nominated by my ALC Class of 2020 (a.k.a. the Best Class Ever; a.k.a. the COVID Class) to be the ALC Representative on the 2021 TREC Community Investors Board. Eventually, I volunteered to join TREC Committee Investors’ Loan Committee in 2021. At the start of 2022, the board asked me to participate on the Loan Committee again. My experience serving on the board and Loan Committee has been very rewarding as I’ve been able to pull on my previous experience from Bank OZK while now starting to look at projects from an affordable housing and equitable development perspective. It’s been an amazing opportunity to not only provide capital toward neighborhood revitalization, but also to ensure the interests of TREC Community Investors are protected. I look forward to what TREC Community Investors has in store for the future!
Lisa Casey, Studio Outside
Please describe the TREC Community Investors project you are presently working on and any responsibilities you have.
The Cornerstone housing project has been a great opportunity to provide landscape architectural support for a project that adds value to the community and to Cornerstone’s mission. The tree preservation and landscape requirements in Article X for the City of Dallas create some unique complexities for projects of this scale and it has been meaningful to bring an in-depth perspective to help the team move the project forward.
Please list any other TREC programs you’ve participated in (leadership development programs, TREC PAC/Public Policy Committee, boards you’ve served/roles, etc.).
TREC Public Policy Committee; Public Policy 101 Subchair
How did you begin volunteering with TREC Community Investors? What has the experience been like?
A previous co-worker was involved and when he moved out of state, he knew that I was both in TREC and interested in this type of work. He provided the connection to the team. It has been inspiring to work with other like-minded individuals on the team with each contributing their different expertise for a meaningful cause.