INSIGHTS FROM COLLIERS BROKERS-IN-TRAINING

At Colliers | Columbus, the Brokers in Training (BITs) program cultivates the next generation of commercial real estate professionals through hands-on mentorship and targeted education across multiple brokerage service lines. To explore how the program supports growth both professionally and personally, the research team spoke with four rising brokerage professionals: Kendall Jameson - Office Services Group, Nash Linder - Industrial Services Group, Zach Zechman - Retail Capital Markets and Mack Schlembach - Multifamily Capital Markets.

How have you used technology to improve your learning and development?

Technology has been an essential component in driving learning and increasing efficiency. Nash emphasized that “information is everything in this job,” noting that consistent use of CRM systems and CoStar has deepened his understanding of market availability and comps, while AI supports his day-to-day work and client preparation. Kendall shared that technology has helped “shorten the learning curve,” pointing to market databases, mapping tools and AI allowing for faster deal analysis and a greater emphasis on strategy.

Zach stated that AI has assisted him in making brokerage activities more efficient by automating research and preparing pitch books, which enables him to spend more time with clients. Mack echoed this perspective, stating that underwriting models, Excel, Yardi Matrix and AI enable him to analyze deals faster and focus on strategy.

What drove you to choose your sector of interest?

Each broker was drawn to their respective market for different reasons, but all shared a common interest in the blend of analytical fascination and practical application. Nash shared that his interest in industrial brokerage was inspired by watching his father’s success in the field, ultimately motivating him to follow in his footsteps. Kendall was attracted to office brokerage because it “sits at the nexus of real estate, business strategy and long-term planning,” where the impact of decisions has a direct effect on the operation and growth of businesses. Zach’s interest in retail was sparked by the place where “consumer psychology meets real estate fundamentals,” which is driven by consumer behavior and interaction with brands and spaces. Mack was attracted to multifamily investment sales because it offered him a chance to engage with capital markets, create value and understand long-term trends, which made it both an analytical and strategic pursuit.

How important has mentorship been in your journey?

Mentorship was a theme that was evident throughout all the interviews. Nash spoke of entering the brokerage world as “learning how to walk again,” and he leaned very heavily on the use of mentors to learn not only the industrial process but also how to outperform others. Kendall spoke of the importance of learning how experienced brokers think, saying that “understanding why deals are structured a certain way” has helped her build confidence and develop at a faster rate. Zach discussed how having experienced advisors helped him navigate the day-to-day challenges that extend well beyond the classroom. Mack credited the team-oriented culture at Colliers, where senior brokers share their knowledge freely, as an important part of expanding his horizons and developing at a faster rate.

What are your expectations for your industry?

The outlook for the various sectors of the Columbus Market remains positive. Nash stated that institutional funds have always regarded Columbus as a desirable and relatively stable industrial market, thanks to low construction volumes, declining vacancies and growing activity related to projects such as Intel and Anduril. Kendall expects office space to continue to polarize, with high-quality and well-located properties leading the way, but remains positive about the long-term future as employers place a high premium on face-to-face collaboration. Zach reported that retail fundamentals remain strong, with limited supply, positive net absorption and selective growth by credit tenants driving growing activity heading into 2026. Mack added that improving capital markets attitudes and strong institutional demand, coupled with job growth and the Zone In Columbus initiative, are driving positive momentum in multifamily investment sales.