The Deal Ranch

#34 Ray Wrenn | Founder, The Wrenn Group

Ray Wrenn is the founder of The Wrenn Group, a real estate development company, based in Hanahan, SC. 
 
In 1999, Ray started acquiring and developing multi-family residential communities after a successful career in owning/operating waste management companies. 
 
Currently, The Wrenn Group is focused on the build-out and development of his vision for Bowen “A Waterfront Village” in Hanahan, South Carolina.  A mixed-use, master planned residential and commercial walkable community is on nearly one-half mile of deep waterfront as part of the Cooper River system. 
 
Connect with the Wrenn Group
https://www.thewrenngroup.com/
 
Connect with Matt & The Deal Ranch Podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrlutz/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deal-ranch/id1680084534
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1teAX6zRU76v4wFeGUHkoj?si=65e7be080e534f8b
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealRanchPodcast

#33 Vince Graham | President, I'ON Group

Vince Graham is the developer of the iconic I’ON community in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and founder of Loci development group.
 
Graham first founded the traditional walking neighborhood of Newpoint in 1991. Since that time he has participated in building several other neighborhoods: the Village of Port Royal, Broad Street, I'On, Morris Square, Hammonds Ferry, and Mixson in South Carolina; and East Beach in Virginia.
 
Topics
- Path to his first development & transaction
- Developing the Newpoint community in Beaufort, SC
- The beginning to end story of the iconic I'ON community in Mt. Pleasant, SC
- Political challenges on each project
- Vince's development philosophy for neighborhood design
 
Connect with Vince & I'ON
https://www.locisouth.com/
https://ioncommunity.com/
 
Connect with Matt & The Deal Ranch Podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrlutz/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deal-ranch/id1680084534
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1teAX6zRU76v4wFeGUHkoj?si=65e7be080e534f8b
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealRanchPodcast

#32 Neil Wilson | Principal, RealtyLink

Neil Wilson is a Founder & Principal of RealtyLink, a full-service real estate development company based in Greenville SC and founded in 1998.
 
Their team has developed over 600 projects across the country including grocery-anchored shopping centers, power retail centers, single tenant build-to-suit, multifamily, industrial, self-storage, and mixed-use properties.
 
Topics
Developing 15 Topgolf locations
Most challenging market cycles as a developer
Building the RealtyLink business
Evolution of capital raising from family & friends to $200M from BentallGreenOak
Importance of the company’s vertical integration
 
 
Connect with RealtyLink
https://realtylinkdev.com/
Connect with Matt & The Deal Ranch Podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrlutz/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deal-ranch/id1680084534
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1teAX6zRU76v4wFeGUHkoj?si=65e7be080e534f8b
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealRanchPodcast

#31 Dan Collins | Founding Partner, Collins & Fine Group

Dan Collins is a Founding Partner of Collins & Fine Group. C&F works with premier real estate developers in the southeast to develop and implement integrated sales, marketing, and community development programs.  
For 37 years Dan has directed innovative marketing, lead generation and lead tracking programs for many of the most prominent and successful luxury resort real estate developers in the world. 
Prior to Collins & Fine, Dan co-founded IMI Worldwide Properties in 1991, building a firm that has generated over $13 billion in closed luxury resort real estate sales at some of the most recognized real estate communities in North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
 
Topics:
how Dan and his brother Mike built IMI, a firm that generated over $13 billion in closed luxury resort real estate sales
custom sales & marketing plans for new developments from idea to implementation 
prioritization and impact of technology for sales and marketing plans
bringing developments to market amidst challenging credit cycles
hiring & source of top sales talent
 
Connect with Dan & Collins & Fine Group
https://collinsfine.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-collins-15089822/ 
 
Connect with Matt & The Deal Ranch Podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrlutz/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deal-ranch/id1680084534
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1teAX6zRU76v4wFeGUHkoj?si=65e7be080e534f8b
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealRanchPodcast

#30 Austin Schell | CEO, Port 32 Marinas

Austin Schell is the CEO of Port 32 Marinas. Port 32 is a leading owner, operator, developer, and acquirer of dry and wet slip coastal marina assets. PORT 32's current portfolio includes nine large and high-profile marinas located in Florida with a tenth under contract.   
Based in Charleston, South Carolina Port 32 is a private equity backed rollup that is vertically integrated with a heavy focus on development from light value add to ground up.  
 
Topics we covered:
Career in IB/C-Suite rolls at PE backed firms
Experiences in taking 4 companies to acquisition
Transition to Port 32
Overview of the Marina Industry
Breaking down Marina Operations: Revenue, Expenses, People, Tech
Current insurance impact on the Marina Industry
Port 32’s growth and focus
 
Connect with Austin & Port 32 Marinas
https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-schell-5a72a52/
https://port32marinas.com/
Connect with Matt & The Deal Ranch Podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrlutz/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deal-ranch/id1680084534
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1teAX6zRU76v4wFeGUHkoj?si=65e7be080e534f8b
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealRanchPodcast
 

#29 Russell Flicker | Co-Founder & Managing Partner, AWH Partners

Russell Flicker is a Co-Founder & Managing Partner of AWH Partners. 
AWH Partners is a national hotel real estate investment, management, and development platform that has built a portfolio in excess of $2B of hospitality investments since being founded in 2010. 
AWH is also the owner of Spire Hospitality, a top-tier, national hospitality management company.
 
Episode Topics & Stories: 
Russ highlights his early career from his interview with Donald Trump at The Trump Organization to his transition out of Blackstone to start AWH
Path to their first deal 
Acquisition of the management company which became Spire Hospitality
Growth strategy for the business
Recent focus on acquiring Condotel assets
His introduction to Bill Ackman as a capital partner
Purchasing a $40M mortgage on Auction.com
Connect with Russ & AWH Partners
https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-flicker-67821712/
https://www.awhpartners.com/ 
 
Connect with Matt & The Deal Ranch Podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrlutz/ 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deal-ranch/id1680084534 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1teAX6zRU76v4wFeGUHkoj?si=65e7be080e534f8b 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealRanchPodcast 

#28 Grey Raines | Managing Partner, Raines Company

Raines is a multifaceted hospitality organization whose portfolio includes 59 hotels, 4500 keys, and 2000 associates. 
Established in 1988 as a family-owned business, Raines has grown into a vertically integrated company involved in all aspects of hotel lifecycle. Their diverse portfolio showcases the world's top hotel brands, along with boutique and independent hotels.
Grey Raines, Managing Partner of Raines Company, joined The Deal Ranch Podcast to share the family story and recent expansion!
 
Topics:
Raines family origin story from roadside truck stops to the first hotel 
Path to their first Marriott property
Grey’s career evolution
Partnership with David Tart
Evaluating new markets for development & acquisition
The value of hotel brands and softbrands to the operator and consumer
Deal/Property Stories: HP Hotels, The Foundry, Waynesville Inn & Golf Club, & Hotel Florence
 
 
- This episode is presented by REEDS Jewelers
 
Connect with Grey & Raines Co. 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/grey-raines-ab73131a6/ 
https://www.rainesco.com/
 
Connect with Matt & The Deal Ranch Podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrlutz/ 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deal-ranch/id1680084534 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1teAX6zRU76v4wFeGUHkoj?si=65e7be080e534f8b 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealRanchPodcast 

#27 Landon Wyatt III | Founding Partner, Childress Klein

Childress Klein is one of the largest privately-owned real estate companies in the Southeast and has been the largest developer by square feet in Charlotte for the past 10 years.
Since 1988 they have developed nearly 60M square feet of commercial real estate and currently hold a portfolio of $3B+ in asset value. 
Landon Wyatt, Founding Partner of Childress Klein, joined The Deal Ranch podcast to tell their story from the beginning.
 
Topics:
- Leaving Trammell Crow in '88 to start Childress Klein
- CK hiring philosophy/process
- Process of identifying their portfolios exposure to homebuilding during 2008
- Evolution of Landon's role over time
- Landon's focal points on development/deal making
- Deal Stories: hand shake deal with IBM, Lowes Global Technology Center, and One Wells Fargo
 
This episode is presented by REEDS Jewelers
 
Connect with Landon & Childress Klein
https://www.linkedin.com/in/landon-wyatt-a34ab123/ 
https://www.childressklein.com/ 
 
Connect with Matt & The Deal Ranch Podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrlutz/ 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deal-ranch/id1680084534 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1teAX6zRU76v4wFeGUHkoj?si=65e7be080e534f8b
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealRanchPodcast 

#26 Vernon Knight | Founder, Knight Residential Group

Knight Residential Group, is a full-service residential construction company headquartered in Charlotte, NC. They specialize in luxury custom homes and have become a prestigious builder in both Charlotte and Kiawah Island.
Vernon Knight III, Founder, joins the podcast to share the story of KRG. 
 
A few topics we discussed:
- Journey from hiking Appalachian Trail to starting Knight Residential Group
- Expansion to building 130 custom homes on Kiawah Island
- Charlotte Market Tear Downs
- Full cycle of building luxury custom homes
- Challenges of building high-end residential 
 
 
This episode is presented by REEDS Jewelers
 
Connect with Knight Residential Group
https://www.krgbuilds.com/
 
Connect with Matt & The Deal Ranch Podcast
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrlutz/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deal-ranch/id1680084534 https://open.spotify.com/show/1teAX6zRU76v4wFeGUHkoj?si=65e7be080e534f8b
https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealRanchPodcast

#25 Matthew Brittain | CEO, Brittain Resorts & Hotels

Matthew Brittain is the CEO of Brittain Resorts and Hotels. Founded in 1943, BR&H is one of the leading full-service hospitality management companies in the Southeast.
With over 4,000 rooms, suites, and condos in the portfolio, the company currently operates 20+ hotels & resorts, and 40+ restaurants & bars within the United States.
 
Topics
- Origins of BR&H
- Expansion over the years, Golf Courses, and Early Developments
- Hotel Management vs Condotel Management
- BR&H Approach to Property Improvement Plans
- Competitive Advantages
- EOS Deal & New Developments
 
This episode is presented by REEDS Jewelers
 
Connect with Brittain Resorts & Hotels
https://www.brittainresorts.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brittain-resort-management/ 
 
Connect with Matt & The Deal Ranch Podcast
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewrlutz/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deal-ranch/id1680084534 https://open.spotify.com/show/1teAX6zRU76v4wFeGUHkoj?si=65e7be080e534f8b
https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealRanchPodcast