The Deal Ranch

#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

#24 Roman Pedan | Founder & CEO, Kasa Living

Roman Pedan is the Founder and CEO of Kasa Living. Kasa is a global accommodations brand which provides an exceptional stay for guests while improving profitability for it’s property partners.
Kasa operates in multifamily, hotels, and investor owned single family homes across the country. They are in 75+ properties nationwide and trusted by some of the largest real estate owners in the world.  
Topics Discussed:
Starting Bookly at Wharton
Pre Kasa career: Citi, Walton Street Capital, KKR, Stanford MBA
Origins of Kasa & first deal story
Overview of their 3 asset classes
Onboarding new properties
Opportunities/challenges in recent years
Significant hotel deal closing soon
 
- This episode is presented by REEDS Jewelers
 
Connect with Roman & Kasa
https://kasa.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-pedan/
 
 
Connect 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

#23 David Becker | Sr. Managing Director, Time Equities

*VIDEO EPISODE ON YOUTUBE
David Becker is the Head of Equity Strategy and Senior Managing Director of Time Equities. Time Equities, is a global real estate investment firm with a portfolio asset value of $6+ Billion. TE has also developed two of the most iconic properties in the US major city skylines: 1000M (Chicago) & 50 West (NYC).
 
On this episode we discussed:
David’s career progression from Tulane to Time Equities
The origins of Time Equities and the guiding principles of the firm laid by Francis Greenburger their founder
TEI’s 1031 Platform
The introduction and growth of their Diversified Income and Opportunity Funds
The Development of 50 West (NYC) and 1000M (Chicago)
Expansion into international markets
TEI’s recent focus on Renewable Energy
 
- This episode is presented by REEDS Jewelers
 
Connect with David & Time Equities
https://timeequities.com/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-becker-5777576/ 
https://1000mchicago.com/ 
 
Connect 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 
 

#22 Chris Acito | CEO, Gapstow Capital Partners

Chris Acito is the CEO of Gapstow Capital Partners. Founded in 2009, Gapstow is based in New York City. Gapstow Capital Partners is a Registered Investment Advisor with an exclusive focus in the alternative credit market. 
They have constructed a series of nearly 30 indices that reflect the performance of various alternative credit investing strategies across three types of investment vehicles:
Publicly Traded Alternative Credit Vehicles
Alternative Credit Interval Funds
Alternative Credit Hedge Funds
Recently the team has constructed the Gapstow Real Estate Income index (GREI) which is tracked by AXS Real Estate Income ETF (RINC), composed of 50% commercial, 25% agency residential, and 25% non-agency residential mREITs (Mortgage REITs).
* this podcast was recorded 01.24.2024
 
This episode of The Deal Ranch Podcast is presented by REEDS Jewelers
Connect w/ Chris Acito & Gapstow Capital Partners
https://www.gapstow.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-acito-44414a9/ 
Gapstow Real Estate Income index
https://merqube.com/index/GREIRE-Agency 
 
Connect w/ 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    
https://www.youtube.com/@TheDealRanchPodcast 
 

#21 Grey Vick | Owner, Grey Outdoor Billboards

Grey Vick is the Founder & CEO of Grey Outdoor. Grey Outdoor is an Outdoor Advertising company based in Wilmington, NC that owns and operates 700+ Billboard faces throughout North and South Carolina. 
The majority of their business consists of a premier collection of static and digital assets east of I-95.
Grey shares his business journey from starting as an accountant to flipping houses then building one of the most reputable Outdoor Advertising businesses in the Carolinas.
 
This episode of The Deal Ranch Podcast is presented by REEDS Jewelers
 
Connect w/ Grey Vick & Grey Outdoor:
https://www.greyoutdoor.com/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/grey-vick-21051130/ 
 
Connect w/ 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