Associate Spotlight: Jamie Gerber – Finding His Place in Real Estate

From the North Shore of Chicago to Arizona’s booming development market, Jamie Gerber’s path into commercial real estate has been anything but direct. Though he was interested in the industry from a young age, thanks in part to his grandfather, a real estate attorney, and childhood memories of family architecture tours along the Chicago River, he started his college years at Washington University in St. Louis on the pre-med track.

Pre-med gave way to business school, where Jamie majored in entrepreneurship and minored in the business of sports with a dream of performing analytics for an NBA team. His internships with real estate companies, though, renewed his childhood attraction to the industry – much to his grandfather’s delight. After a short stint at a Chicago startup, Jamie spent several years working in acquisitions and portfolio management at a national real estate investment firm.

Making a Move

Three years into his new career and in the middle of the pandemic, Jamie decided to pursue his master’s degree in real estate development at Arizona State University (ASU).

“I realized that development offered me the opportunity to be entrepreneurial and innovative and to really apply the skills I’d gained in college and early in my career,” said Jamie. “I chose Arizona for its strong real estate market and economic fundamentals, and, honestly, I was ready to trade Midwest winters for life in the Southwest.”

The move proved fortuitous. We had just reentered the Phoenix market and were looking to grow. As luck would have it, one of Jamie’s ASU professors happened to work for us. Introductions were made, and just days after graduating in June 2021, Jamie joined our Phoenix office.

A Career Built on Curiosity

Leveraging his experience and strong problem-solving skills, Jamie brought value to his new development role immediately and has proven himself time and time again.

During his first four years, he developed more than 700 apartment units and almost 500,000 square feet of industrial space. He successfully secured and implemented Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET) incentives on his development projects, adding nearly $20 million in value. And through land-pricing analysis and broker relationships, Jamie identified Casa Grande, AZ, as a prime location for speculative and build-to-suit industrial development. We delivered our first project there in 2023, selling it in 2025.

The daily variety and fast pace keep Jamie energized and engaged, whether he’s balancing stakeholder needs, collaborating with city partners or leading teams on high-profile developments. And his inquisitive nature gives him an edge when discussions get complex and timelines stretch years in the future.

“I’ve always been curious, and that curiosity helps me see opportunities and solutions from different angles,” he explained.

Connecting to the Arts

Of the projects he’s worked on, Jamie is especially proud of Ari on Fourth in Tucson, AZ, a 13-story multifamily tower near the University of Arizona. The project came with challenges – from zero-lot lines to entitlement stipulations, but delivering it on time was a career-defining milestone. Melody on Main in Mesa, AZ, was another highlight, not only for its location in Mesa’s Arts District but also because Jamie helped name it.

“With Melody on Main, we were able to lean into the neighborhood’s history and cultural fabric while helping shape the identity of a space where people now live and work. Once Melody was finished, I felt like I had ‘arrived,’” he said.

Jamie’s professional work often mirrors his personal passions, particularly his lifelong appreciation for the arts. Though he’s quick to note that he’s not an artist himself, his mom is an avid collector, and her art collection filled his childhood home. His high school years at Highland Park High School, a top ranked public school known for being at the forefront of arts-in-education, further shaped that interest. And his extensive international travel with family deepened his love for the intersection of art, history and culture. Today, wanting to improve public access to arts programming, Jamie serves on the Mesa Arts Center Board of Directors.

Developing a Better Future

Looking ahead, Jamie dreams of projects that push the boundaries of traditional development – concepts like vertical farming in arid regions, automated warehousing or transformative communities that redefine downtown living. For him, success isn’t just measured in completed buildings, but in creating spaces that serve communities today and for generations to come.

“Part of what I enjoy most about my work is the opportunity to think not just creatively but innovatively – to leverage my knowledge of entrepreneurship and development and my understanding of their parallels to deliver something that didn’t exist before,” said Jamie. “It all begins with a thesis, a business plan and the belief that you can create something valuable from the ground up.”

That mindset fuels a career defined not just by what gets built, but by ideas turned into lasting places with purpose.

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Our associates are talented, dedicated and knowledgeable. They streamline complex projects and always deliver value to clients. Read more associate spotlights.