THP 30: Derek Mathis

Program: Real Estate
Current Position: Director of Industrial Development, WestRock
Hometown: Charleston, SC
LinkedIn: Derek Mathis

Describe an interesting trend you see emerging in your profession and how you think it will affect the field:

In CRE, as in many other industries, I believe technology is rapidly changing the dynamics of how we conduct business. For example, the internet and various websites now provide real estate buyers/sellers/investors with a significant amount of data with which to evaluate potential opportunities on a global scale. In the past, one would have had to rely on brokers to perform this task. I believe similar advances in technology will continue to effect change in the world of CRE and likely in ways that we have not yet considered.

What do you like to do in your free time?

"Free time" is a rarity these days but when the opportunity presents itself, I love to spend time with my family on the water. We all like to sail, fish, wakeboard, surf, and paddleboard. I also play guitar and sing in an "outlaw" country music band.