Real Finds Podcast

Developing Scalable Teams & Cultures in Real Estate With Kerri Davis – Real Finds Podcast #22

Host: Gordon Lamphere, Director of Sales and Leasing at Van Vlissingen and Co. Guest: Kerri Davis, Founder & CEO of Fortress

URL: https://youtu.be/ovDdlVeT5QI

Summary:

Welcome to “The Real Finds Podcast,” where we dive deep into the influential voices shaping the world of real estate. This episode features an exciting conversation with Kerri Davis, Founder & CEO of Fortress, an innovative software company revolutionizing property management. With her vast experience as the President of Elmington’s property management division, Kerri saw a need for a better PropTech platform and took the initiative to build one. Fortress now manages over 50,000 units and has gained investment from the renowned firm Walker & Dunlop.

Kerri’s journey in real estate is fascinating. With an accounting degree from the University of Central Arkansas and a Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University, she transitioned from academia to the dynamic streets of Baghdad, where she honed her skills as a business manager for a Department of State contractor. Eventually, she found her calling in commercial property management at Elmington and ascended to become a partner and owner.

In this captivating episode, Gordon and Kerri discuss her unique career journey and the challenges of scaling a team and developing a successful property management system. Kerri shares her perspective on holistic property management and explains how technology can empower even the least tech-savvy employees.

They also delve into the strategies behind adding value and reducing onsite payroll and weigh the pros and cons of decentralized versus centralized real estate assets. Kerri provides invaluable advice on developing scalable teams and cultivating a scalable culture within the real estate industry.

Don’t miss this enlightening conversation with one of the brightest minds in the field. Subscribe to “The Real Finds Podcast” with Gordon Lamphere and special guest Kerri Davis for insider knowledge and actionable takeaways that can transform your approach to real estate management.

The recommended book for this episode is:

“The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life’s Perfection”, available here.

Gordon Lamphere J.D.

Gordon Lamphere, J.D. is Vice President of Sales & Leasing at Van Vlissingen and Co., advising owners, investors, tenants, and corporate occupiers on industrial, office, retail, and land transactions across Chicagoland, Northern Illinois, and Southern Wisconsin. Ranked Chicagoland's #1 commercial real estate broker for 2026 by multiple industry publications, with transaction activity independently verified through Crexi, Gordon and his team close 100+ transactions annually. He hosts The Real Finds Podcast, Chicagoland's leading commercial real estate podcast, and holds a J.D. from Tulane University Law School.

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