Real Estate and Banking in 2025: Economic Outlook

A panel and professional gathering of family offices, regional lenders, and commercial brokers

Registrants represent the following firms:

Goldman Sachs
King Ranch, Inc.
PlainsCapital Bank
Third Coast Bank
Cadence Bank
CapTex Bank
Simmons Bank
Frost Bank
Pinnacle Bank
Regions Bank
Vista Bank
First Financial Bank
Texas Regional Bank
CrossFirst Bank
Guaranty Bank & Trust
IQonic Capital
SOVRN Capital
Clotine Capital
Millbank Capital
Old Capital
Trumont Group
Capital Title
City of Fort Worth
Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.
Rotary Club of Fort Worth
The Business Press
Eagle Venture Lab
Fidelity Investments

Higginbotham
Profit Inc
Bracket & Ellis, P.C.
Cantey Hanger LLP
Hajjar Peters LLP
Harris Cook LLP
Cotten Schmidt LLP
Themis Legal Group, PLLC
Patel Law Group
Law Offices of M Amber Barger
Whitaker Chalk
Emerald Consulting Partners
ZT Corporate
SVN Dunn Commercial
Special Forces Association
Generational Group (M&A Advisory)
Juniper Advisory
Champion Commercial Insurance
TCU Neeley School of Business
Ocean Drive Holdings, LLC
Default Value
Westmoreland Builders
Texas Homebuyer Guides
BlackRaven Advisors
Worth Commercial
Karma Mortgage
Swingle Collins
BMO

NewPad Building Company
King Operating Corporation
Holt Lunsford Commercial
LanCarte Commercial
KW Commercial
Kuper Sotheby's International Realty
Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty
Society of Commercial Realtors
Keller Williams Realty
Monument Realty
eXp Realty
Legacy Commercial Realty
Martin Realty Group
Esperanza Property Management
Alternative Wealth Partners
Texas Secured Notes
Blue Hawk Construction
Black Tie Real Estate
Eagle Strategies LLC
Lisa Cobb, ExecHQ
The Plexus Groupe
Glenda Ward Realty
Perla Realty Group
Crux Solutions
Yeti Homes LLC
Closinglock
Tuttle Equity
LA Airsoft

Featured Panelists

Shane Smith

Director of Research

Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.

Shane Benner

Adjunct Professor at the TCU Neeley School of Business & First VP of Investment Sales at Bradford Commercial Real Estate

Michael Hennig

Economic Development Manager

City of Fort Worth

Shane Smith is a seasoned economist and research professional with extensive experience in both academic and applied economic research. He currently serves as the Director of Research at Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (DFWI), where he leads data-driven initiatives to support urban development and community insights.

Shane has also taught economics as an adjunct professor at Dallas County Community College, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of economists. His research background includes a role as a research analyst at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he contributed to key projects in public policy and economic analysis.

Shane holds a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Texas at Dallas and is certified as a Geographic Information Services Professional (GIS).

He can be reached at: shane@dfwi.org

Shane serves as First Vice President, Investment Sales at Bradford Commercial Real Estate Services and a Faculty Member at Texas Christian University's M.J. Neeley School of Business, where he teaches Real Estate Principles (FINA 30313) and informs the next generation of real estate professionals.

Shane Benner specializes in commercial real estate investment sales focused on cash-flow and revenue-generating properties, including industrial, office, and retail assets.

Shane holds a BBA in Finance and Accounting from TCU's Neeley School and an MBA from the Texas McCombs School of Business. His career spans leadership roles in investment sales, tenant representation, and entrepreneurial ventures, including co-founding a consulting and technology firm.

Shane has held various leadership roles with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County and contributed to organizations like the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth.

He can be reached at: shane@shanebenner.com

Michael Hennig is recognized regionally and nationally as a leader in economic development. For nearly two decades, he has supported major projects and policy initiatives in the public and private sector in markets across North America and abroad. He currently serves as Economic Development Manager for the City of Fort Worth, leading innovative initiatives that enhance regional growth through public-private partnerships, infrastructure investments, and sustainable economic strategies. Michael also leads the City's business attraction and strategic real estate projects team in partnership with other community organizations.

Previously, Michael held leadership roles as Director of Community and Economic Development for the Capital Area Council of Governments, where he oversaw regional economic development projects and advanced impactful policy initiatives in the Austin region. His private sector experience includes serving as President of Economic Development at AngelouEconomics, where he provided strategic consulting to businesses and public entities on economic growth strategies.

Michael holds a BBA in Entrepreneurship from the TCU Neeley School of Business, an MPA in Economic Development from the University of Texas at Arlington, and has completed advanced doctoral research in Public Policy and Administration with a focus on private equity and economic development. He is also a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) with expertise in urbanism, sustainable growth policy, and the intersection of finance and regional economics.

He can be reached at: michael.hennig@fortworthtexas.gov