For Ryan Schultz (\u201999, BBA), nearly three decades in commercial real estate have reinforced a simple principle: lasting success is built one thoughtful decision and one trusted relationship at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Schultz, Executive Chairman of Fiduciary Real Estate Development (FRED), has experienced that lesson from many vantage points, including development, investment, entrepreneurship and executive leadership. Along the way, his responsibilities have evolved as dramatically as the company he helps lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He co-founded HSI Properties as the economy headed into recession, viewing the difficult environment as an opportunity rather than a deterrent. An initial industrial development provided breathing room to pursue future projects selectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat cushion afforded us the time to make well thought out, disciplined decisions as to which projects to pursue,\u201d Schultz said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By 2018, HSI\u2019s portfolio had grown beyond 1,000 residential units. Its merger with FRED provided the infrastructure and financial capacity for another stage of growth. Since then, Schultz said that FRED has tripled in units under ownership to 10,000+ valued at more than $2.5B. His own focus has shifted from project management toward risk management, corporate governance and investor relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That evolution reflects a lesson Schultz learned as an entrepreneur: leaders need to understand where they create the greatest value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI realized the highest return on my time was identifying new opportunities and building investor relationships,\u201d he said. \u201cI then surrounded myself with competent, hardworking partners and employees who helped pull it all together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Relationships have been equally central to Schultz\u2019s career. \u201cYour reputation is everything and people have very good memories,\u201d he said. \u201cIt takes a lot of time to cultivate a relationship, and one bad decision to lose it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His Lubar College experience helped establish those connections early. Schultz remembers learning not only from faculty, but also from Milwaukee-area executives and entrepreneurs brought into the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI found value in the Lubar College of Business\u2019 connection and access to the greater Milwaukee business community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, Schultz remains committed to the region where he grew up, studied and built his career. His advice to students reflects his own trajectory: \u201cPursue the career you desire, don\u2019t just settle for a job that pays the bills. Take risk early and reach out to leaders and mentors in your field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Schultz, that long view remains a guide for both business and leadership: \u201cManage to your downside, under promise and over perform, do the right thing, and good things will happen.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For Ryan Schultz (\u201999, BBA), nearly three decades in commercial real estate have reinforced a simple principle: lasting success is built one thoughtful decision and one trusted relationship at a time. Schultz, Executive Chairman of Fiduciary Real Estate Development (FRED), …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3012,"featured_media":21412,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"categories":[39,22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-spotlight"],"uwm_unpublish_requested":false,"yoast_head":"\n