Pearlstone Partners named Bill Knauss CEO as co-founders Robert Lee and Emily Lee are set to retire. Robert has been CEO since the Austin-based development firm’s founding in 2018, and Emily was a principal who oversaw real estate sales. Knauss was a founding partner.
The firm has several Austin condominium projects in development. The Belvedere, consisting of 248 units at 300 Pressler Street, is expected to start construction this quarter, according to the firm’s website. Its 62 East development is a 215-unit condominium building in the Rainey Street District, which is expected to start construction next year. And its 14th & Lavaca project, slated for 140 condo units, could start construction at the end of this year.
Jackson-Shaw, a national developer based in Farmers Branch, a suburb north of Dallas, promoted former Vice President of Industrial Development Grant Pearson to chief development officer in Houston; Pearson established the company’s office there in 2018.
Jackson-Shaw also promoted Reid Watler to vice president of development in Houston from development manager, and former Development Director Ryan Beadle to vice president of development in Charlotte.
MetroNational, the Houston-based real estate investment company behind the 300-acre Memorial City mixed-use development anchor of Houston’s Memorial District, promoted its chief investment officer Scooter Hicks to president. Hicks, who joined MetroNational in 2013 as a leasing associate, took over from Jason Johnson, who will continue as CEO after 12 years as president and CEO.
Meanwhile, yearly appointments in Texas’ leading Realtor associations are settling into their positions.
The MetroTex Association of Realtors, for the Dallas and North Texas area, elected president Johnny Mowad, a broker with Ebby Halliday who previously served on MetroTex’s board of directors and as president of North Texas Real Estate Information Systems.
The Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors named Paul Epperley as board president, an agent with Century 21 Judge Fite since 2018.
The Houston Association of Realtors swore in LPT Realty Regional Director Shae Cottar as board chair.
Brandy Wuensch, founder and broker-owner of City View Realty, became the 2025 Austin Board of Realtors president.
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