Meet Thomas Pfeifer, Market Analyst and new HLC team member!
Thomas Pfeifer joined Holt Lunsford Commercial in 2021 and serves as a Market Analyst in the Houston Industrial Group. In his role, he is responsible for assisting in project leasing assignments, market research, as well as marketing and business development efforts for the Industrial team and other HLC clients. Thomas is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he received a B.A. in History and Economics with a minor in Business.
Thomas was born in New York, but his family has lived in Houston since he was in kindergarten. He grew up in the Galleria area and went to Strake Jesuit for high school. He has two siblings, a younger brother and sister who are both attending SMU in Dallas. Thomas has had many opportunities to travel with his family and has visited many places, but he has always liked the appeal of Houston because of its business-centric atmosphere. He wanted to move back to Houston after college because he likes the Texas culture and warm weather. Houston was the perfect place.
What brought you to HLC?
I knew I wanted to do commercial real estate. I was researching different firms and when I found HLC it seemed like the company had the right values, culture, and people I wanted to be around. Holt was in touch with my dad because they do business together. Holt asked my dad if he knew anyone in the Houston area that might want a job at HLC. My dad mentioned me and from there I got in touch with Craig Bean and Brandon Avedikian. I interviewed a week later and started the job a week after that. It all happened very quickly.
How do you hope to grow at HLC?
Learn more about the specific Houston Industrial market and commercial real estate needs for prospective tenants, clients, and landlords to provide a better market knowledge for myself and the people I’m trying to help.
What about your role at HLC excites or interests you the most?
Probably getting out and meeting prospective tenants. I love learning. When you’re out there meeting people and learning what their needs are, about their businesses, different properties, and submarkets, you’re learning a ton of information. I love the idea of having that opportunity and being able to get out there and help them.
How do you think your education has prepared you for a career in real estate?
An education in history and economics has given me a broad knowledge of the world. With economics it’s more geared toward business trends going on in an area. I like history and learning things. I know a lot of random facts about history and different places around the world. My business minor probably has prepared me the most for real estate. Just getting into the job at HLC, I was able to adjust some of the formulas used in our excel sheets to make processes more efficient. The guys were very happy with that!
Which HLC value resonates the most with you and why?
We Put Others First – Golden Rule. You have to treat people the right way so they will treat you the right way. The whole world operates on mutual benevolence.
What three words would you use to describe the HLC Culture?
Energetic, fun, camaraderie.
Who or what inspires you the most in life?
My friends and family. I’m the person that’s always willing to help people and be there for them. That’s what it’s all about right there. I’m a very externally motivated person. Getting a great job, having the resources to help people, being in the right place at the right time, if someone on my team needs help with something, I’m going to do what I can to help people.
What are three interesting things about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume?
I’m a lefty – every time I write with pencil or ink it smears everywhere; I like current events – I’m always reading about things going on in the world; and I like to go sailing in Galveston.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Hanging out with friends and family. I like watching the Astros. I like going to the beach and doing water sports.
What would you invent if you could?
A machine that would fold clothes or a sock sorter.
Where is the furthest you’ve traveled?
Israel on a week-long pilgrimage trip with my family.
Where is your favorite place that you’ve traveled?
Budapest, Hungary. Everyone was really friendly, and it was cool to hear their stories. A lot of the older people had lived under the Iron Curtain. It was a really nice place also.
What is your favorite quote?
“Nature has planted in our minds an insatiable longing to see the truth.” – Cicero
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint chocolate chip.
What is something you could teach me to do in the next five minutes?
Wakeboarding, as long as you’re fairly athletic.
What superpower would you like to have?
Telekinesis, the ability to move things with my mind.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you?
A survival knife, a fire starter, a fishing net.
If you could steal credit for any great piece of art, song, film, or book, which one would you claim?
The fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
What was the last gift you gave someone and what was it for?
I took my sister out to lunch at Barnaby’s Café for her birthday.
What’s the last thing you watched on TV and why did you choose to watch it?
Last night my brother and I watched the season finale of the show “Loki.”
Last meal?
A new York strip with a baked potato and mac and cheese. For dessert, a big piece of chocolate cake.
Welcome to HLC Thomas, we are glad you are here!
