Building Strategic Partnerships in CRE: A Conversation with Andrea Heist

In this episode of The Industrialist, Jeremy Mercer sits down with Andrea Heist, Business Development Manager at Fort, to explore her impressive journey in the commercial real estate industry. Andrea started as an intern and quickly advanced to Assistant Property Manager, Property Manager, and then Operations Coordinator at Fort. In July of 2024, she took on the role of Business Development Manager, where she now drives growth initiatives and builds strategic partnerships for Fort. Andrea shares how her passion for operations shaped her career and how her expertise in property budgeting has helped the company’s finance team forecast portfolio assets. Her story is a testament to being a team player, offering support wherever needed, and continuously seeking opportunities to learn and grow in the CRE industry. A graduate of Texas Christian University with a degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Andrea brings a fresh perspective to the industry. Raised in El Paso, Texas, and fluent in Spanish, Andrea also talks about her love for music, family, and hosting Horned Frog tailgates. Tune in to hear how Andrea’s commitment to development and innovation is driving her success in real estate and beyond.