Season 2: Daniel Stewart - Vice President of Development @ Fairfield Residential

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Daniel, VP of Development at Fairfield, for a conversation about growth, grit, and what it really looks like to build a career from analyst to development leader.Daniel joined Fairfield in 2012 straight out of Arizona State University, starting as an Asset Management Analyst before steadily expanding his responsibilities across value-add and stabilized portfolios in Texas and Arizona. Over the years, he helped launch Fairfield’s development-focused asset management platform, managing the critical transition from construction to operations and stabilization on lease-ups nationwide.What makes Daniel’s journey especially compelling is the intentional progression — learning the fundamentals first, understanding operations deeply, and then stepping into development leadership. In 2021, he joined the Texas development team, and by March 2024, he became the lead developer, overseeing a portfolio of twelve projects across Dallas, Houston, and Austin.As a sixth-generation Texan born and raised in Dallas, Daniel brings pride and local insight into every project he touches. We talked about what it means to develop in Texas today, how to balance growth with discipline, and why understanding operations is one of the most underrated advantages a developer can have.In this episode, we dive into:(1) Daniel’s journey from analyst to lead developer(2) How asset management experience strengthens development execution(3) The realities of delivering projects in Dallas, Houston, and Austin(4) What young professionals should focus on early in their careersDaniel’s story is relatable, steady, and motivating — proof that long-term growth in this industry comes from learning every layer of the business.🟢 Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.