Two guests are with us in this episode: Casey Witkowicz and Brett Miller. Casey is the founder of RYCOM Corporation, while Brett is the CEO of Canderel. Their discussion with Aaron and Adam is about how real estate and technology strategies are working together in the COVID-19 pandemic to lead into an economic recovery.
We start off by hearing the effects that the pandemic has had in the businesses of both guests, along with what technologies have thrived during this period. They get into arguments for why people will want to return to work in an office and the need for integrated data across all real estate.
Topics covered include:
- The journey that Canderel has gone through in the past 2 years to become more technological.
- Casey’s prediction for how machines will be used in the next hundred years.
- Blockchain’s use case and why it hasn’t yet caught on.
- Technology that Brett and Casey are the most excited about.
- Managing the changes that come with introducing technology.
- The quick pivot that Canderel made to their work process.
- Considering if businesses need people to be in their office full-time.
- An argument for why people want to go to an office.
- Brett’s background and his experience in technology strategies for real estate.
- How Casey works with Brett and with real estate in general.
- The abundance of proptech emerging in the real estate space.
- Why knowledge transfer needs to happen in this industry.
- A dream that Brett has for information in his organization.
More about our guests….
Brett Miller – CEO, Canderel
Brett Miller has 30 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry and the management of high growth entrepreneurial businesses in both North America and Europe.
He started his career with Canderel (1986-1992) and rejoined in February 2019 as its Chief Executive Officer, taking over from Jon Wener who remains on as Chairman. Brett Miller is responsible for setting the strategic vision of Canderel, the oversight of all operations, 3rd party service businesses and the deployment of the company’s capital in a diverse portfolio of real estate projects across North America.
Prior to Canderel, Brett Miller was the CEO of JLL Canada. When he joined the company in 2012 it had a small footprint in Canada with a staff of 150. During his 6 year tenure he grew the company by a factor of 10 through organic growth, the completion of 5 acquisitions and the launch of multiple new business lines. Through his leadership JLL became a leading national competitor in the real estate services industry in Canada. He held a similar role for CBRE from 2001-2012 during which time as its EVP Eastern Canada he grew CBRE into a dominant real estate services company in the region. Prior to 2001 Brett worked in London as the General Manager of a new venture owned by News International and in Paris creating and running a start-up logistics business.
Brett Miller received his MBA from INSEAD and his Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from McGill University. His charitable and community activities include the INSEAD Alumni Endowment Fund Trustee, Chair of The Missing Children’s Network Gala, BOMA Canada Advisory Board and the leadership of The Defi Canderel.
Casey Witkowicz – Founder, RYCOM Corp
Casey has over three and half decades of experience in the information, communication and technology industry working in and serving markets throughout North America including real-estate. Electrical engineer by training, Casey has worked in R&D, product development, sales, executive management and has introduced countless of digital strategies, services and technologies for AT&T, Motorola, through private investments and more recently RYCOM Corporation. Founder of RYCOM, Casey is an entrepreneur, leader, investor, builder, frequent contributor to various industry thought leadership discussions and panels. The most important personal asset we have is our time and experience, Casey serves on a number of industry boards and with RYCOM supports a variety of academic collaborations to develop the next generation workforce. Most importantly Casey is a husband and dad who cares about human values and needs. Through the creation of LEAN ON ME, RYCOM serve’s and gives back to our communities corporately and individually.
RYCOM is a trusted thought leader in Smart Tech solutions for public and private sector real estate, properties and portfolios. The convergence of real-estate operations, investments, tenant needs, and smart tech requires a wholistic approach to real-estate going forward. RYCOM HIVE is wholistic delivery platform merging smart tech, people and process assuring our clients outcomes and investment value. Smart Buildings are the center pieces of intelligent communities and smart cities. RYCOM is creating and deploying strategies built with industries brightest innovation, our development, integration securing the promise of technology and meeting the demands of the future. RYCOM has and continues to demonstrate that green strategies are both investment grade and sustainable, building the path to a carbon free economy.
The CRE Podcast is powered by First National.
In partnership with Canadian Real Estate Forums.
Join the REF Club and get access to all of the amazing events the CRE Podcast is hosting on the platform in 2021.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download