Bios
President / Founder
Tom is the President / founder of Forsite Development, Inc. and manages all aspects of the company's operations. Tom started Forsite in December 2004 with the idea that there was a significant supply of vacant corporate surplus industrial facilities throughout the Southeast that could be acquired aggressively and then repositioned. Since starting Forsite, Tom has purchased over 4.2 million SF of space throughout the Carolinas.
Forsite's most ambitious project to date is "ReVenture Park", a 667 acre re-development of a shuttered chemical plant, currently listed as a Federal Superfund site into a "Renewable Energy Industrial Park". The property, located along the shores of the Catawba River in Charlotte, NC has over 1.4 miles of river frontage and is the largest piece of underutilized heavy industrial property in the region. Once complete, this project is projected to create over 1,100 "green collar" jobs and over $900 million in new investment.
Prior to starting Forsite, Tom was a ten year veteran and Senior Vice President of Development for Indianapolis based Lauth Property Group. In July of 2001, Tom moved to Charlotte to open Lauth’s second regional office where he managed all build-to-suit, land development and construction activities that he and his team created in the Southeast.
Tom has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Finance from Ball State University.
Vice President of Operations
Darrell manages all development and construction operations for Forsite. He is responsible for all technical due diligence for all building acquisitions and manages all construction related activities including new build-to-suits, tenant uplifts, and all deferred maintenance for existing buildings.
Prior to joining Forsite, Darrell was the Vice President of Engineering for Springs Industries where he spent 28 years managing and constructing over 11.2 million SF of heavy manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Mexico. His unique experience of repairing, maintaining and constructing industrial facilities has been an invaluable resource to Forsite ’s core business. Since starting at Forsite in 2007, Darrell has managed over $31M in construction projects.
Darrell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from University of South Carolina. He also received his certification in Mechanical Systems from York Technical College and is a graduate of Soil Studies and Geotechnical Planning at Georgia Tech.
Vice President of Acquisitions & Development
Houston manages the marketing and leasing of Forsite ’s projects, as well as sourcing new deals. Houston brings Forsite an exceptional understanding of industrial real estate and numerous relationships he has built over his 13 year career in the Carolinas. His background integrates work in all the industries disciplines, including: brokerage, development, financing, marketing, construction, asset and property management.
Prior to joining Forsite, Houston served as Vice President of Office and Industrial development for Lauth Property Group. He had overall responsibility for Lauth ’s Office and Industrial development in the Carolinas and Virginia. While at Lauth he participated in eight development deals representing a gross value of $254 million. Prior to joining Lauth Houston served as Project Manager for American Asset Corporation. While at AAC he managed 55 tenant upfits and the development of 9 shell buildings totaling $95 million in worth. His real estate career began with CB Richard Ellis as an industrial broker where he participated in over 200 transactions.
Houston has a Bachelors degree in Corporate Communication and Business Administration from the College of Charleston and a Master degree in Real Estate Development and Finance from Harvard University.
Shannon Doster
Office Manager / Controller
Forsite Development day-to-day operations are managed by Shannon Doster. Her responsibilities include financial reporting, executive support, human resources, marketing, and property management administration.
Offering over 15 years of experience in business management, accounting, sales and marketing along with her previous job for an international corporation, has gained Shannon experience in many business sectors. This coupled with her versatility has contributed much to Forsite ’s ongoing success.
