DOUGAL CAMERON

Though he has built one of the most successful commercial real estate companies in the Houston area -- Cameron Management, which owns, manages and leases office buildings -- Dougal Cameron did not always plan for a career in real estate.

Instead, Cameron began his career as an accountant with the company that is now Ernst & Young. It wasn't until 1985, when he took a position as an asset and project manager with Gerald D. Hines, that Cameron entered the field of commercial real estate. At Hines, Cameron was responsible for managing CBD Class-A assets such as Bank of America Center, JP Morgan Chase Tower, Pennzoil Place and One and Two Shell Plazas.

Cameron enjoyed this taste of real estate, but returned to the world of finance in 1991, serving as an owner and principal of a local money management firm. Cameron, though, understood just how strong of an investment commercial real estate was, and in 1995 he purchased his first building, 3000 Richmond Avenue in Houston. At the same time, he formed Cameron Management.

Ever since, Cameron Management has owned and managed buildings in Houston and San Antonio in both single ownerships and joint-venture partnerships.

Cameron's goal? He strives to operate a firm that provides the best possible service to its tenants. As Cameron Management's website says, the company is dedicated to integrity and teamwork. It's also a good place to work: Cameron Management is 100% owned by its employees.

"Entrepreneurship is the central characteristic of all of my business successes," Cameron said. "Being proactive and intentional, the central characteristics of entrepreneurial living, is required and rewarded in the United States, especially in real estate."

Cameron also pointed to the help and guidance provided by Ted Dom, his partner in Cameron Management for more than 25 years.

"Ted and I together make one whole human being," Cameron said. "I guess I was smart enough to know that I could not do it on my own."

One of the most important secrets to Cameron's success? Resiliency. Throughout his long career, Cameron has worked through the 1983-1996 Houston depression, the 2001-2003 Enron challenges and the financial crisis of 2009 through 2011.

"By God's grace, we have customers, tenants and partners who stuck with us in the bad times," Cameron said. "You have to hold on in the tough times to make it to the good times."

Another reason for his thriving career? Cameron cites the influence of his mother, whom he said gave him the fortitude to survive even the toughest business challenges.

"She imbued in me a spirit of tenacity, hard work and joy," Cameron said.

When not serving his clients, Cameron finds time to give back to his community. He is a board member of Central Houston, Inc., is a governing board member of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program and a member of the board of Hines Global Income Trust. Cameron has also supported organizations such as the Houston Symphony, Devil's River Association, New Beginnings Pregnancy Center and Texans First.

Cameron says that his calling in life to model three habits to others: love Jesus, live entrepreneurially and work hard. His goal is to model these habits to his eight children, 12 grandchildren and 47 interns and mentees whom he was worked with over the years. He shares these habits, too, with the men of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, and has spent more than 147 days in prison with the members of this group during the last 14 years.

Chairman and CEO

Cawley Partners Dallas, Texas

Bill Cawley

Named the 2022 Developer of the Year and continually recognized as one of the most influential business leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth, Cawley Partners Chairman and CEO Bill Cawley has left his mark on the industry in many ways.

Throughout his nearly 40-year career, Cawley’s industry expertise and ability to envision future trends has led him to acquire and develop more than 12 million square feet of commercial office product. His company is the premier office developer along the Dallas North Tollway, developing more than $500 million of Class-A office space totaling more than 1.5 million square feet within the last five years.

As a testament to his commitment and dedication, while many developers slowed their pace during the recent pandemic, Cawley led his team full steam ahead with an understanding of the evolving market demand. He focused on meeting client needs to create walkable sites and amenity-driven office space aimed at enticing returning workers.

“Having discipline is key,” Cawley said. “You have to trust your gut to be patient and only make deals that should be made.”

Along these lines, Cawley most recently launched plans for two new projects: a 600,000-square-foot office campus in Frisco and a 1.5-million-square-foot multi-phase project with three new office towers at Grandscape in The Colony. His company has also announced Phase II plans for The Parkwood and Fourteen5 office developments.

Above all, Cawley’s goal is for the growth and success of the commercial real estate industry. He’s an active member of The Real Estate Council (TREC) and was instrumental in navigating TREC in its efforts to virtually sustain connections with members throughout COVID-19. He’s also the host of TREC’s podcast, Legends of CRE, on which he’s interviewed some of the most successful leaders in North Texas CRE, including Crescent Real Estate Founder John Goff, Ray Hunt of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., Hillwood’s Ross Perot, Jr. and Lucy Billingsley of Billingsley Company.

And his list of achievements keeps growing. He is a past board member of the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors and Real Estate Professionals (NTCAR) and was inducted into the NTCAR 2022 Hall of Fame; a member of Urban Land Institute (ULI); and serves on the SMU COX Folsom Institute for Real Estate Advisory Board.

The reason for his success? It’s tied to the relationships he’s maintained throughout the years.

“We always do what we say we will do,” Cawley said. “That is so important for our relationships. Real estate isn’t complicated. Say what you are going to do and do it!”