Jesse Conrad brings nearly two decades of experience in land development and civil engineering to Atwell. Jesse now helps guide Atwell’s expanding Texas team while leveraging the firm’s broader national platform to pursue new opportunities. We sat down with Jesse to learn more about what drew him to the industry, what it takes to thrive in it, and what the integration of Manhard and Atwell means for the future.
What drew you to a career in real estate and land development?
It really comes down to family. My father worked in real estate, land development, and acquisition, and I had a lot of respect for what he did. Growing up, I spent time driving around half-built subdivisions on the way to and from sporting events. He was always working on something. I was always stronger in math and science and as I got older and learned more about what he did, I seriously considered pursuing it professionally.
I leaned into engineering for my degree, and while I always thought I’d eventually go back for an MBA or a law degree, I got into the industry and just kept learning. There was always something new to understand, something that challenged me. I never felt the pull to step away.
Tell us about your current role and what you’re focused on right now.
My focus is really supporting our folks in Texas. A big part of that is leveraging the broader Atwell brand and expanded service offerings and geographic footprint alongside relationships I’ve built over nearly 20 years in the industry. On the local side, I’m often supporting team members day-to-day: reviewing proposals, assisting with client conversations, and helping kick off projects on the right foot. In terms of national efforts, I’m pursuing opportunities we simply couldn’t have gone after previously at Manhard, because we didn’t have the right personnel or service offering at the time. That’s been one of the most exciting parts of this chapter.
Share more about your experience with the integration of Manhard and Atwell.
It’s gone as well as it has because of alignment from the top down. Philosophically, both companies were aligned in terms of growth philosophy, on the type of associates we want, and on the type of clients we want to serve. The things Atwell has that Manhard didn’t are so genuinely complementary. It provides more robust opportunity for all our associates to grow within a bigger organization and reach milestones faster than we could have previously.
What are some of the most common challenges in land development, and how do you approach them?
On the client and project side, I always encourage coming in with an open mind and a genuine interest in win-win solutions. You need to understand what the end goal is for the client and for the community. Every community has its own drivers and own definition of success. Before you walk in with a project, especially one that will go through zoning, entitlements, or neighborhood meetings, you need to do your homework. You need to give people a real seat at the table, listen to their concerns, and understand their perspective. That groundwork is what sets up a project for long-term success.
Do you have a favorite phase of a project?
I’m a bit of a deal junkie, honestly. I love the initial stages. It’s creative problem-solving, finding solutions that work for the client and fit the community. But that creative energy shows up throughout a project, not just at the beginning. The ability to adapt on the fly, come up with solutions under pressure, and find those win-win moments, that’s what gets me out of bed.
What accomplishments are you most proud of in your career so far?
Without question, it’s the team we built in Texas over the last eight years. A lot went into that. It was a true team approach. Everyone played to their strengths and checked their egos at the door. Reflecting on it now, being able to support the team and their career journeys, watching the organization grow throughout the state of Texas, that’s the most rewarding thing. Even more than the great client work and exciting projects, it’s the people.
What skills do you think are most critical to success in this industry?
Continuous learning is at the top of the list. This industry evolves at a pace that keeps accelerating, and you have to be willing to constantly reassess your approach while staying grounded in the principles you learned early in your career.
Beyond that, communication is paramount. You simply cannot over-communicate in this industry. There are always opportunities to do it better and more frequently, both internally and externally.
And finally, self-awareness. Being able to honestly assess your own strengths and weaknesses, lean into your strengths, and be willing to be a little vulnerable about where you need to grow separates the people who plateau from the ones who keep developing.
What do the next three to five years look like for the team in Texas?
I think we’re just getting started. We’ve seen significant growth but there’s still enormous runway ahead. We have a strong footprint across North Texas, Austin, and Houston, and real opportunity to deepen our presence in Houston and San Antonio.
I think we could realistically double what we’re doing in Texas with the right people joining the team and giving the people we already have the chance to step into bigger roles. That’s the fun part: building it together.
Outside of work, how do you spend your time?
My kids are 13, seven, and five, so wherever they are, that’s where I am. Right now, the youngest is into monster trucks, so we just went to Monster Jam. The oldest plays baseball and does a lot of theater. We travel as a family as much as we can and really prioritize creating memories together.
Beyond family, I’m a huge sports fan. Born and raised in Chicago, so I’m still a loyal Chicago sports fan through and through. I’ve warmed up to the Rangers since Cubs fans and Rangers fans can coexist fine since they’re in different leagues and I’ll cheer for the Stars while the Blackhawks rebuild. But I’m not quite ready to cheer for the Cowboys. That’s a line I haven’t crossed yet.
