Jim Kollaer, FAIA, LEED AP, managing director of Kollaer Advisors, LLC has been involved with the AEC industry for the last 40 years first as a lab tech in a materials lab on a dam project, then an architect planner working on projects around the globe, then as the head of a real estate brokerage operation with a multi-city operation and then as part of national real estate firm.

Following his curiosity, he became the CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Chamber, Economic Development and World Trade organization for the 4^th largest city in the Country, Houston. In that role, he led a team of professionals who worked on major infrastructure project funding and on the expansion of jobs, global air routes, and trade relations. They were involved with environmental laws, quality of life issues and major venues for the professional sports teams in Houston. He served a business board of 135 CEOs from the Houston business community.

After 15 years in that role, he reentered the real estate business as a partner in the Houston operations of the Staubach Company. When the company merged with Jones Lang LaSalle, Kollaer left to form his new venture to offer advisory services to developers, architects, engineers, contractors and subcontractors.

He currently serves as senior advisor for several global firms where he offers advice to CEOs, principals, partners and leaders in the AEC and Real Estate Industries. He is a strategic thinker and futurist who watches the trends of the AEC world as well as the politics that drive that future.

Kollaer provides executive coaching for professionals who want to address a current issue, enhance the skill sets, who are in transition or who need a trusted advisor. He has been a key note speaker at conferences and conventions around the world, has appeared on a number of the major media outlets and for 15 years wrote a monthly column on the major issues in the Houston Region. He has served on numerous national and local boards, commissions, committees and organizations where he has contributed to forward looking projects that make a major impact on the built environment.