Speaker’s Biography

Kent Collins
Text Box: Kent is a partner at CENTRO PARTNERS, LLC, an Austin-based real estate development company that specializes in urban infill mixed-use and residential properties. He has been at the forefront of developing vertically mixed-use projects in Austin and Houston for the last 12 years. He is currently developing the second phase of an urban multifamily project at the Domain Shopping Center in Austin, a 198-unit urban multifamily project in Uptown Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a 42-unit condominium project in central Austin. He believes in giving back to his community both in his professional work and volunteer activities. As Senior Vice President for Development at POST PROPERTIES, INC., Mr. Collins developed a 2-phase 650-unit urban apartment development with 30,000 sq. ft. of retail space in the Midtown neighborhood adjacent to downtown Houston. He also negotiated a $2.5 million public-private partnership with the City of Houston and the Midtown Redevelopment Authority In Austin, he developed a $22 million, mixed-use project in a public-private partnership on leased city-owned land. The project began construction one month early, completed one month early and stabilized at 100% occupancy two months early at rents above proforma. He also secured $6 million in historic tax credits for the Rice Lofts joint venture, a housing and retail project in downtown Houston, Texas. While with CENTRAL DALLAS ASSOCIATION, in Dallas, Texas, Mr. Collins was Project Manager for the Dallas City Center. Mr. Collins led a development task force to re-development a 22 block of downtown Dallas to jump-start the revitalization of the area. Mr. Collins served as Associate Project Manger for the WALT DISNEY COMPANY, in Disney Design & Development, in Glendale, CA on the Tokyo Disneyland Portfolio. While there Mr. Collins managed WDI efforts through construction of a $23 million theme park attraction, Swiss Family Robinson Tree House at Tokyo Disneyland. He started his career as project manager of the MAIN STREET PROJECT, for the City of Hillsboro, in Hillsboro, Texas, During his time there, Mr. Collins managed a public and privately financed downtown revitalization project, including the organization, media and special events, promotions and design of a 16-block area of over 200 historic commercial buildings. Personal Kent’s wife Reenie is an Austin native and is active on the Seton Development Board, Austin Christian Fellowship, Pi Beta Phi Alumnae, Highland Park PTA, and the Girl Scouts. Their children, Claire (13), Winston (10), and Tye (8) attend O’Henry Middle School and Highland Park Elementary. Professional Recognition: 2002 Austin Business Journal, Best Deals Award, Best Public Private Project 2001 Texas Society of Architects Award for Company’s contribution to built environment in Texas 2001 ACE Awards co-sponsored by the Houston Chapter of CCIM and CREW for Midtown Square 1999 Dallas Chapter, American Institute of Architects, Un-built Award for Midtown Square (Pierce Elevated), Phase II, Houston, Texas 1999 Houston Chapter, American Planning Association, Project Award 1989 Honor Award, Austin Chapter, American Institute of Architects. Project: Gabriel’s Court, Austin, Texas 1988 Honor Award, Austin Chapter, American Institute of Architects. Project: Breed & Co., Austin, Texas 1987 City of Austin Design Award. Projects: Gabriel’s Court and Breed & Co. 1987 City of Austin Design Award. Project: Breed & Co., Austin, Texas