Matt Ledom, CCIM with MMG

In this week’s MWM Broker Spotlight, Matt Ledom, CCIM, senior associate director with MMG Real Estate Advisors, shares his experience, passion and drive since his start in the Kansas City CRE environment.

Ledom began his career in the investment sales industry in the summer of 2013 working as a seller representative for Block Real Estate Services. In 2021, Ledom joined MMG Real Estate Advisors with a focus on multifamily investment sales and advising clients in a way that maximizes their investment returns through strategic planning and execution.

MWM: What initially sparked your interest in becoming a commercial real estate broker?

Ledom: My father is in the commercial real estate business (developer and owner) and helped push me in the brokerage direction – the best way to learn the business early on is through brokerage. I also enjoy the competitive environment and the mentality of being in charge of your future. I appreciate that it’s a high-risk, high-reward industry.

MWM: What do you enjoy most about being a broker?

Ledom: We take a lot of pride in representing our clients in the marketplace. They trust and believe we will execute at an extremely high level. We consistently close at, or above, the top end of our valuations!

I love the fast-paced nature of the business. At times, we uncover opportunities and only have a day or two to assemble our thoughts and valuations together. There’s an adrenaline rush to start, followed by satisfaction when our team turns around detailed information so quickly and effectively.

My favorite part is having a pulse on what’s going on around the city in real-time, as well as being part of bringing in new capital that plays a role in upgrading the landscape of our marketplace.

MWM: Can you share a highlight of your goals? Where do you see yourself in the next 5­-10 years?

Ledom: We are building something special at MMG. We have an extremely team-centric approach and a combination of local, regional and national reach that allows us to efficiently and effectively assist our clients in moving their capital all around the country. We want to grow our team and increase our production levels individually and as a whole company.

My personal goals are aligned with our team goals at MMG. Excellence in our executions for clients, combined with consistent company growth and continued improvement through hard work and perseverance.

MWM: Can you offer any tips on how you stay on track with your goals and how to be a successful broker?

Ledom: I am fortunate to have been around some very successful commercial real estate executives throughout my career. Some of my mentors include my Father, Mark Ledom; Michael Sullivan with MMG; Alex Blagojevich with MMG; Bucky Brooks with Copaken-Brooks; Lindsay Olsen with MITC; Ken Block with BRES; and Aaron Mesmer-BRES.

Setting goals is extremely important. Having a plan to execute on those goals is equally important. When I look back over my career to date, focusing on what you CAN do, not what you CAN’T do, and utilizing your best skillsets to accomplish pre-set goals can take you a long way.

Ledom graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2013 with a double-major in Real Estate and Operations Management. He also played on the golf team on a scholarship while attending college.

To reach Matt Ledom, you may email him at matt.ledom@mmgrea.com.

To nominate a MWM Broker Spotlight candidate, please email lisa@metrowiremedia.com.

With Midwest Gateway, Copaken Brooks is Edgerton's new kid in town

Brokers were offered a sneak peak of Midwest Gateway, a 487,000-square foot warehouse and distribution center adjacent to the entrance of BNSF Railway's intermodal facility at 191st and Homestead in Edgerton, Kan.

“Edgerton is the hottest industrial submarket in the world right now. Fortunately, we are able to offer two state-of-the-art buildings at 32-foot clear here,” said Bucky Brooks, principal with project developer Copaken Brooks.

Midwest Gateway is one of a handful of facilities located along the heavy haul, I-35 corridor and allows shippers to send heavier loads to and from the 443-acre BNSF intermodal yard with significant reduction in drayage expenses. 

“Supply chain experts all agree there are huge cost savings here,” said Aaron Schlagel of Copaken Brooks. “ARCO knocked it out of the park with this facility. We are ready to make deals.”

Midwest Gateway was completed three months ahead of schedule. Features of the 301,000- and 186,000-square foot buildings include upgraded LED motion-sensor lighting, future trailer parking, and the ability for users to lease or own.

"Midwest Gateway can accommodate tenants fromt 50,000 square feet and up, creating a rare opportunity for tenants seeking smaller format distribution facilities who want proximity to the BNSF Intermodal,” said Russell Pearson of NAI Heartland, which is co-marketing the project with Copaken Brooks.

A variety of city and state tax incentives are available for up to 10 years for potential users, as well as Foreign Trade Zone benefits.   

Project partners include ARCO National Construction, GMA Architects, Shafer, Kline & Warren, Krudwig & Associates and Metro Air.

Click here to download a Midwest Gateway project brochure. 

Building 1 at Midwest Gateway includes a balcony that overlooks BNSF's intermodal operations.

Development team gets sneak peak of Midwest Gateway project (and so do you!)

Developers this week toured the Midwest Gateway project, a 487,000 square foot warehouse and distribution facility under construction at 191st & Homestead in Edgerton, Kan. Comprised of two buildings designed to accommodate multiple tenants, Midwest Gateway is adjacent to the entrance of BNSF Railway's intermodal facility and on track for tenant occupancy by the end of the year.

Midwest Gateway is one of a handful of facilities located along the heavy haul, I-35 corridor, which allows shippers to send heavier loads to and from the intermodal yard with significant reduction in drayage expenses. 

"With buildings sized at 186,000 and 301,000 square feet each, Midwest Gateway creates a rare opportunity for tenants seeking smaller format distribution facilities who want close proximity to the BNSF Intermodal," said Russell Pearson of NAI Heartland, which is co-marketing the project alongside Copaken Brooks. "The buildings have a number of unique features including upgraded LED lighting, future trailer parking, and the ability for users to lease or own.  Building 1 even has a balcony that over-looks the BNSF intermodal operations which is really impressive to see."

Midwest Gateway is being developed by Copaken Brooks and co-marketed by NAI-Heartland and Copaken Brooks. Additional project partners include GMA Architects, ARCO National Construction, Shafer, Kline & Warren, Krudwig & Associates and Metro Air. (Below: Nathan Anderson, NAI-Heartland; Bucky Brooks, Copaken Brooks; Aaron Schlagel, Copaken Brooks; Russell Pearson, NAI-Heartland)

Click the photos below to browse our slide show for a full construction update. More details online at MidwestGatewayKC.com. 

Midwest Gateway groundbreaking signals new industrial product for booming Edgerton

The threat of a severe thunderstorm couldn't stop heavy equipment from firing up at Wednesday's official groundbreaking for Midwest Gateway, Copaken Brooks' half-million square foot speculative industrial building in Edgerton. 

Midwest Gateway will be marketed to users seeking between 50,000 and 300,000 square feet, providing an alternative to the so-called "big bomber" industrial projects of over 500,000-1 million square feet that are the hallmark of NorthPoint Development's adjacent Logistics Park Kansas City, according to NAI Heartland's Russell Pearson.

"This is the first project of its kind in Edgerton that will be designed for 'smaller' users, small being relative, I suppose," said Pearson, who is co-brokering the project along with Nathan Anderson and Bucky Brooks. "We will be targeting distribution, manufacturing, and warehousing users who understand what drayage savings means for their businesses; as well as providing the opportunity to own or lease a custom-built facility in an irreplaceable location."

Located near the entrance to the BNSF Intermodal rail hub and virtually across the street from a newly announced UPS distribution hub, Midwest Gateway is poised to leverage the intermodal's advantages to help tenants reduce operating and drayage costs and maximize supply chain efficiencies thanks in part to proximity along I-35's heavy haul corridor.

"The supply and demand drivers for this size of building are unmet at the BNSF Intermodal," said Aaron Schlagel, vice president, development at Copaken Brooks. "The buildings allow flexibility for industrial users who need a more efficient building footprint and increased operational efficiencies due to Midwest Gateway's unique locational benefits."

Midwest Gateway marks Copaken Brooks first foray into speculative industrial development. Construction will be completed by early 2018.

"We are excited to deliver Midwest Gateway to the burgeoning Kansas City logistics and distribution market," said Bucky Brooks, principal at Copaken Brooks. "Midwest Gateway is an ideal project for us to extend our infill development expertise and deliver a state-of-the-art industrial project on a premiere site at the heart of the BNSF intermodal."

The buildings will feature tilt-up concrete walls and architectural glass, a minimum 32-foot clear height, 7” floor slab and T-5 motion sensor lighting. Accommodating multiple industrial uses, the buildings will have ample docks with the ability to expand, plus truck parking and trailer storage.

Project team members include GMA Architects, ARCO National Construction, Shafer, Kline & Warren, Krudwig & Associates, and Metro Air. Interested parties click here, or email Russell@NAI-Heartland.com for more information.