Gary Pickens

President

It all started AT...

The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting in 1976.  In 1978, Mr. Pickens joined Trammell Crow Company in Dallas, and oversaw warehouse and industrial development and leasing in the central Dallas area.  In 1986, Mr. Pickens joined Vantage Companies, one of the nation’s largest commercial development firms, based in Dallas, Texas.  As Executive Vice President of Vantage Companies - National Build-to-Suit Division, Mr. Pickens was in charge of all divisional responsibilities for turnkey development of approximately $113 million of office and industrial properties.

In 1994, Mr. Pickens merged his division from Vantage into a new business relationship with Jackson-Shaw Company of Dallas.  This merger allowed two strong competitors to join forces to better serve its’ national clientele.  Mr. Pickens served as Executive Vice President and Principal.  During his career, Mr. Pickens has been responsible for approximately 3.5 million square feet of speculative industrial development and 34 build-to-suit/industrial and office projects for national companies.

In November of 1995, Mr. Pickens established United Properties Southwest, LLC in Dallas, Texas, as a full-service development and investment company specializing in site acquisition for speculative commercial and industrial development, build-to-suit development for tenants requiring a lease and, design/build development construction for clients who prefer to own.

Since inception, United Properties Southwest has developed or has under construction, 36 projects ranging in scope from bulk warehouse to high rise corporate campus, which combined, represents over $266 million in development/construction contracts and over 6 million square feet of turnkey development by year end 2016. These developments are located across 11 states in 33 major markets.

UPS is also engaged in acquisitions of existing multi-tenant income producing properties.  As President and co-owner, Mr. Pickens continues to advance the successful business practices he has established and is known for in the commercial development community during his 39-year career.