2020 Ones to Watch: Thad Minshall, Vice President of Real Estate/Development at Connolly Brothers

Which project, deal, or transaction was the “game-changer” in the advancement of your career? I worked on the acquisition and repositioning of a 12-story office building a block from the White House in Washington, DC. It was built in 1980 and had a very tired brick façade and tinted ribbon windows. We removed the existing skin, extended the slab, installed a new glass curtainwall from the ground level up to the roof, and added a roof top deck, conference center, and state-of-the-art gym. All of this was done while the building was 50% occupied!

Who or what inspires you? People who join and serve in the armed forces, fighting for our freedom. Many do it out of a deep sense of service and do not expect to be rewarded financially. They put their lives on the line for us every single day, and that inspires me. 

What advice can you offer to someone who is interested in a career in your industry? Prove yourself through honesty, integrity, and hard work. People will recognize it.

What led you to your current profession? My dad was a real estate investor when I was growing up and I started working for him when I was 14 by doing ground and maintenance work at various properties. After I graduated from college, I worked for him on the property management side before moving into a construction management role. When my wife and I moved to Massachusetts in 2016, I joined the family business and took over the real estate development role at Connolly Brothers. This is the first time the company has had someone dedicated to real estate development and I am really enjoying it.