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Brian Leary

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Highwoods Properties

Search every verified Brian Leary interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a September 2021 interview, Highwoods Properties CEO Ted Klinck discussed the company's priorities and outlook for the office sector. He stated that the company's top priority was the safety of its employees and customers, followed by maintaining liquidity and a "fortress balance sheet" amid economic uncertainty. Klinck said Highwoods was working with customers needing rent relief to find solutions that keep them in buildings while minimizing financial impact to the company. He also noted that the company was not planning to start any speculative developments until it had a better sense of the economic situation and rental rate demand. Klinck expressed the view that the long-term trend of office densification was over and likely to reverse, and that de-densification could offset increased remote work. He said he did not believe working from home full-time would be successful over the long term, citing challenges in building company culture. Klinck stated that the workplace remained a key tool for recruiting and retaining employees, and that he expected Sun Belt markets to see increased demand from companies relocating from the Northeast and West Coast due to lower costs and fewer transportation issues. He also mentioned that Highwoods was beginning to consider changes to future development projects, such as improved air quality systems and touchless technologies.

Recent appearances

  • Brian Leary on The Real Story Behind Atlantic Station

    October 14, 2026 · 📺 Sunbelt Developers

    Brian Leary is the COO of Highwoods Properties. Brian cut his teeth working on Atlantic Station - which at the time was 100-year-old steel mill in the middle of Atlanta. In this episode Brian shares the story behind some of the most transformative development projects in the Southeast and his take on the future of Sunbelt office investments. We cover: • The origin story of Atlantic Station • Leading the Atlanta Beltline through the Great Financial Crisis • Why the "commute worthy" office is winning • Highwoods' strategy across Dallas, Charlotte, and Nashville • The future of the workplace in…

    Watch on YouTube ↗

  • Downtown Greenway Speaker Series: Trail-Oriented Development With Brian Leary

    September 29, 2026 · 📺 CityofGreensboroNC

    Brian Leary is the former President & CEO of the Atlanta Beltline and now, the Exec. VP & COO of Highwoods Properties. Learn More At https://downtowngreenway.org/

    Watch on YouTube ↗

  • #41 Brian Leary | COO, Highwoods Properties

    December 13, 2024 · 📺 The Deal Ranch Podcast

    Brian Leary is the COO of Highwoods Properties. Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE: HIW), headquartered in Raleigh, NC, is a publicly traded, fully integrated office REIT that owns, develops, acquires, leases and manages properties primarily in the best business districts (BBDs) of Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Richmond and Tampa. Prior to joining Highwoods Brian held senior management and executive positions with Crescent Communities, Jacoby Development, Inc., Atlanta Beltline, Inc., AIG Global Real Estate, Atlantic Station, LLC and Central Atlanta Progre…

    Watch on YouTube ↗

The summary and quote tags on this profile are produced with AI assistance from verified, first-person interview transcripts, then checked by our team to confirm the speaker's identity and the accuracy of every quote. See how we verify →