President's Blog

Carolina

March Edition

Carolina On My Mind – March Edition

A Little Madness, A Lot of Momentum in Corporate Real Estate

By Harold Hicks, CFM, MCR – Chapter President, CoreNet Global Carolinas

March is one of my favorite times of the year. The energy shifts. The days get longer. And of course, brackets get busted.

With the NCAA tournament tipping off in cities like Charlotte and across North Carolina and South Carolina, it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement of March Madness. But as I’ve been watching the brackets fill out, I can’t help but see the parallels between basketball and Corporate Real Estate (CRE).

Because in our world, March is less about madness — and more about momentum.

The CRE Bracket: What’s Advancing in 2026?

If we built a Corporate Real Estate bracket this year, here’s what I believe would be advancing to the Final Four — both globally and here in the Carolinas.

1. Flight to Quality 2.0

This trend isn’t new — but it’s evolving.

Organizations are doubling down on high-performance workplaces that deliver measurable outcomes: talent attraction, culture reinforcement, and ESG alignment. Commodity space is struggling. Experience-driven, amenity-rich, transit-connected assets are winning.

In markets like Raleigh and Charleston, we’re seeing continued investment in Class A products even as overall vacancy rates remain elevated. The message is clear: quality still commands a premium — but only when it’s purposeful.

2. Portfolio Optimization: Less, But Better

Across the globe, corporate occupiers are recalibrating their footprints. The days of measuring success purely by square footage are behind us.

Now it’s about:

  • Utilization analytics
  • Flexible lease structures
  • Hub-and-spoke strategies
  • Rightsizing without compromising culture

Here in the Carolinas, we’re seeing organizations consolidate suburban holdings while strengthening urban cores in Charlotte and Greenville. It’s not contraction for the sake of contraction — it’s intentionality.

3. AI & Data: The Unexpected Cinderella Story

Every tournament has one.

This year in CRE, it’s AI-powered decision-making.

From predictive occupancy modeling to lease abstraction and capital planning, artificial intelligence is moving from pilot programs to enterprise strategy. Global CRE leaders are integrating AI into scenario planning, site selection, and workforce forecasting.

The organizations that learn to trust — and verify — their data will outperform. Just like in basketball, analytics don’t replace instinct. They sharpen it.

4. Sustainability as Strategy — Not Slogan

Sustainability is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s embedded in capital allocation, brand identity, and regulatory compliance.

In manufacturing-heavy corridors across the Carolinas, energy resilience, water stewardship, and carbon reporting are shaping site decisions. Globally, occupiers are aligning real estate strategy directly with corporate climate commitments.

The madness? Thinking sustainability is optional.
The momentum? Recognizing it as competitive advantage.

What This Means for the Carolinas

Our region continues to punch above its weight.

The Carolinas sit at the intersection of:

  • Population growth
  • Business-friendly policy
  • Port and logistics strength
  • Higher education talent pipelines

From advanced manufacturing investments to life sciences expansion and financial services growth, the fundamentals remain strong.

But — and this is important — we cannot be passive participants!

March Madness rewards the teams that adjust at halftime.

For CRE professionals, that means:

  • Challenging legacy workplace assumptions
  • Building cross-functional partnerships with HR, IT, and Finance
  • Investing in member education and peer connection
  • Staying globally informed while acting regionally

That’s exactly why our work within CoreNet Global — and specifically within the Carolinas Chapter — matters more than ever.

Championship Culture

As Chapter President, I see firsthand the power of this network. The conversations happening at our programs are sharper. The questions are tougher. The collaboration is stronger.

That’s not madness. That’s maturity.

This chapter continues to grow because you — our members — are leaning in. Sharing lessons learned. Mentoring emerging leaders. Bringing candor to the challenges we all face.

And if there’s one thing both basketball and Corporate Real Estate teach us, it’s this:

Championship teams aren’t built in March.
They’re revealed in March.

Final Thought

As you fill out your brackets and connect with colleagues this month, I encourage you to ask yourself:

  • What’s advancing in your portfolio?
  • What’s on the bubble?
  • And where do you need to make a bold move before the buzzer?

The Carolinas are positioned for a strong run. Let’s make sure our CRE strategies are tournament-ready.

See you at our next chapter event.

Carolina on my mind…and the future of CRE in our sights.

 

Harold Hicks, CFM, MCR
Chapter President
CoreNet Global Carolinas

 

January Edition

Carolina on My Mind
By Harold Hicks, CFM, MCR

President, CoreNet Global Carolinas Chapter

January 2026 Edition

Community, Connection, and Leadership: Why CoreNet Carolinas Matters More Than Ever

As we begin a new year, January gives us a moment to pause---not just to look ahead, but to reflect on what truly sustains us as professionals and as a community. In corporate real estate, the pace of change remains relentless. Markets shift, strategies evolve, and expectations continue to rise. Yet one thing remains constant: the power of connection.

That is why CoreNet Global---and specifically our Carolina’s Chapter matters now more than ever.

A Community Built on Trust and Shared Experience

CoreNet is not just a professional association; it is a community of peers who understand the complexity of what we do and the responsibility we carry. Whether you are a corporate end user navigating portfolio strategy, a service provider delivering solutions in an increasingly competitive environment, or a sponsor investing in relationships that go beyond transactions, this chapter exists to support you.

The real value of CoreNet is found in the conversations that don’t happen in boardrooms.  It’s the candid exchanges, the lessons learned, and the shared experiences that help us all make better decisions. In a world full of noise, CoreNet offers clarity through trusted relationships.

For Our Corporate End Users

Your role has never been more strategic. You are asked to balance cost, culture, flexibility, sustainability, and talent all while preparing for what’s next. The Carolina’s Chapter is committed to being a place where you can learn from one another, challenge assumptions, and gain insight from professionals who truly understand the pressures you face.

This year, our goal is to continue creating content, programs, and discussions that are practical, relevant, and forward-looking—designed to help you lead with confidence.

For Our Service Providers

You are essential partners in this ecosystem. Your expertise, innovation, and perspective elevate the entire community. CoreNet provides more than access.  It provides meaningful engagement, where relationships are built on trust, credibility, and shared success.

As a chapter, we value service providers who show up, contribute, and invest in the community. Your voice matters, and your involvement strengthens the experience for everyone.

For Our Sponsors

Your support enables everything we do...from educational programming to networking opportunities and leadership development! More importantly, your partnership demonstrates a commitment to the long-term health of our industry and our region.

We don’t take that support lightly. In 2026, we remain focused on delivering value, visibility, and connection that justify your investment and reinforce why CoreNet Carolinas is a smart, strategic partnership.

Leadership Is a Shared Responsibility

Leadership within CoreNet doesn’t reside solely with the board or committee chairs.  It lives with every member who engages, volunteers, mentors, and participates. This chapter thrives because of people who are willing to give their time, share their knowledge, and support one another.

As President, I am continually inspired by the professionalism, generosity, and leadership I see across our membership. Together, we have the opportunity to shape not only the future of our chapter, but the future of corporate real estate in the Carolinas.

Looking Ahead—Together

As we step into the new year, my hope is simple: that you find value, connection, and opportunity within this community. Engage early. Attend an event. Join a committee. Reach out to someone you haven’t met yet.  Invite colleagues not yet connected!

CoreNet works best when we work together.

Thank you for being part of the Carolina’s Chapter of CoreNet Global. I look forward to all we will accomplish in the year ahead.

With Gratitude and Purpose,

Harold Hicks
President, CoreNet Carolina’s Chapter
CoreNet Global

 

February Edition

Carolina On My Mind: Honoring Black Leadership in Corporate Real Estate

February invites reflection on where we’ve been, who helped shape the path, and how we carry that legacy forward. As we recognize Black History Month, it’s an especially meaningful time to spotlight the Black leaders and firms whose influence has helped shape corporate real estate, not just nationally, but right here in the Carolinas.

Our region continues to experience extraordinary growth. From Charlotte to the Triangle, from Greenville to Charleston, corporate real estate plays a defining role in how companies expand, how communities evolve, and how people experience work. Black professionals have long contributed to this progress---often behind the scenes, sometimes against the odds, and always with lasting impact.

Here in the Carolinas, Black-owned and Black-led firms have helped shape some of our most visible and transformative projects. McKissack & McKissack, one of the nation’s oldest Black-owned design and construction firms, has had a presence in the Southeast for years, contributing to large-scale commercial, institutional, and infrastructure projects that demand both technical excellence and cultural awareness. Their work underscores how thoughtful planning and execution can elevate not only buildings, but the communities around them.

We also see Black leadership influencing corporate real estate through development, brokerage, project management, and advisory roles across our region’s major markets. Professionals based in Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham have helped guide headquarters relocations, major portfolio strategies, and workplace transformations for global companies choosing to call the Carolinas home. Their fingerprints are on the offices we work in, the campuses we design, and the neighborhoods being reimagined around them.

Leaders like Don Peebles, founder and CEO of The Peebles Corporation, demonstrated early on that large-scale, complex real estate development could be both financially successful and community centered. His work across major U.S. cities helped expand the vision of what inclusive development could look like and who gets to lead it.

Equally important is the role Black leaders have played in advancing conversations that matter deeply to CoreNet Global: inclusive growth, supplier diversity, equitable development, and talent pipelines. Some have started to serve as mentors, board members, and advocates, ensuring the next generation of corporate real estate professionals sees opportunity in an industry that did not always feel accessible.

Black History Month is not just about celebrating firsts or highlighting individual success stories.  It’s about recognizing sustained leadership and influence. It’s about understanding that the strength of our corporate real estate community comes from diverse perspectives working together to solve complex challenges.

As a chapter rooted in one of the most dynamic regions in the country, CoreNet Global Carolinas has an opportunity to lead by example. We can continue to elevate diverse voices on our panels, build intentional relationships with minority-owned firms, and support professionals at every stage of their careers. These efforts strengthen not only our chapter, but the entire industry we serve.

“Carolina On My Mind” is ultimately about stewardship…of place, of people, and of progress. This February, I’m proud to lift up the Black leaders and firms who have helped shape our region’s corporate real estate landscape and to reaffirm our commitment to a future defined by opportunity, inclusion, and excellence.

Thank you for the leadership you bring to our community and for helping make the Carolinas a place where everyone can thrive.

Harold R. Hicks, CFM, MCR
President, CoreNet Global Carolinas