Member Profile Q&A Mark Kilkenny, Executive Vice President of Development and Government Affairs, Mischer Investments Mark Kilkenny is Executive Vice President of Development and Government Affairs at Mischer Investments, Chair of the City of Houston Planning Commission, Chair of the Texas Alliance for Responsible Growth, Environment, and Transportation (TARGET), President of the Utility District Advisory Corporation (UDAC), and past-Chair of the West Houston Association. He currently serves on WHA’s Executive Committee. Q: You recently re-incorporated TARGET, which fought for fair air quality rules almost a decade ago. What can you tell us about TARGET’s latest efforts? A: The entire gulf coast region of Texas is faced with changes in rules related to the Clean Water Act. The current administration in Washington is enacting new rules that could severely limit our ability to continue to grow and provide quality communities for the area. The proposed rules are not based on good science and are purposefully written to be vague and arbitrary. TARGETs members, which includes West Houston, have filed suit in federal court against the EPA and the US Army Corps of Engineers to specifically focus on a Texas specific portion of the rules dealing with coastal prairie wetlands. The rule as written is totally unpredictable, something we cannot have if we’re to provide affordable product for the consumer. Q: Given that you started at Mischer in 1980, a few years before Houston’s Oil Bust, what advice do you have for young professionals on how to handle the uncertainty in the market? A: Patience. After 35 years in the real estate development business I have experienced, and to date survived, several up and down cycles. Houston’s economy in 2015 is much more diversified than it was in the 80’s. Even with low oil prices there is the downstream sector that benefits from cheaper feedstock and our medical center and technology related industries provide a much broader based jobs market that coupled with Houston’s entrepreneurial attitude seems to always provide continued opportunity and success. Q: What idea or philosophy has made the biggest difference to you in the course of your career? A: Our founder and my mentor, Walter Mischer, Sr., always stressed the importance of being involved. Both in the business and personal communities. He felt that if you worked hard and stay involved that Houston had always been good to him in return. I have always embraced that idea. In business it is always good to have a seat at the table or you’re likely to be on the menu. Q: What part of development do you find most interesting, and what professional project are you most proud of? A: The entire process from planning to completion for me is rewarding. Taking something from an idea on paper and seeing it finished on the ground is most gratifying. As to professional projects I am proud of, there are many. From Stablewood, an upscale Memorial area neighborhood to communities such as Riverpark in Sugar Land and Cypress Creek Lakes off of US 290. It is great to see families enjoy the lifestyles we have helped to create. Q: What projects will Mischer showcase in 2016 and what do you find most exciting about these projects? A: We’re nearly completed with both Cypress Creek Lakes and The Vintage in the northwest area of town. The remaining development parcels in each project will provide unique opportunities in today’s changing market. Q: What is the most common mistake you see young developers make and how can they avoid this mistake? A: Sacrificing quality for what often becomes short term profit. I think it is important to create a quality product in today’s business climate. Consumers are much more adept in today’s electronic world and expect more, particularly in the neighborhoods they chose to live and raise their families. There is an expected duty one should have to provide that environment in an affordable manner. Q: How did you get so much responsibility and how do manage to take on more? A: I have been fortunate to work for the past 35 years in a true entrepreneurial environment that rewards someone who is willing to take the lead and move ahead. That environment also encourages involvement as I discussed above. Volunteering in professional organizations always provides for opportunities to lead, especially when you have encouragement from the principals within your own office.