Meet the Team: Nia James, Director, Real Estate and Asset Management

Meet Nia James, our Director of Real Estate and Asset Management! This real estate guru brings more than 15 years of experience in commercial real estate and a passion for finding new and creative ways to advance Tulsa’s economy to the PartnerTulsa team. To kick off the new year, we caught up with Nia to learn more about her role and what is on the horizon for Tulsa’s real estate market.

What is your role at PartnerTulsa? Director of Real Estate and Asset Management. How do you support PartnerTulsa’s mission to drive economic growth for the city?  

My primary role in supporting PartnerTulsa’s mission includes managing our organization-owned assets in order to maintain a sustainable revenue source for our economic development operations. I also oversee the marketing and sale of vacant parcels of land for the development of single family and multifamily housing as well as assist in deploying PartnerTulsa’s public finance and incentive tools to facilitate equitable development.

Why did you join the PartnerTulsa team?

I joined the PartnerTulsa team following a 15-year career in commercial property management. At the time, I was looking to challenge myself beyond this particular niche of real estate I had known for so long. When I became aware of this position, understood the mission of the organization and the character of the leadership in place, I was extremely excited to venture out of my comfort zone and be part of a team that drives the economic success of our city.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy working with a team that is creative in the ways in which we advance Tulsa’s economy towards shared prosperity and racial equity, as well as having the opportunity to support local emerging developers and entrepreneurs to make their mark on the economic growth of our city.

What current PartnerTulsa project are you most excited about and why?

I am most excited about the Black Wall Street Square townhome project that will soon be under construction near a main thoroughfare in North Tulsa. Simultaneously, it will visually transform the landscape of the area, provide desperately needed affordable housing, spur new housing and commercial development, and pay homage to the resiliency and legacy of Black Wall Street.

What is your favorite place to visit or thing to do in Tulsa?

I truly enjoy spending time with my family, either watching my daughter play at the Gathering Place or catching a nice concert with my husband at Cain’s Ballroom.

What makes Tulsa such a great location for real estate development?

I believe the people of Tulsa make it such a great place for real estate development. I have confidence that Tulsans have a collective desire to rise from the remnants of our troubled past to see a more thriving place for the future generations of Tulsans. Coupled with the tools and resources we are able to deploy to incentivize both residential and commercial real estate development, as well as the moderate cost of living, it makes Tulsa an attractive location to expand development opportunities.

Can you share a fun fact about yourself?

My favorite job (before coming to PartnerTulsa) was working at the Arlington National Cemetery.