From where Grand Rapids was to where it’s going this episode dives into the evolution of the city through one of its most influential developers.

Sam Cummings has spent nearly three decades preserving Grand Rapids’ history while reshaping its future. Often referred to as the city’s leading champion of urban real estate, Sam has revitalized some of the community’s most iconic and long-neglected buildings including pioneering the city’s first office-to-multifamily conversion.

With a deep passion for history, art, and architecture, Sam approaches development as more than business it’s stewardship. He continues driving new vision, vibrancy, and vitality into the urban core.

This conversation explores legacy, risk, long-term conviction, and what it truly takes to “turn into the torpedo” when betting on a city’s future.

In this episode, we sit down with the one and only Shari Feldman, celebrating 20 years as Executive Director of Commercial Alliance of Realtors West Michigan (CARWM). Shari shares her journey, her leadership philosophy, and how CARWM has evolved into one of the most influential commercial real estate organizations in the country. We dive into market trends, the power of collaboration, and what’s next for brokers, developers, and the West Michigan CRE community. Insightful, candid, and full of perspective—this is a must-listen conversation with a true industry leader.

Join T.J. Ward and Andrew Gyorkos of Kalamazoo Commercial Real Estate for a focused conversation on Southwest Michigan’s commercial market. With deep experience in brokerage, leasing, investment, and development, they share practical insights on deal structuring, market trends, and what investors and business owners need to know to succeed in today’s environment.