A Newly Minted Civil Engineer Starts a Career in Construction Management
After receiving an undergraduate degree in civil engineering from Clemson University, Brian McFee was hired as a Construction Manager (CM) by CBG Building Company headquarters located in Arlington, Virginia, a leading general contractor specializing in multifamily construction that has built over 124,000 units nationwide. The role of a CM is narrow: singularly focused on completing one multifamily project under a contract with the developer-owner. While initially the individual sticks and bricks were exciting, McFee eventually wanted to learn more about the trends and economics behind the multifamily buildings that he was constructing. But he knew that his undergraduate degree in engineering had not prepared him for that understanding
Fortunately, McFee's employer selected him to enroll in the RE3 program offered by the Costello College of Business Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship at George Mason University. It was a 3-day crash course in real estate development taught by faculty from George Mason's MS in Real Estate Development Program. RE3 opened McFee's eyes to a new world beyond construction: project proforma modeling driven by unit mix, rent, and market feasibility.
"RE3 gave me a strong foundation in what actually makes a project financially viable—and I found myself wanting more," says McFee.
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Moving From Construction Management to Real Estate Development
Upon completing RE3, McFee realized just how much he wanted to expand his knowledge of development strategy and financial modeling. He began researching master's programs in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. He had been impressed with Costello's MS in real estate development faculty in RE3 and decided to start his research there. In meeting Costello staff and students, he found a strong focus on real-world application rather than academic theory; and a surprising student body filled with seasoned real estate professionals of all types (finance, legal, architecture, etc.) that enriched the classroom experience. He applied to the the master's program and was accepted.
McFee chose Costello's MS in Real Estate Development Program because it aligned closely with his professional trajectory. With an undergraduate degree in civil engineering and a role as a construction manager at CBG, he had already begun bridging the gap between construction execution and development strategy.
The schedule fit seamlessly into his life as a working professional and father. With one evening class per week on Tuesday nights, the structure allowed him to balance his career, education, and family life.
“When I started the program, I already had one child. The balance was critical—and [Costello College of Business] made it possible. It was an easy sell to my partner, and ultimately the right move for our family and my career.”
— Brian McFee, MS Real Estate Development ’19
Becoming a Professional Real Estate Developer
While Costello introduced Brian to macroeconomics and the importance of a mile-high perch to understanding real estate market movements, one of his most lasting lessons came from professor Mark Hassinger, who emphasized the micro level: the importance of always "having your antenna up" and paying attention to small signals in the local market to identify opportunities before they become obvious to everyone.
A strong professional network is important in any field, but especially crucial in real estate, where the developer must assemble and coordinate at least six different professions to create a successful project. The MS in Real Estate Development Program excels at embedding its students into a network, including other students and over 30 successful real estate leaders in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area who serve on the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship Board, which was created by the MS in Real Estate Development Program to bring industry mentorship to the students. It works. McFee jokes that the "George Mason Mafia" is real. He reports regularly collaborating with other George Mason grads on deals, saying "the shared MS in real estate development foundation creates an unspoken trust and alignment."
Looking back, McFee feels the program gave him a head start that accelerated his career development dramatically. While initially the individual sticks and bricks were exciting, McFee eventually wanted to learn more about the trends and economics behind the multifamily buildings that he was constructing; but he knew that his undergraduate degree in engineering had not prepared him for that understanding.
"At George Mason's MS in Real Estate Development Program, we definitely had a chip on our shoulder," says McFee. "As a brand-new program, we felt disrespected by students in the legacy programs like Hopkins and Georgetown. But in the annual NAIOP Collegiate Challenge, the George Mason team was clearly superior to Georgetown and Hopkins and consistently took home the first place cup."
Brian McFee as a Vice President at CBG
Upon graduation from the MS in Real Estate Development Program in fall 2019, McFee was quickly promoted to vice president at CBG. Since the promotion, McFee has overseen the construction of over 1,500 multifamily homes across multiple projects throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. Brian worked hard for this position, but recognizes he had help.
"The MS in Real Estate Development Program allowed me to move from a limited project manager role to become a vice president," says McFee. As a VP my responsibilities have greatly expanded: from monitoring daily construction on only one project to building a book of business, managing preconstruction, and strategically guiding new developments before they break ground."
We don't think Brian McFee is stopping here!