Adam Barrett is joining Carlson Partners as a director, and brings with him considerable experience and a passion for the helping companies find spaces that meet more than just square footage requirements. He’s tapped into the rapidly changing dynamics of the downtown market, and he knows how to find a “home” that’s fit your company’s culture.

Early in his career, Adam helped launch the concept of high-end, full-service packages for downtown Minneapolis tenants, incorporating conference centers, fitness centers, on-site medical clinics, and more into corporate spaces. Seven years in IT staffing and consulting have given him even more insight into the importance of well-defined corporate culture for successful teams.

Adam is a lifelong Minneapolis resident and graduate of Gustavus Adolphus with connections to communities across the Twin Cities. He’s excited to work in downtown Minneapolis, but it’s Lake Harriet that is his “place of zen.” He makes the most of this urban oasis, running, kayaking, swimming, and enjoying popcorn as only the Lake Harriet bandshell snack bar can make it.

Amy Carlson joined the Carlson Partners (formally Carlson Commercial) team in 2015 as the CEO. She is a seasoned retail expert who brings a strategic, long-term approach to every tenant representation. Most notable, Amy has an exceptional knack for matching retail tenants – from small shops to Fortune 500 companies – with maximum-value spaces.

Amy has worked in the real estate industry since 1998 and obtained her Minnesota real estate license in 2005. Her energy and enthusiasm quickly led her to commercial real estate. Many well-known retail brands have relied on Amy’s visionary skills for right-space solutions.

Amy is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Previously, she worked for Colliers International (formerly Welsh) and is a member of ICSC, MNCAR and MSCA. Amy and her husband Ted (also with Carlson Commercial) welcomed Danielle in 2013 and Cody in 2016. Away from work, Amy enjoys family and friends, playing tennis and cabin time.

A SPECIALIZED COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FIRM FOCUSED ON TENANT REPRESENTATION
There’s more to commercial real estate than negotiating price. There’s spot-on strategy, instinct and smarts. Carlson Partners real estate experts deliver it all, with a loyalty to Tenants, not Landlords. 

We find space solutions for Tenants throughout the United States and beyond. Using enviable experience (55-plus collective years) and broad networks, we help meet your location, operational, cultural and financial objectives now – and into the future. Here’s how we can help: 

• Business Needs Analysis 
• Market Research 
• Price Negotiation 
• Contract Language 
• Transaction Management 
• Vendor Recommendations and Selection 
• Bid Comparisons 

THE TARGET: OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE 
We search, dig, and devour the real estate landscape to find a space that meets your goals and timeline. Whether you’re in emerging technology, manufacturing, distribution or professional services, we’ll create an individual customized strategy to support your current and future business needs. Our goal: to find the right space and structure a real estate deal that maximizes every square foot of space. 

A graduate of the UW-Madison real estate program, in 1999 Ted started working with Welsh Companies, immersing himself in the commercial real estate industry.  Ted has earned his CCIM & SIOR designations. He also sits on the Board of Directors for Lifeworks.

Away from work, Ted is an avid hunter, water sports enthusiast, outdoorsman and family man.  He and Amy are the proud parents of Danielle and Cody, and two black labs, Cabo and Hank.

Mike is a Vice President who has been with Carlson Partners (formally Carlson Commercial) since 2013. Mike, who specializes in tenant and buyer representation, is a tireless and diligent advocate for his clients. His market knowledge, discipline and aggressive negotiation skills yield consistently favorable results. He’s developed strong relationships with many of his clients, leading to considerable repeat (and referral) business.

Mike is a licensed real estate broker in Minnesota, and is a member of the Minnesota Association of Commercial Realtors (MNCAR). He was promoted to Senior Associate in 2016.

Mike graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Political Science, and received a J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Mike lives in downtown Minneapolis with his wife and infant son. When he’s not working, he stays busy supporting various philanthropic causes, and spending time with his growing family!

Stephanie Lee brings a new level of strategic expertise to the Carlson Partners team. With more than 15 years of experience in corporate America as a consultant and analyst, she has deep knowledge of strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and business turnarounds. She also has extensive experience in asset acquisition and property management as an investor, giving her a unique understanding of Carlson Partners’s clients’ challenges. Creating alignment between real estate strategies and business strategies, she brings big picture perspective to every deal.

An active member of the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors (MNCAR) and CoreNet Global, Stephanie also serves on the Emerging Broker Committee and the Commercial Real Estate Diversity Collaborative Events Committee.

Stephanie graduated from Monash University in Australia with both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree. She also holds an MBA from University of St. Thomas and is currently pursuing her Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.

Connor Nichols is a real estate professional with the mind and drive of an entrepreneur. He started young, working as a laborer on residential and commercial job sites in high school, so he knows this business from the ground up. That experience expanded into expanded into leasing, property management, investment sales and development. With five years of real estate sales experience, he’s joining our team with a running start.

Connor used his residential experience to build a tenant representation career, which he has pursued successfully over the last five years. He’s following in his family’s footsteps and has learned a lot from them about how to advise companies and how to match business strategy to real estate strategy. Connor excels at building relationships and advises clients without prejudice regarding the time, effort or personal gain. He works hard to make his clients’ transactions as seamless as possible, and he treats every engagement as his top priority. Connor’s skill set and approach are an excellent fit with the Carlson Commercial team.

Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Connor enjoys taking advantage of the Minnesota’s great outdoors. His favorite hobbies include golfing, fishing, and upland hunting with his two hunting dogs, Puca and Olly.

Tim Olsen joined Carlson Partners (formally Carlson Commercial) in 2014. A 12-year industry veteran, he is an expert in tenant representation and his highly-specialized and tailored approach save his clients time and money. Tim focuses heavily on understanding his clients’ long-term business strategy which allows him to incorporate a more strategic approach to their real estate requirements

Tim brings his experience and expertise to Carlson Partners day-to-day operations, driving considerable value via his extensive market knowledge and organizational skills.

Tim is a graduate of St. Cloud State University, with dual degrees in Economics and Communications. In addition to being a Minnesota licensed real estate broker, Tim is a member of the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors (MNCAR), the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and has earned an SIOR designation.

Tim enjoys bow hunting, upland hunting, competitive hockey and giving back to his community. In 2016, Tim was selected as Minnesota’s Twin Cities Finest through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Minnesota. This honor is given to 25 of the city’s most accomplished men and women based on their involvement in the community and success as a professional.

Nick joined Carlson Partners (formally Carlson Commercial) in 2016 after working with City Center Real Estate Services in commercial property management.  Nick is looking forward to bringing his knowledge of the Minneapolis market and a relentless work ethic to help Carlson Commercial continue to grow and assist their clients.

Nick graduated in 2013 and shortly after met with industry veterans to learn about the commercial real estate industry.  Nick was provided with a background of the industry and a few different suggestions of how to break into it.  From there Nick landed a job in the vibrant and up and coming North Loop neighborhood where he was a part of the redevelopment and record breaking sale of the TractorWorks building in 2014.  Soon after Nick was promoted and moved to the Plaza Seven Office Tower in downtown Minneapolis.  Once again he was an integral part of the redevelopment and sale of the Class A office tower in 2016.  Both buildings were under 60% occupied prior to being redeveloped and just over 95% occupied at the time of sale.  Having worked directly with multiple landlord’s, Nick is able to bring a wealth of knowledge to his clients and provide them with a strategic approach to best fit their needs.

Nick graduated from Winona State University with a BA in Business Administration and Human Resources.  Nick enjoys golfing, bicycling, watching sports and hanging out with family in his free time.

Jess joined Carlson Partners in 2017 after working with City Center Real Estate Services in commercial property management.  At Carlson, she is focused on marketing, lease administration, prospecting and support for the Carlson Commercial team.

Jess was drawn to real estate at an early age from her father, Tim. She enjoys the fast past work environment and the constant change the real estate industry has to offer. Jess is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, where she studied Sports Management and Public Relations. Outside of work, Jess enjoys hanging out with her family, relaxing by a lake and hanging out with her dog, Murphy.

Tim joined Carlson Partners in 2019. Tim brings a data-driven understanding of the commercial real estate market to Carlson Partners. As a researcher at CRBE, he delved into current market information, gathering data on properties, transactions, tenants and new developments in order to develop insights into market conditions.

When Tim isn’t crunching numbers or making deals, he’s playing softball, training for power lifting, or hanging out with his German shepherd mix rescue pup.