Welcome to the CREDA Bay Area Podcast
The CREDA San Francisco Bay Area Podcast brings together the capital markets leaders shaping the future of commercial real estate in our region. Each episode features thoughtful, in-depth conversations with the investors, lenders, developers, and policymakers influencing capital allocation across the Bay Area.
Move beyond the headlines to explore real-world deal structures, debt and equity trends, valuation dynamics, entitlement considerations, construction costs, and the public policy decisions that directly impact underwriting and long-term returns. Explore the intersection of politics and real estate while being part of a community that extends beyond the airwaves.
Catch up on the Latest Episode
Fremont has become one of California's leading centers for advanced manufacturing, AI infrastructure, and industrial development. In this episode, Drew Hess sits down with Donovan Lazaro, Economic Development Director for the City of Fremont, to explore the city's remarkable growth story and the strategies helping it attract investment, create jobs, and support next-generation industry.
From record leasing activity and advanced manufacturing to power infrastructure, robotics, and economic development, Donovan shares how Fremont's collaborative, business-friendly approach has positioned the city at the forefront of California's manufacturing future. The conversation also examines what it takes to compete for investment in today's market and why manufacturing remains critical to the long-term success of California's economy.
Episode Library
Meet Our Podcast Host: Drew Hess
Drew Hess has served as the host of the CREDA SFBA Podcast since 2025, leading conversations with industry leaders and innovators across the commercial real estate community.
Drew is the founder of Layline and has been one of the most active infill industrial investors in California and Seattle over the past two decades. Most recently, he served as Regional Senior Vice President at Duke Realty, where he built and led a 12-person team and expanded the public REIT’s Northern California and Seattle portfolio by more than 7 million square feet, representing $1.7 billion in investments across 22 transactions.
His career includes leadership roles across institutional real estate investment, including Senior Director at American Realty Advisors, Vice President of Investments at Prudential Real Estate Investors, and Vice President of Acquisitions at AMB Property (now Prologis). Drew began his career in real estate audit and advisory at Arthur Andersen LLP.
Drew holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Accounting specialization from the University of Colorado Boulder. He is a Certified Public Accountant in California and a LEED® Accredited Professional. A former President and Board Member of NAIOP SFBA, he currently serves on the Real Estate Executive Council for the Bay Area chapter of Make-A-Wish.