In the inaugural episode of Elevated Access’ third season, Chad Hughes is joined by Senior Real Estate Infrastructure Advisor Gordon MacNair. Gordon has spent time with the RWA and worked across more than six countries. He shares advice along with the similarities and differences between the jurisdictions.

Gordon worked in the BC Ministry of Highways and later for Ontario Hydro, among other companies in his career, which has given him great experience in acquiring land for major land assemblies. It was when he was working for the City of Ottawa that he became heavily involved with the International Railway Association as a volunteer before moving up to become the international president. In his presidential capacity, he has worked alongside people from the UK, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria, Mexico, the US, and Canada.

Chad and Gordon discuss the similarities in the industry that exist across different countries and how the work is handled. Gordon also explains the significant differences between the varied jurisdictions, with a not insignificant difference being in terminology. Gordon shares which differences he sees as positives that he’d like to see adopted elsewhere, differing safety and risk situations, and some key lessons he has learned that he imparts as solid advice to those looking to similarly work internationally.

“In the past, whenever I think about land assembly, I think you're putting together land for subdivisions or it's for commercial development, industrial development, residential development or whatever. But a lot of countries, especially the UK as well as Australia, they refer to land assembly in terms of you're putting projects together for your infrastructure real estate, whether it's the highways or whether it's the hydro lines or transmission lines, whatever the case may be. So again, a little nuance there with regards to the difference when you're talking about terminology.” - Gordon MacNair

About Gordon MacNair:

Gordon E. MacNair is a Senior Real Estate Infrastructure Advisor employed with MacNair Consulting Inc. His former position was with the City of Ottawa as the Director of the Corporate Real Estate Office where his team oversaw all real estate matters for the City of Ottawa. He is also a certified lecturer for the IRWA and the AIC and has published numerous articles on infrastructure real estate matters. Gord served as the International President of the IRWA and is currently serving as the Chair of the International Relations Committee. Mr. MacNair has taught courses and seminars on infrastructure real estate issues throughout Canada and the United States as well as Australia, South Africa, and the UK.

Episode Clarification Notes:

1. Title clarification: Gordon was the Real Estate Manager, not Property Manager as stated. He started off as a Property Agent, then was promoted to Real Estate Manager.
2. Job clarification: Gordon served as the COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Ottawa Community Lands Development Corporation, not with the COO as stated.
3. Andrea Carolan clarification: Gordon worked with Andrea, not for her as stated.
4. Book clarification: A book was mentioned as being by Dr. James McKellar but James is not a Dr (PhD), he is a Professor. The book is by Professor James McKellar. Gordon served as the COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Ottawa Community Lands Development Corporation, not with the COO as stated.

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Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin

Gordon MacNair | Senior Real Estate Infrastructure Advisor at MacNair Consulting Inc: linkedin