About

Who We Are

Shaping the Future of Single-Tenant Industrial Facilities Across Texas and the Southeast U.S.

The Welcome Group, a leading force in Texas’s real estate industry, combines over a century of experience in commercial real estate with a strategic focus on the development and acquisition of industrial assets across key U.S. growth markets. Our expertise – covering ownership, investment, and operations – is particularly strong in structuring, negotiating, and finalizing transactions. We actively seek opportunities that offer significant value, aiming to enhance them through effective asset management post-acquisition.

The Welcome Group, a leading force in Texas’s real estate industry, combines over a century of experience in commercial real estate with a strategic focus on the development and acquisition of industrial assets across key U.S. growth markets. Our expertise – covering ownership, investment, and operations – is particularly strong in structuring, negotiating, and finalizing transactions. We actively seek opportunities that offer significant value, aiming to enhance them through effective asset management post-acquisition.

Experienced

We’ve been around the block. Since our humble beginnings in 1952, we’ve navigated the evolving landscape of the Greater Houston commercial real estate market and beyond. From pioneering milestones like developing the sixth Marriott hotel in the world in 1967 and holding a stake in the groundbreaking Houston Astrodome in the ’60s and ’70s, our commitment to excellence in the commercial real estate sector is enduring.

Community Oriented

We are relentless in our pursuit of evolution and we do it by elevating ourselves, our services, and our impact with unwavering determination.

Tailored Solutions

We recognize that no two projects and businesses are alike. Every project and business presents its own distinct challenges, requiring tailored solutions. With our comprehensive range of services and extensive expertise in each domain, every client can trust us to unlock the hidden potential of their capital.

Forward Looking

We are always in “acquisition mode,” actively and aggressively seeking to acquire existing occupied single-tenant properties and portfolios throughout Texas and Southeast the United States.

Meet The Team

Welcome Wilson, Sr.
Chairman 1998-2024

Welcome Wilson, Jr.
President & CEO

Craig G. Wilson
Executive Vice President & COO

Cody Smith
Chief Financial Officer

Ralph H. Fite
Sr. Vice President of Finance

Nancy Bartolini

Nancy Bartolini
Leasing Assistant & Marketing/ Research Coordinator

Cole Bercher

Cole Bercher
Sr. Associate

Brad Berry

Brad Berry
Design-Build Director

Ryan Breaux

Ryan Breaux
Acquisitions Analyst Southeast Region

Elan Britt

Elan Britt
Corporate Controller

Jenny Drago

Jenny Drago
Financial Analyst

Lorraine Farrell

Lorraine Farrell
Treasury Operations Manager

Robert Fredrick

Robert Fredrick
FP&A Analyst

Jeremy Frey

Jeremy Frey
Property Accounting Manager

Cindy Harrell

Cindy Harrell
Staff Accountant

Shauna Jones

Shauna Jones
Executive Assistant to the
President & CEO

Ted Kakambouras

Ted Kakambouras
Acquisitions Director of Southeast Region

Loni Lor

Loni Lor
Corporate Accounting Manager

Priti Mehta

Priti Mehta
Acquisitions Analyst

Lilliana Olmos

Lilliana Olmos
Executive Administrator to the EVP/COO

Marcella Olmos

Marcella Olmos
Administrative Assistant

Reed Stanley

Reed Stanley
Acquisitions Analyst

Roni Tate

Roni Tate
Director of Property Management

Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor
Sr. Acquisitions Associate

Brittany Vasquez

Brittany Vasquez
Sr. Property Manager

Ryan Wasaff

Ryan Wasaff
Director of Development

Matthew Wolf

Matthew Wolf
Staff Accountant

Organizations We Work With

We recognize that no two projects and businesses are alike. Every project and business presents its own distinct challenges, requiring tailored solutions. With our comprehensive range of services and extensive expertise in each domain, every client can trust us to unlock the hidden potential of their capital.

We recognize that no two projects and businesses are alike. Every project and business presents its own distinct challenges, requiring tailored solutions. With our comprehensive range of services and extensive expertise in each domain, every client can trust us to unlock the hidden potential of their capital.

As part of Dexter Stamping Company’s corporate strategy, we recently entered into a sale-leaseback of our Tennessee facility with the Welcome Group as we looked to unlock the value of our corporate real estate. We found the Welcome Group’s team to be fair in negotiations, responsive, and we look to build a long-term relationship with the Welcome Group.

Dennis Nystrom

CEO, Dexter Stamping Company, LLC

Choate Construction Company has truly enjoyed serving and working with Welcome Group. Welcome Group is genuine in leading projects with a team mindset, as they seek input/needs of all team members, maintain a sense of urgency and clarity, and tackle challenges head-on. Welcome Group representatives are consistently responsive, fair, positive, and action-oriented. I value the trust Welcome Group has placed in Choate, and we look forward to growing the relationship and building exceptional projects.

Seth Ellington

Vice President/Division Manager, Choate Construction Company

Charities and Community Involvement

Our company proudly extends its support to a diverse array of organizations that enrich and uplift our community. From preserving the rich heritage of Texas through contributions to the Remember the Alamo Foundation and Friends of the Texas Historical Foundation, to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow through partnerships with the Texas Business Hall of Fame and the Jack Valenti School of Communications at the University of Houston, we are committed to fostering a bright and promising future. Additionally, we stand alongside the University of Houston Athletic Foundation in promoting sportsmanship and excellence in athletics, and with the Texas Higher Education Foundation in advancing educational opportunities for all. Our dedication to service extends beyond borders, with contributions to global initiatives such as UNICEF, alongside local efforts like supporting the South Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts and addressing hunger through the Houston Food Bank. Furthermore, we celebrate the vibrant culture and traditions of Texas by backing events like the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Through these partnerships and commitments, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities, embodying the spirit of compassion and generosity.

Our company proudly extends its support to a diverse array of organizations that enrich and uplift our community. From preserving the rich heritage of Texas through contributions to the Remember the Alamo Foundation and Friends of the Texas Historical Foundation, to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow through partnerships with the Texas Business Hall of Fame and the Jack Valenti School of Communications at the University of Houston, we are committed to fostering a bright and promising future. Additionally, we stand alongside the University of Houston Athletic Foundation in promoting sportsmanship and excellence in athletics, and with the Texas Higher Education Foundation in advancing educational opportunities for all. Our dedication to service extends beyond borders, with contributions to global initiatives such as UNICEF, alongside local efforts like supporting the South Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts and addressing hunger through the Houston Food Bank. Furthermore, we celebrate the vibrant culture and traditions of Texas by backing events like the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Through these partnerships and commitments, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities, embodying the spirit of compassion and generosity.

"We appreciate Welcome Group's partnership in strengthening Durham Public Schools as a part of our Business Leaders for Public Education. Together, we are building a stronger Durham where students are well-prepared for success in career and life."

Matt Sears

Chief of Partnerships, DPS Foundation

We are profoundly grateful to the Welcome Group and their president & CEO, Welcome Wilson Jr., for their generous donation to the Remember the Alamo Foundation. This significant contribution supports the Alamo and reinforces our commitment to preserving and enhancing this historic site for future generations. The Welcome Group’s generosity will help us continue our mission to honor the legacy of the Shrine of Texas Liberty and educate visitors about its importance in our shared history.

Dr. Kate Rogers

Executive Director, Remember The Alamo Foundation

Timeline

1952

E.E. Jack Wilson, father of Welcome Wilson Sr. and Jack E. Wilson, invested in farm and ranch property in North Houston and East Texas.

1957

After five years of federal service, Jack and Welcome Wilson, Sr. became real estate developers with their first project, Jamaica Beach in Galveston.

1964

By the time of E.E. Wilson’ death, the Wilson family owned 100 parcels of land in four counties of Texas including 1,000 acres in Athens, Texas.

1967

The Wilsons developed the sixth Marriott in the world by the Astrodome in Houston, TX. They owned it and the Marriotts managed it.

1995

The Wilson family started developing single-tenant industrial buildings.

1998

The Wilson family purchased GSL Constructors, Ltd. from Gustave S. Levey.

2002

Portfolio reached 30 facilities.

2004

The company passed one million square feet of properties. A landlord company, GSL Industrial Partners, and later GSL Industrial Holdings, was formed to hold the property after construction was completed. Name changed to Welcome Group, LLC.

2014

Welcome Group portfolio grew to include complicated laboratories, integrated manufacturing facilities and special purpose facilities with pits, massive cranes and extremely high-power availability.

2015

As developments got larger and larger, partners were brought in to provide the capital. At first, such partners were friends and family but later became more institutional-grade investors.

2019

Welcome Group partnered with Almanac Realty with a goal to grow our portfolio to a billion dollars in assets.

News

Real Estate Developer Passes Square Footage Milestone

WELCOME GROUP NOW OWNS MORE THAN 5 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF INDUSTRIAL SPACE IN TEXAS HOUSTON, Texas — September 22, 2020 — Through a series of recent developments and acquisitions, Welcome Group, LLC, now has more…

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Welcome Group Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of Houston, San Antonio and South Carolina Industrial Properties

HOUSTON, TX – Welcome Group, the single-tenant real estate developer specializing in manufacturing, lab, warehouse and distribution facilities, has expanded its burgeoning portfolio by acquiring five properties, including two highly-visible projects in Sugar Land and Pearland…

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Two San Antonio Industrial Properties Acquired by Houston’s Welcome Group

SAN ANTONIO, TX – A pair of San Antonio industrial buildings have been acquired by Welcome Group, the second and third properties in the market purchased by the Houston-based single-tenant real estate developer specializing in manufacturing,…

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Looking Forward

We are in “acquisition mode,” actively and aggressively seeking to acquire existing occupied, single-tenant properties and portfolios throughout Texas and Southeast United States.