Since joining Matthews Real Estate Investment Services’ Dallas office in 2015 as a senior associate, Andrew Gross has steadily climbed the ranks. Eleven years later, he has reached the executive office as the senior managing director of Dallas—the youngest person in company history to earn the title.
During his tenure, Gross has closed more than 200 transactions totaling over $600 million. He has also helped transform Matthews’ Dallas office into the firm’s top-performing location. The office has grown from 19 to 89 agents, relocated its headquarters to a 13,000-square-foot space at The Quad in Uptown, and increased revenue by 300 percent, outperforming Matthews’ 30 other offices nationwide.
As part of D CEO’s 2026 Commercial Real Estate Awards, Gross spoke about the firm’s growth, the leadership principles that have guided his career, and how artificial intelligence is poised to reshape the commercial real estate industry.
D CEO: What are you most proud of in terms of achievements this past year?
“The culture we’ve built in Dallas is everything to me because it mirrors the market itself. By bringing in people who reflect DFW’s resilience, tenacity, and professionalism, we ensure that the way we represent Matthews is just as impactful as the region we cover. And the results have followed. Since taking over Dallas in 2020, we’ve grown revenue by 300 percent. In 2025, we were up nearly 50 percent from a record-setting 2024, and today we’re the top office among Matthews’ 30 offices. We’re breaking into a highly competitive market defined by legacy talent and recently signed a 13,000-square-foot lease at The Quad to nearly double our footprint in one of the state’s most prolific office environments.
“I’ve hired 87 of the 89 people in this office—over 20 of whom were promoted across the platform, reinforcing that our upward mobility wasn’t just financial, it was developmental. I don’t take that responsibility lightly. People matter. Their voice matters. When you give good people a platform, they lead with heart, not just hustle.
“As we continue to grow and find success in this market, I want our office to be intentional about giving back because it’s important. Over the last year, we’ve built real momentum around community service, working to make it a part of who we are.
“Last year, there was a tragic flood that devastated Central Texas, and one of the hardest-hit places was Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp. These were elementary and middle school girls, and tragically, many of them lost their lives. As someone who’s proud to have the privilege of being a husband and a father of two daughters, it hit home in a way that’s hard to put into words.
“We raised roughly $10,000 to support the impacted families and the community, as well as Kerr County flood relief efforts. What matters most to me is that we didn’t look away. We chose to band together and do something for the greater good. Those families, those girls, and that community deserve to be remembered.
“The holidays can be a tough time for many people, so our office spent a week volunteering at a local food bank to serve people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. I’m proud to say everyone in our office took the time to go because they genuinely care.
“As a leader, that’s all you can ask for. When people care like that, you know you’ve built something real. Day by day, Matthews is becoming a true staple in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, and I’m honored to lead a group that embodies this city’s grit so authentically.”
D CEO: What’s your key leadership strategy or the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?
“Integrity has more power than money. The impact of that shows up in the relationships you build and the people you lead. Commercial real estate is a relationship-driven business, and the best way to have success starts with truly having other people’s best interests in mind. That has to come genuinely.
“When you lead with integrity and put others first, success will follow. I heard a long time ago that you only have one reputation in this business, so it’s important to hold that reputation in high regard. Do right by everyone around you. Treat people with respect. Be authentic. Care about people and have strong integrity while doing so.”
D CEO: If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be?
“Commercial real estate is a legacy industry. Business has been conducted the same way for decades, and you feel that every day. The problem is that it doesn’t necessarily align with how AI is impacting the next generation of professionals.
“I’d love to see more of the industry take chances on the opportunities in front of them, instead of getting stuck doing things the same way. That’s something I really value about Matthews. We’re not afraid to embrace change and lead from the front. Use the AI tools. Use the tech advances. Lean into it instead of shying away from it.”
D CEO: What’s the most interesting trend you’re seeing in commercial real estate?
“Even though adoption is still uneven, the traction from the people who have embraced technology and AI has been incredible to watch in real time. You can feel the shift happening. Brokers and firms that lean into the tools are moving faster, working smarter, and staying ahead of the curve.
“The interesting part is how it’s blending with the fundamentals of this business. The tools are changing the pace, but the relationship side still matters just as much. The brokers who lean into technology and still lead with trust, communication, and accountability are creating a new standard.
“It’s been exciting seeing the next generation lean into it so naturally. I’ve gotten to know many talented people in the DFW commercial real estate community, and they’re not hesitating. They’re using the tools, adapting fast, and raising the pace of the business.”
D CEO: What has you most excited about the future?
“This market rewards resilience and grit, and it keeps finding ways to grow, even through headwinds. That’s a big reason we’ve been able to build what we’ve built here, and it’s why I’m excited about what’s next.
“We’re carrying real momentum forward. We nearly doubled our revenue off a record-setting year, and we did it while navigating macro and microeconomic challenges. At the same time, we saw more than 25 agents earn promotions in our office, and that’s the kind of growth that matters, because it means people are moving up and building careers.
“And we’re investing in the future in a real way. Nearly doubling our footprint in DFW wasn’t about a headline; it was about committing to where we’re going.
“The best part is the people. Getting to know so many talented professionals in the DFW community has made me confident this market is in great hands, and I’m excited to be part of building the next generation of leaders coming into commercial real estate.”
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