Mike Schrum
Terracon Consultants
Current job: Vice President, Director of Special Projects at Terracon Consultants Inc.
Summary of your role in the company: I am Terracon’s operations liaison to our new acquisitions. I start with the due diligence process before closing and work with the acquisition for about 2 years to facilitate successful integration. I also facilitate leadership training as part of the faculty in Terracon’s Employee Development Group.
How I chose my occupation: My mother was the executive secretary to the president of an architectural firm. Because of my relationship with him, I chose to go to NC State and study Civil Engineering.
Years in the business: 39+ Years
My specialization is: Mergers and Acquisitions
A good lead for me is: A good lead for me is introduction to a firm ready for leadership transition with strong second line leadership.
The most satisfying part of my job is: The most satisfying part of my job is seeing an acquisition I have worked with thrive and excel in Terracon’s structure.
Best leadership advice I have been given: In every interaction, you have the opportunity to build trust or erode trust.
Greatest professional achievement: I was honored to receive the Jack Snider Life Time Achievement Award from the Environmental Information Association. I was also honored to receive the inaugural CREW Impact Ward: Men Empowering Women.
Number of years with CREW: 18+ Years
Most significant CREW connection: When we decided to move the Terracon Charlotte office, we chose to interview CREW Charlotte member firms for our broker as well as our architect. The result was a great deal on a building that exactly met our needs and is the envy of the other Terracon offices in our region. Our corporate and regional leadership routinely use our office for large meetings.
Place of birth/hometown: I am an anomaly, I was born and raised in Charlotte.
Number of years in Charlotte: After leaving Charlotte to attend NC State University in 1983, I married and we started a family in Raleigh. We returned to Charlotte in 2000 to raise our children in close proximity with their grandparents.
Family: Wife – Laura (married 38 years, Daughter – Payton (32), Son – Alec (29)
My ideal vacation spot: Earlier this year we celebrated my wife’s birthday by renting a villa on the Amalfi Coast. It was amazing. We love to travel in Europe.
Hobbies/Interests: I love all kinds of live sporting events. I have season tickets to NC State and Carolina Panthers football. A huge Atlanta Braves fan and the Carolina Hurricanes winning the Stanley cup was amazing.
Other professional organizations I belong to: I am an Emeritus Board Member and Past President for the Environmental Information Association.
I wish I could: I wish I could spend more time with my father. He is 88 and we used to travel to sporting events. He is physically unable to do that now and I miss the times we spent together on those trips.
Feel free to include any additional information about yourself that you would like! I have really enjoyed the time I have spent with CREW Charlotte. My travel schedule does not permit me to make as many events as I used to attend. I think CREW Charlotte is an amazing organization and I value the connections that I have made.
Wendi Thom
Stewart Title Guaranty Company
Current job: National Account Executive for Stewart Title Guaranty Company
Summary of your role in the company: As the title insurance and escrow settlement service provider, I am the single point of contact for every transaction, Wendi oversees the process from contract to closing—assuring the transactions are moving efficiently, adhering to timelines, while identifying potential issues before they become obstacles, and delivering the level of service sophisticated clients expect. Her goal is to simplify the process, minimize risk, and provide a seamless closing experience to her clients. Wendi is also responsible for originating, growing and retaining high value relationships with law firms, developers, investors, lenders, brokers and commercial real estate decision makers.
How I chose my occupation: I fell into it. I was a licensed real estate assistant over 30 years ago and a country manager of a title company approached me to come work for them. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into but working weekdays, 9am-5pm, no more working weekends or evenings and a consistent paycheck was very appealing to me, especially being a mom to a young daughter. It has been an amazing career that provides me some of the things that I love: autonomy, flexibility, working with a team and making some long-standing relationships that have become dear to me.
Years in the business: 30 years
My specialization is: I handle all types of transactions and asset types in all 50 states. I have a lot of experience in construction financing transactions, acquisitions and multi-site, multi-state portfolio transactions.
If I was to say I specialized in anything, it would be that I am extremely responsive with communicating with my clients and being intuitive of when a problem might be arising on a transaction and getting ahead of it before it starts a fire drill.
A good lead for me is: CRE Transactional Attorneys, In House Counsel for Developer/Owner/Investors, Whomever decides which title company will handle their title insurance and settlement services on their transactions.
The most satisfying part of my job is: I love working and collaborating in a team environment, where I can offer ideas and help – whether that is through improving processes, making things easier, adding fun to our office or just be a listening ear for someone. What makes me happy as a person in my professional and personal life is being able to help or serve others.
Best leadership advice I have been given: Empathy is one of the most important characteristics of a great leader because leadership is about people, not just performance.
Greatest professional achievement: I’m not one that keeps tabs on or likes to talk about my achievements. A lot of my professional role is graded on how much revenue I bring into my operation. This year has been an epic year for me in regards to revenue but that is a team effort. I am only as good as my team. And I have my clients to thank for trusting me with their business.
Number of years with CREW: 10 years
Most significant CREW connection: Elsa Simaan – she has become my dear friend.
Place of birth/hometown: Palo Alto, CA
Number of years in Charlotte: 5 ½ years
Family: Daughter, Hannah, 35 years old and Son, Grayson, 18 years old
My ideal vacation spot: Tropical blue water, white silky sand, 5 star resort, fun activities, relaxation, spa, learning the culture.
Hobbies/Interests: Gardening, my chickens Duchess & Bunny, learning Mahjong, Pilates, Family Time, Pickleball – Just learning how to be an empty nester after 35 years of having raised children. Wooo hooo
Other professional organizations I belong to: ULI, ICSC
I wish I could: Win the Lottery 😊
Tonya Brandon
TIAA
Current job: COO, Global Real Estate
Summary of your role in the company: Tonya is a results-driven executive and as COO, Global Real Estate within TIAA’s Global Corporate Services team, she drives operational excellence across integrated functions – utilizing predictive data analytics, AI enabled and integrated processes to create impactful outcomes for associates within the workplace.
How I chose my occupation: Accidentally – as a career in CRE wasn’t my intention – but the various and diverse chances to provide solutions and outcomes that optimize use of the workplace are complementary to my unique skill for maximizing team talents and complex problem solving.
Years in the business: 27+
My specialization is: Organizational/operational efficiency and effectiveness
The most satisfying part of my job is: Bringing diverse teams together to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes
Best leadership advice I have been given: Lead w/character – our current TIAA CEO reminds us that we “rent our titles; but we own our character”
Greatest professional achievement: 2025 recipient of CREW Network Distinguished Leader award
Number of years with CREW: 15
Most significant CREW connection: Connections made as committee member of the Athena Leadership Program
Place of birth/hometown: Greensboro, NC
Number of years in Charlotte: 52 (lived also in Raleigh, NC for 10-year period during and just after graduation from NCSU)
Family: Married 26 years to Stanton, (1) son, Hayden, 24-years old; parents live in Charlotte NC; and (1) brother and sister-in-law who live in Santa Clara, CA.
My ideal vacation spot: Wherever there is white sandy beach and crystal clear (blue) water.
Hobbies/Interests: Dancing, Audiobooks, Attending sporting events and concerts with my husband and son.
Other professional organizations I belong to: CoreNet; Globe Street Women of Influence Advisory Board; CHIEF; The Conference Board CRE Council; CCIM; WREIN
I wish I could: Read minds
Chandler Roten
McMillan, PLLC
Current job: Commercial Real Estate and Lending Attorney at McMillan PLLC
Summary of your role in the company: I represent lenders, borrowers, buyers, and sellers in commercial real estate transactions, with a particular focus on real estate financing. My practice includes drafting and negotiating loan documents, reviewing title and survey matters, and helping clients navigate acquisitions, sales and other transactional matters.
How I chose my occupation: I was introduced to commercial real estate during law school and quickly realized I enjoyed the transactional side of the practice and getting to see a deal come together from start to finish.
Years in the business: 2 years as a practicing attorney; I first began working in commercial real estate when I interned with McMillan in 2022.
My specialization is: Commercial real estate and real estate finance, particularly representing financial institutions in acquisition, construction, and other commercial real estate lending transactions.
A good lead for me is: A bank or other lender looking for counsel for a commercial loan, or a business owner, developer, or investor who needs assistance with a commercial real estate transaction.
The most satisfying part of my job is: Helping clients work through complicated issues and getting a transaction across the finish line. I especially enjoy finding practical solutions when an issue comes up late in a deal that could otherwise delay closing.
Best leadership advice I have been given: Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need or advocate for yourself.
Greatest professional achievement: Building a practice in commercial real estate in the city where I grew up.
Number of years with CREW: 2 years.
Most significant CREW connection: Serving on the Special Events Committee and being part of a group of young commercial real estate professionals that Lisa Vogel brought together through CREW, which she dubbed “Next Gen.” Both have been great ways to get more involved and build relationships with women across the commercial real estate industry.
Place of birth/hometown: Waxhaw, North Carolina
Number of years in Charlotte: 25 (my whole life, minus the years I spent in Columbia for law school!)
Family: Soon-to-be husband, Harrison, and Puff (our Pomeranian).
My ideal vacation spot: Anywhere warm!
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, trying new restaurants, and attempting to learn how to golf.
I wish I could: Travel somewhere new every month.
