Brandon Byrd

About Brandon Byrd

I am a results-driven leader with 10+ years of experience managing complex property portfolios, facilities operations, and real estate growth strategies. My career began in facilities and operations, where I built a strong foundation in property management, compliance, and large-scale project delivery. Over time, I’ve expanded into real estate strategy — balancing day-to-day operational excellence with long-range planning, site selection, and lease negotiation.Today, I oversee a 43-property portfolio totaling 1.58M sq. ft. for America’s Thrift Stores, which includes 35 retail stores, 5 fixed donation centers, and multiple warehouses. I manage facilities operations, property compliance, and vendor partnerships while also driving strategic growth initiatives. I lead lease negotiations, budget oversight, and site evaluations to support our expansion pipeline, which includes 5 new retail stores and 5–8 donation centers projected for 2026.What sets me apart is my ability to connect the dots between real estate strategy and facilities execution. I bring proven success in reducing costs through energy management systems, streamlining operations with centralized maintenance platforms, and ensuring portfolio-wide compliance and safety. I also lead a direct report and contribute at the senior management level, partnering closely with executives to align real estate and facilities strategies with organizational goals.Passionate about scaling organizations through smart property management and disciplined real estate planning. My long-term focus is on senior leadership roles in real estate and facilities, where I can continue delivering portfolio growth, operational efficiency, and strategic expansion.

Experience

1. Manager of Real Estate & Property Management

   America\'s Thrift Stores

   Aug 2020 — Present · Birmingham, AL, US

   Developed and successfully executed an initiative to remodel 15 retail store locations in 17 months to reach new demographics, thereby growing overall company revenue• Project manager for new construction/remodeling for 43 properties ranging from Inventoried and mapped 253 HVAC units for the company• Manage a diverse 43-property portfolio totaling 1,586,466 sq. ft, including retail, warehouse, and donation center facilities.• Oversee all facilities operations, including maintenance, safety compliance, vendor management, and capital projects.• Conduct annual property audits and regular inspections to ensure adherence to safety standards, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.• Implemented a centrally controlled energy management system across the portfolio, reducing utility costs and environmental impact.• Designed and launched a company-wide facilities portal, improving response times, reducing downtime, and streamlining issue resolution.• Prepare and oversee property budgets, forecasts, and variance reports to monitor financial performance and control expenses.• Lead lease negotiations, renewals, and terminations, securing terms that align with organizational growth strategies.• Support the company growth planning strategy, including a 2026 pipeline of 5 new retail stores and 5–8 donation centers.• Assisted in driving portfolio growth from 18 stores in 2020 to 35 stores by the end of 2025• Comfortable using retail site selection & consumer analytics platforms such as Buxton or Kalibrate• Manage 1 direct report and collaborate cross-functionally with senior leadership teams, including Construction, Operations, Donations and Store Planning.• Serve as an active member of the Senior Management, Leadership, and New Store Development Teams, shaping company-wide real estate and facilities strategy.

Education

• The University of Alabama

  Bachelor's degree