Partners Real Estate has hired land specialist Tommy LeBlanc as an Equity Partner at its Houston headquarters. LeBlanc brings more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience and over $1 billion in career transactions, most recently leading the Greater Houston land group at MLB Commercial Real Estate.
Joining him are Vice President John-Michael Kamel and Senior Associate Blake Steele, completing a team that has worked together on land assignments for years.
Key facts
- Tommy LeBlanc joins as Equity Partner with 20+ years of commercial real estate experience
- Career transaction volume exceeds $1 billion
- Ranked fourth on Houston Business Journal's Heavy Hitters list in 2025
- Client roster includes Hines, CenterPoint Energy, Johnson Development, Beazer Homes, Wood Partners
- Spent a decade at Avison Young, rising to Principal in land and capital markets
Why this matters
Land brokerage demands a distinct skill set—understanding entitlements, site feasibility, and development feasibility while maintaining relationships across a concentrated ownership community. Brokers who accumulate $1 billion in transaction volume have essentially mapped every significant land owner and developer in their market. That intelligence transfers with LeBlanc to Partners.
The hire signals Partners' intent to compete for institutional land assignments alongside traditional office, industrial, and retail brokerages. For developers and landowners working in Southeast Texas, this creates another full-service platform option capable of handling a project from site selection through entitlement and disposition.
Who should care
| Party | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Landowners | More bidders with proven transaction history in Houston |
| Developers | Fuller service offering; land intelligence without new vendor relationships |
| Institutional investors | Access to land component alongside industrial and healthcare platforms |
| Competitors | Partners now covers land with established relationships; fewer standalone opportunities |
Our analysis
The hire follows a pattern: acquire proven teams rather than build organically. LeBlanc's client roster—Hines, CenterPoint Energy, Johnson Development, Beazer Homes, Wood Partners—represents both active land buyers and major end-users who drive transaction volume in the region. That book of business transfers immediately, shortening Partners' market entry significantly.
The ancillary details matter, too. Kamel manages the 5,500-acre Oilton Ranch in Webb County, overseeing quail and whitetail conservation. That work requires understanding large-tract land management, rural valuation, and rural client relationships—a different network than typical urban land brokers cultivate. Steele's background at Avison Young and focus on site sourcing through entitlement fills the execution layer the team needs.
What Partners gains is not merely another broker but a complete land service line that complements its industrial, office, and healthcare practices. Houston's sustained demand for industrial and residential development ensures ongoing land transaction volume for anyone positioned to capture it.
What to watch next
Monitor whether Partners extends land services beyond Houston into other Texas markets where the team has existing relationships. Also watch whether the Healthcare Services practice—launched via the Crown Tenant Advisors acquisition—develops into a distinct revenue stream or remains a secondary offering.
Key takeaways
- Established land teams allow firms to acquire client relationships faster than organic growth permits
- Land specialization requires distinct market intelligence different from commercial property brokerage
- Full-service platforms attract broader client types across property sectors
- Houston's land market remains active, driven by industrial expansion and residential demand
Frequently asked questions
What is Tommy LeBlanc's transaction track record?
He has negotiated over $1 billion in transactions and was ranked fourth on the Houston Business Journal's Heavy Hitters list in 2025.
Who makes up the land team joining Partners?
The team includes Vice President John-Michael Kamel and Senior Associate Blake Steele, both of whom worked alongside LeBlanc at MLB Commercial Real Estate on land assignments.
How does this fit into Partners' broader strategy?
The hire continues Partners' expansion of a full-service platform, following recent additions of industrial brokers in Dallas and Atlanta, the acquisition of Crown Tenant Advisors to launch Healthcare Services, and senior property management hires in Houston and Dallas.
What geographic areas does the new land team serve?
The team concentrates on Southeast Texas, with Kamel focusing on large-scale development tracts across the region.
