Spencer Pisczak on “Insights Into Cleveland Industrial Real Estate”
Spencer Pisczak, SIOR, CCIM, President of Premier Development Partners, joined George Pofok, CCIM, SIOR, Principal of Cresco Real Estate/Cushman & Wakefield, for an episode of Straight from the Loading Dock: Insights Into Cleveland Industrial Real Estate, titled “From Broker to Developer: Spencer Pisczak on Building in Northeast Ohio and Beyond.”
The text below has been summarized. You can view the video for full conversation transcript.
The conversation traced Pisczak’s path into commercial real estate, including his early career and experience with Duke Realty, and the evolution of his role from broker to developer and company leader at Premier Development Partners. While Premier was founded on an industrial development platform, the company has expanded its expertise and capabilities well beyond traditional industrial development. The discussion also looked ahead to an important milestone for the company, as Premier prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2027, providing an opportunity to reflect on the company’s growth and long-term approach.
A central theme throughout the conversation was that development projects do not happen overnight as well as thinking inside and outside of the box. Bringing a project from concept to completion requires time, the ability to navigate the many moving pieces involved in real estate development and construction. The discussion emphasized that successful development requires more than simply identifying a piece of property. It requires an understanding of the broader environment, anticipating challenges, bringing the right partners to the table and having the expertise to guide a project through each stage of the process.
The episode also explored the many factors that influence today’s development environment, including strategic partnerships, incentives, tax abatements and funding sources, market conditions, rising construction and development costs, Northeast Ohio trends, Premier’s growing multi-state reach, regional comparisons and future outlook, and one of the most significant challenges facing the industry today: power and water availability.
Building Partnerships That Last
As Premier approaches its 20th anniversary, the company’s growth and success continues to be rooted in the same fundamental philosophy that has guided it from the beginning: treat everyone as a business partner.
For Premier Development Partners, that mindset remains at the heart of its work—building relationships, solving problems and helping businesses and property owners move their goals forward, one project and one partnership at a time.
The conversation concluded with a quote that reflects both Pisczak’s personal approach and Premier’s broader philosophy: “You can’t help everybody, but you can help someone every single day.”
About the Host
George Pofok has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate. He began his career at Sherwin Williams before joining Ostendorf-Morris in 1997 as an Industrial Database Manager and later a Sales Associate. Since joining Cushman & Wakefield | CRESCO Real Estate in 2003, George has advanced from Senior Sales Associate to Principal in 2021.
As a consistent top producer, George has achieved recognition as a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) in 2005 and a Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) designation in 2009, credentials that reflect expertise and a strong transactional history. He was also inducted into the Midwest Real Estate News Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame in 2018.
During his tenure, George has focused on industrial, land, and investment advisory across Northeast Ohio. He represents owners, investors, developers, and occupiers on acquisitions and dispositions, leasing and renewals, land sales and assemblages, build-to-suit assignments, and strategic real estate consulting. Over his career, George has completed more than 1,000 transactions across 13 states, and the Barna Caplan Team has completed nearly 800 transactions totaling $1.15 billion in consideration since 2020.
About the Guest
Spencer Pisczak is the President of Premier Development Partners (PDP) and has over 45 years experience of successfully processing over 1,500 commercial real estate transactions in the disciplines of acquisitions, sales and leasing, development, financing, tax abatement and construction. Over Spencer’s career, he has acquired and developed over 1,000 acres, built over 12 business parks, built over 100 buildings totaling in excess of 15 million square feet and exceeding in $1 billion in value.
As a leader in the industry, Spencer has earned the CCIM designation and held the prestigious SIOR distinction for over 35 years. He supports the industry locally as an active member of the Northern Ohio NAIOP chapter and takes part in events such as the Cleveland Commercial Real Estate Summit where he has sat on speaking panels. Spencer was also inducted into the Midwest Real Estate Hall of Fame in 2019 and was recently awarded the 2025 NAIOP Northern Ohio Lifetime Achievement Award. Spencer and his team have won countless NAIOP awards such as Developer of the Year, Development of the Year, Construction Project of the Year, Investment Transaction of the Year, Industrial Development of the Year, etc.
About Premier Development Partners
Premier Development Partners is a full-service, privately held design-build, construction, and commercial real estate development firm. The company’s expertise spans development, redevelopment, build-to-suit projects, demolition, construction management, property management and acquisitions in the areas of industrial, office, distribution, cold storage, mixed-use, hospitality, retail, healthcare and education. Premier is dedicated to delivering thoughtfully designed spaces that exceed client expectations while maintaining budget, quality and safety standards.
