On a recent episode of the AZ Big Podcast, hosts Michael Gossie and Amy Lindsey sat down with Duerk Brewer, Chief Operating Officer at Matthews™, to discuss how the company became the fastest-growing CRE brokerage in the country and what lessons from athletics can teach about business success.

 

From the Mail Room to the C-Suite

Brewer’s story is one of grit and perseverance. He began his career in 1999 in the mail room of Hendricks & Partners, a well-known Arizona real estate firm. What was meant to be a summer job turned into a 13-year journey that saw Brewer rise through the ranks to become a partner before the firm was acquired by Berkadia, a Berkshire Hathaway and Jefferies-backed company.

 

“It was supposed to be temporary,” Brewer recalled. “But within weeks, I realized commercial real estate was a true meritocracy. Your success depends entirely on your effort and results.”

 

That same entrepreneurial spirit is what drew Brewer to Matthews™, where he helped scale the firm from a startup to a national powerhouse with more than 30 offices and 1,000 agents across the U.S.

 

The Matthews™ Difference: Technology, Culture, and Support

Brewer attributes Matthews™’ rapid rise to three core pillars: technology, culture, and support.

 

Founded in the digital age, Matthews™ was able to bypass legacy systems that hinder many long-established competitors. “We were built for today’s market,” Brewer explained. “Everything from data aggregation to client engagement is optimized for speed, transparency, and insight.”

 

However, technology alone isn’t enough. “You can have the best tech and tools,” Brewer said, “but without the right culture, it won’t matter.” Founder and CEO Kyle Matthews prioritized creating an environment that attracts driven, entrepreneurial professionals. “That culture has a magnetic effect,” Brewer noted. “It’s what allows us to recruit, train, and retain top talent.”

 

Support is the third leg of the stool. Matthews™ invests heavily in training, mentorship, and operational infrastructure to help agents focus on what really matters—building relationships and closing deals. “Our philosophy is to jumpstart careers by providing early and ongoing support,” Brewer said.

 

Embracing AI and the Future of CRE

Brewer sees artificial intelligence as the next major frontier in CRE. Matthews™ already integrates AI into underwriting, data extraction, and lead generation processes. “We underwrote over 20,000 buildings last year,” Brewer shared. “With AI, we can leverage that data faster and smarter than ever before.”

 

By operating on a single shared CRM system, the company empowers agents nationwide with real-time insights into markets, clients, and opportunities. “That’s where AI becomes a game-changer,” Brewer said. “The next three years are going to completely transform how deals are sourced and executed.”

 

Arizona’s CRE Landscape: Adapting Through Change

Despite slower transaction velocity in recent years, Brewer is bullish on Arizona’s CRE market. Matthews™ opened its Phoenix office in May 2020, amid a pandemic and social unrest, and turned it into one of the company’s top-performing offices.

 

“The market rewards those who keep investing and innovating,” Brewer said. “Even in muted conditions, opportunities exist. It’s about being proactive, not reactive.”

 

He credits Phoenix’s strong fundamentals—population growth, economic diversification, and inbound migration—for driving long-term demand across the multifamily, retail, and industrial sectors. Brewer also pointed to TSMC’s $165 billion semiconductor investment as a major catalyst for industrial expansion and housing development.

 

Lessons from the Track: Coaching and Leadership

Outside the office, Brewer wears another hat as a high school cross country coach. Named Arizona’s Coach of the Year for girl’s cross country in 2024, he finds deep parallels between athletics and business.

 

“Success in both comes down to discipline and consistency,” he said. “You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable.”

 

Whether mentoring agents or student athletes, Brewer emphasizes servant leadership by empowering others to succeed through accountability, preparation, and mindset. “When people know you genuinely care about their growth,” he said, “they’ll go the extra mile—sometimes literally.”

 

Looking Ahead

Brewer predicts a rebound in CRE activity as interest rates begin to decline in late 2025. “Lower rates will bring sidelined investors and capital providers back into the market,” he said. “We’re preparing now to support clients through that resurgence.”

 

As for his home base in Queen Creek, Brewer sees continued expansion fueled by family-friendly demographics and rising household incomes. “It’s incredible to watch this community evolve,” he said. “We’re not just seeing growth—we’re seeing transformation.”