Each year, PTK magazine — a publication of AZ Big Media — showcases the top people and projects to know in Arizona’s commercial real estate sector. Pulling from a competitive pool of nominations and the editorial board’s knowledge of the industry, this annual edition highlights 50 meaningful projects across all product types and influential professionals in 23 different categories. The digital sponsor of PTK magazine is Quarles. Over the coming days, meet the individuals making an outsized impact on the built environment across Arizona. Here are the office brokers to know in 2026:
DEEPER DIVE: Read the latest issue of PTK magazine
Ashley Brooks
Senior vice president
Background: Utilizing over 30 years of proven real estate experience, Brooks’s activities include major lease transactions to land and investment property sales. He has represented some of Phoenix’s largest and most sophisticated landlords during his career.
Source of pride: In the past two years, Brooks has completed a dozen office and regional headquarters transactions, including deals with Sprouts Farmers Market and VAI Resort International. Additionally, Brooks and his business partner Jim Bayless celebrated 25 years of partnership, and their other teammate Jasmina Bays has been instrumental in their success for over a decade.
Surprising fact: Brooks attended SMU in the 1980s when the football team received the “Death Penalty” from the NCAA because they pioneered NIL decades before it was legal.
Brad Anderson
Vice chairman
Background: Anderson has been active in the commercial real estate business for over 35 years as a dominant player in the office sector. He has advised many of the Fortune 500 and leading development firms throughout his career.
Source of pride: “Without a doubt, developing young leaders. Over the years, I have mentored many young business leaders in our industry, several of which are high achievers at Cushman, and several have moved on to other firms accomplishing great things.”
Key to success: “Developing meaningful relationships. This of course comes with commitment, hard work, sacrifice and providing significant added value to everything we do for our clients.”
Surprising fact: “Before starting my real estate career, my first job out of college was playing professional football with the Chicago Bears.”
Jonathan Keyser
Managing partner
Background: Exclusively representing occupiers, Keyser founded and built his firm into an Arizona mainstay. He is a sought-after keynote speaker and is the author of “You Don’t Have to be Ruthless to Win.”
Source of pride: “Building Keyser into a values-driven firm that prioritizes selfless service above all else. Watching our team succeed by putting others first — clients, colleagues and community — has been profoundly rewarding. Creating a culture where people thrive personally and professionally, and where clients truly feel cared for, is far more meaningful to me than any single deal or transaction. It’s the legacy I’m immensely proud to leave.”
Key to success: “Leading by giving rather than taking. When I shifted from pursuing my own interests to focusing on how I could help others, everything changed. Opportunities, relationships and growth flowed naturally. Surrounding myself with extraordinary people who share that vision has also been essential. Success, in my view, is never achieved alone — it’s built through serving others consistently and cultivating a team that believes in the same mission of impact.”
Surprising fact: “I was a missionary kid and grew up in Papua New Guinea. Living there taught me adaptability, humility and the importance of seeing life through others’ perspectives, which influences how I lead today.”
Lindsey Carlson
Senior vice president
Background: Carlson specializes in office properties, providing both users and owners with a full a full range of commercial real estate services, developing strategies and identifying opportunities that align with each client’s business objectives.
Source of pride: “Navigating the past few years as an office broker has felt like a real achievement — and I say that only half-jokingly. Despite the challenges, I’ve found deep fulfillment in helping companies optimize their real estate strategies and implement solutions that fuel their growth. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing the signs go up or visiting a client’s space and witnessing their excitement about all that we’ve accomplished together. Those moments are a powerful reminder of why I love this business.”
Key to success: “Having a great mentor. Peter Nieman played a key role in shaping my career by teaching me how to build genuine, lasting relationships with clients and reminded me not to take the business too seriously. His sense of humor and perspective made the work more enjoyable and meaningful, and I carry those lessons with me every day.”
Surprising fact: Outside of her busy real estate career and family life with tween children, Carlson serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate helping kids in the foster care system.
Scott Maxwell
Managing principal
Background: Drawing upon his deep understanding of occupier needs, Maxwell ensures that organizations achieve the most favorable results for their real estate requirements — whether through lease negotiations, relocations or portfolio optimization.
Source of pride: “Transitioning from being a commercial real estate lender for 15 years to a broker for the past 20 years. The experience in lending and finance provides me with additional insight when dealing with my clients’ real estate objectives.”
Key to success: “Always doing the right thing for clients and co-workers. Be open-minded and enjoy what you do for the people around you.”
Surprising fact: “I received my MBA through ASU’s evening program while working full time and then took my elective classes in Toulouse, France.”
