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 residential developers to know in 2026:
DEEPER DIVE: Read the latest issue of PTK magazine
John Carlson
CEO
Background: Drawing upon his diverse background in the multifamily industry, Carlson has overseen the expansion of Mark-Taylor’s core services to include consulting, while greatly increasing employee engagement, since taking on a leadership role 2016. He credits the exceptional people he works alongside as well as the organization’s authentic, ambitious and merit-based culture as the keys to Mark-Taylor’s continued success.
Source of pride: “Building a 5-star operating platform that has scaled to 35,000 managed units, while preserving business outcomes and company culture was no small feat. We continue to centralize operations intelligently, sharpened our data discipline and remained focused on being the obvious choice for Class-A owners in Arizona and Nevada. Over the last five years, in a volatile capital and supply cycle, we continued to grow, protect asset quality and elevate careers. That combination of performance, people and trust, at scale, is what I’m most proud of.”
Key to success: “People-first leadership powered by a relentless ‘aim up, be better than yesterday’ mindset and hold myself to the same exacting standards. I define winning as compounding growth — in people, performance and discipline.”
Surprising fact: “As a Minnesota native, I’m an eternally optimistic (and a battle-tested) Vikings fan. Nothing trains resilience like decades of disappointing playoff losses. I’m a compulsive learner: Podcasts, audiobooks and biographies are my fuel, and I habit stack them with workouts, bike rides, and hikes. I’m also a geopolitics nerd; maps and power dynamics are my version of sports analytics.”
Justin Steltenpohl
CEO
Background: Overseeing all divisions of the company, Steltenpohl also brings his experience as a lawyer to the role, helping handle legal aspects of operations, such as crafting and reviewing agreements.
Favorite project: An Arizona resident since 1999, Steltenpohl has witnessed Greater Phoenix grow tremendously. He points to ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus as instrumental in transforming the area that supports business as well as tourism and culture.
Source of pride: Stepping into the role of CEO for P.B. Bell. In under six months, Steltenpohl added seven new communities to the company’s third-party portfolio. Additionally, through COVID, he was instrumental in helping the company keep its foot on the gas, managing to avoid layoffs during a time of great uncertainty.
Surprising fact: Steltenpohl started his career as a lawyer — an experience that has helped him understand the ins and outs of real estate development and create contracts that are favorable to both parties.
Paul Tuchin
Principal and Phoenix market leader
Background: Tuchin serves as market leader and principal for TCC’s Phoenix office, which develops throughout Arizona. Tuchin handles daily operations and the strategic oversight of all new development and investment activity throughout the state. He applies over 20 years of experience in real estate development, including deal sourcing and structuring, market analysis, negotiation and cultivating client and partner relationships.
Key to success: “A mix of resilience, optimism and a constant desire to learn — especially when things don’t go as planned. Not every deal works out, and I’ve learned to see those moments not as failures, but as opportunities to grow and refine my approach. Staying positive has helped me keep my focus and momentum, even during tougher market cycles. And I’d say tenacity has played a big role too—being willing to stick with it, follow through when others might walk away, and stay committed to long-term goals.”
Source of pride: “The exceptional team we’ve built at TCC Phoenix. While much credit goes to those who came before me, I take great pride in leading our Arizona market and continuing to elevate the caliber of our talent.:”
Surprising fact: “I have a newfound love for lacrosse and horseback riding thanks to my kids.”
Taylor Shultz
Partner
Background: Charged with directing investment strategy and managing financial relationships, Shultz handles the company’s site selection process, land acquisitions, community lease-ups and ongoing asset management.
Source of pride: Currently, Shultz has three build-to-rent townhome developments totaling roughly $150 million in the entitlement pipeline in East and Southeast Valley.
Favorite project: “A significant project that is difficult for anyone to overlook is TSMC’s monumental $165 billion facility in North Phoenix. Dubbed the ‘TSMC Effect,’ this project has ignited a wave of interest in the region, placing Arizona at the epicenter for domestic semiconductor production. The billions being invested into semiconductor plants like TSMC and others will revolutionize and transform Phoenix for the next 20 years or more.”
V. Jay Hiemenz
Chairman and CEO
Background: Prior to his role as CEO, Hiemenz served as COO, where he ran operations nationwide, and CFO, responsible for raising debt and equity capital for the firm’s investments.
Source of pride: “I recall when we first captured the No. 1 multifamily developer and builder spot (now multiple times) and thinking we did it against far more established and well-capitalized companies. We were a company with no institutional investment help and grew the company organically unlike some that grew through acquisitions.”
