Doug Hermann, BS’14

Doug and his wife, Ashley, enjoy spending time outdoors.

Broker Associate, The Weitzman Group

Hermann double-majored while at Jindal School, graduating with a degree in Finance and a degree in Business Administration. In 2013, when Hermann was president of the UT Dallas Real Estate Club, he and three other students formed a JSOM team that placed first in the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Texas contest, winning the $4,000 prize. He came back to campus the following year to serve as a professional adviser to the 2014 JSOM ICSC team. Hermann and his wife, Ashley, live in Anna.

Tell us the highlights of your professional career. What are your proudest achievements?

Since I’m new to the commercial real estate world, my proudest achievements so far are handling the national tenant representation accounts for three high-end restaurant concepts.

What brought you to UT Dallas?

I knew I wanted to end up in Texas and work in real estate so anything in Dallas was my first choice. It also helped that I grew up in the Metroplex. I actually went and met with a few universities in the area when I was planning to transfer, and after my search, UT Dallas just felt right. It made the most sense for my goals and from what I had seen on my visits, had great programs that I wanted to be a part of.

What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?

Winning the Texas International Council of Shopping Centers Undergraduate Case Study competition with our UT Dallas team in 2013.

Who was your favorite professor and/or what was your favorite class and why?

This is a tough one. I had so many great professors at UT Dallas. If I had to pick one, the one that stands out most would be George DeCourcy and his class on Real Estate Finance. I didn’t realize how much I loved it at the time, but now that I’m in the profession, I use the things I learned in his class every day. I am able to look back and say, “Oh yeah, we learned that in Professor DeCourcy’s class.”

What’s the best advice you have received?

Get out and attend networking and industry events in the field you want to be in as much as you possibly can.

What advice do you have for current students hoping to succeed in the business world?

Network, network, network! You never know who you will meet who might know someone who can help get you hired.

What makes an effective leader?

Humility and taking responsibility for everything you do and have influence over.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy going to the movies with my wife, camping and being outdoors, and of course – looking at real estate!

More from BS Business Administration Spotlights

Jonathan “J.J.” Jones, BS’12, MS’14, MBA’16

Senior Property Manager, Crescent Property Services, LLC

In his current position, Jones manages a Class A commercial real estate portfolio for Crescent, which acquires, develops and operates high-end properties alongside an exclusive group of investors and high-net-worth clients. Crescent currently has $3.5 billion in assets in its portfolio. Jones said his education at Jindal School has opened a lot of doors for him. “I don’t think I’m smarter than I was, but it helped me in my ability to creatively problem solve, navigate multiple fields of expertise and remain confident in a rapidly evolving business environment,” he said. He earned three degrees at the Jindal School – a BS in Business Administration, an MS in Supply Chain Management and an MBA.

Jessica Pillado Gonzalez, BS’10

Vice President, Santander Consumer USA

Gonzalez is vice president of the U.S. operational strategy and digital transformation team at Santander Consumer USA. In her role, Gonzalez’ team is focused on enhancing business performance and fintech solutions. She manages relationships with key partners and global digital leaders as the digital liaison for Santander Consumer.