Eric Tipton Q&A: Experience with Recreating the Past Helps This PM Build the Future

Eric Tipton doesn’t just manage projects—he orchestrates them with the precision of a historian and the foresight of a builder. With 30 years of experience in the business, Eric has worked in nearly every aspect of commercial real estate, thriving on complex challenges and transforming plans into lasting spaces. With roots in education and nearly 20 years spent organizing immersive Civil War living histories, Eric brings a rare blend of strategy, structure, and sensibility to his role as senior project manager at Kiesland. Driven by the belief that great work speaks for itself, Eric builds trust the same way he builds projects: with care, clarity, and an eye for what endures.

Q: You’ve been in commercial real estate for a long time. What’s your background?

A. I started in 1994 and have worked in nearly every aspect of the business, including brokerage, marketing, sales, property management, development, and construction. My first professional experiences were actually with my family’s real estate company, and I’ve been with Kiesland since 2016.

Q: Your degree is in education, but you quickly moved on from the classroom experience. How does that background help you now?

A. I first started in business school, but quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I always figured I’d end up in the family business, so I picked something I liked as a backup—teaching. I earned a degree in secondary education and did student teaching in social studies, including AP European History and world religions. That background taught me how to speak in front of people, manage a room, and relate to different personalities.

Q: What would you say are your strengths as a project manager?

A. Organization is a big one. I bring structure to every project—budgets, schedules, and planning—and I ensure things stay on track. I also focus on human relationships. My approach is centered on leading with positivity, being direct, and minimizing distractions. My father always said, “You manage tasks, not people,” and that’s a philosophy I try to live by.

Q: Some people may be surprised to know that you spent nearly 20 years engaging in Civil War living histories in your free time. That seems like a huge undertaking! Does that experience with history influence your day job in the present?

A. Absolutely. Our group organized and hosted large-scale authentic events. We helped assemble the annual national schedule and managed a large online community. I feel that, in addition to my business background, it further bolstered my skills in organizing logistics, managing personalities, and executing complex plans. It’s surprisingly similar to construction. You start with nothing and build something that lasts.

Q: What do you think sets Kiesland Development Services apart from other firms?

A: We’re big enough to take on challenging projects but small enough to give clients personal attention. You’re not dealing with a faceless corporation—you’re working with a person and a team that knows your project inside and out. At Kiesland, we understand your challenges and goals, and we are committed to meeting your expectations. That kind of accessibility and responsiveness really matters.

Q: Can you tell us about a favorite project you’ve worked on?

A: The Salvagnini project comes to mind. It used massive glue-laminated timber beams made from black ash trees harvested in northern Quebec. The structure is entirely wood—exposed beams, no visible conduit. The attention to detail was intense, and the client was very particular. Plus, we built it during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At one point, we weren’t sure if construction would continue, but the city carried on with site inspections, so we pushed through. It was tough, but incredibly rewarding.

Q: How do you maintain client relationships after a project wraps?

A: My goal is to do the job so well that clients don’t need to call me back—unless it’s for more work. I focus on delivering clean, complete projects with no loose ends. I believe that builds trust in our team – clients can regard Kiesland as a trusted partner. Most of my repeat work has come from clients who appreciated that attention to detail.

Q: What motivates you?

A: I like doing things, not just talking about doing them. Construction provides something tangible that lasts over time. Years later, the building remains. You can leave a mark on a community, on a business, and on its people. That’s what drives me.