Nate Franje is the Founder and President of Forge Solutions, a real estate development services company. Nate is passionate about development and construction, but more importantly he is passionate about helping people.
Throughout his career, he has learned we cannot take credit as individuals for the success of each project, but that the success of each project is dependent on the collaborative effort of each team member. From contractors, including the laborer in the field sweeping floors to provide a safe and clean jobsite, to the design consultants and the owner and tenants of the projects; we all have our roles and responsibilities for making a project successful.
Because each project’s success is contingent on the efforts of each team member, relationships in the development business are key. Nate works to engage team members that have similar expectations to provide a high-quality product at a competitive rate as quickly as possible. It is through the team approach that Nate has been able to add value and lower costs for his clients.
Nate’s role today, is to provide owner’s representative services in managing each aspect of development including cost, quality, and schedule of each project from inception to delivery of the product to the owner. These services include due diligence in acquisitions, budgeting, hiring and managing design consultants from programming to design, and preconstruction and construction oversight of commercial projects including office, industrial, and multi-family product types.
Prior to starting Forge Solutions, Nate spent 9 years working for Iowa’s largest real estate company as the Director of Construction and Development to Vice President and Senior Vice President of Construction and Development. In his position, Nate was responsible for managing over $360 million in projects covering 4.17 million SF of product and 530 acres of subdivisions and ultimately an active contributor in increasing their portfolio by 45%.
More importantly Nate was responsible for supervising a team dedicated to project development and preconstruction for the developer. Because of Nate’s passion for people and his desire to expand his leadership and development potential, he completed his Certificate in Mentoring, Coaching, and Leader Development through Grandview.
In addition, Nate currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa and chairs the Facilities Committee for the organization. Nate also serves on the board for NorthPoint church in Johnston, IA.
Nate’s previous experience, after completing his undergraduate studies in Construction Engineering, includes estimating and project management on over $128 million worth of projects for a local General Contractor.
In his personal life, he is a husband to Mandy, his wife of 12 years. They have five wonderful children that bring them great joy.