Gary Brooks
President/Chief Executive Officer, Cornerstone Development
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Phone (405) 844-0624
Property Types
Office
Markets
Oklahoma City
Bio
One of Gary's favorite parts of his job is standing on a piece of land and envisioning what it could be. How many stories? Where is the best view? How many units? How to make the most of the area and amenities? After those decisions and more, he puts the plan in place to make it happen. And he does.
An accountant by training, Gary transitioned into commercial real estate in 1988. He partnered with Mark Beffort in 1996 to form Beffort Brooks Property Company. They affiliated with the national firm of Grubb & Ellis in 1998 and were named to the “Metro 50” list of the fastest growing companies in Oklahoma City for three years, ranking 3rd in 2000. As CEO of the company, Gary led the firm’s growth and ultimate merger with Harrison Levy Company. Gary’s emphasis moved into apartments and student housing in 1999. He has direct experience in all areas of the multi-housing industry including acquisition, financing, disposition, development, construction, consultation, and property management.
Today, Gary serves as President and CEO for Cornerstone Development and its sister company, CS Management. Cornerstone’s sole focus is multi-family housing. During the great recession of 2008-2010, a time when most in the industry struggled with sales, acquisitions, and financing for developments, he led his team in $175 million of construction and acquisition of multi-housing projects. With a reputation for “doing what we say we will do,” Cornerstone and its direct affiliates has become the largest HUD borrower in the state of Oklahoma.
In addition to being a broker and a developer, Gary served as the primary real estate and student-housing consultant to the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. As project manager for UCO, he oversaw the design and construction of $25 million dollars of on-campus development.
Gary has a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has previously served in various board and leadership positions including President of the Commercial Real Estate Council in Oklahoma City. He lives in Edmond with his wife, Michelle, son, Austin, and daughter, Jennifer.
