Andres Aiza grew up in Houston, a city known for its energy industry, rail yards, and vast warehouse corridors. From an early age, he saw how businesses moved goods and built livelihoods across the region. Those early observations would later shape the career he built in industrial real estate.
He attended St. Thomas High School and later graduated from the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business. While in school, Andres developed an interest in how businesses operate behind the scenes. He was less interested in theory and more curious about how companies actually move products, store inventory, and manage space.
After graduating, Andres worked at Top Foods Inc., a manufacturing and importing company that produced tortilla chips from Mexico. For three years, he saw firsthand how logistics, distribution, and warehouse space affect everyday operations. The experience gave him a practical understanding of industrial properties that many brokers only see from the outside.
Later, Andres moved into industrial real estate and joined Alpine Partners in Houston. Today he works as a Senior Associate, specializing in industrial investment sales and project leasing. Much of his work focuses on representing property owners while also working with tenants to understand real operational needs.
Andres is known for his straightforward communication and his ability to uncover off-market opportunities through relationships across the Houston business community. He is bilingual in English and Spanish and works with clients ranging from local entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies.
Outside of work, he enjoys golf, spending time with family, and watching Houston Astros baseball.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My days usually start early. I like to get up around 6:30 and check market updates and emails before the day gets busy. Industrial real estate moves quickly, so staying aware of new opportunities matters.
After that, I spend a lot of time on calls with property owners, tenants, or other brokers. Some days I’m touring warehouses. Other days I’m reviewing leases or researching off-market properties.
Productivity for me comes from staying organized and talking to people. Most opportunities in this business come from conversations, not listings.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start with the problem first. If a property owner wants to lease space or sell land, I try to understand the real goal behind that decision.
Once you understand the goal, the strategy becomes clearer. Sometimes that means repositioning a property. Sometimes it means finding the right tenant instead of the fastest one.
Ideas become real when you start talking to people who can make them happen.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The growth of logistics and e-commerce. Warehouses are becoming more important than ever because they support how goods move through the country.
Houston is a huge logistics hub, so it’s interesting to watch how industrial properties adapt to those changes.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Writing things down.
I take notes constantly. Conversations, ideas, follow-ups. If you rely on memory alone, you miss details.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient.
Early in my career I wanted things to happen faster. But real relationships and trust take time.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think people overcomplicate deals.
A lot of real estate transactions become confusing because people use too much jargon. Most decisions get easier when everything is explained in simple language.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Talk to people.
Not just when you need something. Talk to them regularly and learn about their business.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away for a short walk or go hit golf balls at the range. Sometimes a break resets your thinking better than pushing harder.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Focusing on property owners.
When you represent owners long term, you understand their goals better. That leads to stronger relationships and better outcomes.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on I pushed a deal too quickly because I thought speed mattered most. The tenant ended up not being the right fit.
That taught me to slow down and think about long-term outcomes instead of quick wins.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create a service that helps small businesses evaluate warehouse space before signing a lease. Many owners don’t fully understand operational layout or logistics needs.
Helping them plan that could save them major headaches.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Maps.
It sounds simple, but I use it constantly. When you work in industrial real estate, location and logistics routes matter a lot.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I like business and economics podcasts. “How I Built This” is one I listen to often because it shows how different people built companies in very different ways.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently rewatched Moneyball. I like how it shows a different way of thinking about problems and data.
Key learnings
- Real estate opportunities often start with conversations and relationships, not public listings.
- Understanding how businesses actually operate leads to better property decisions.
- Clear communication and simple explanations can solve problems that complicated negotiations cannot.
- Long-term relationships often matter more than short-term wins in business.
- Taking breaks and changing environments can help restore focus and improve decision-making.