May 20, 2025

Portman Expands Austin Team with Katie Tolson Hire

CMiC Global

Since 1974, CMiC has been a global leader in enterprise software for the construction industry. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, CMiC delivers a fully integrated platform that streamlines project management, financials, and field operations.

With a focus on innovation and customer success, CMiC empowers construction firms to enhance efficiency, improve collaboration, and make data-driven decisions. Trusted by industry leaders worldwide, CMiC continues to shape the future of construction technology.

Read More About CMiC:

News Summary

Portman has hired Katie Tolson as Vice President of Development in Austin, aiming to strengthen its multifamily development initiatives. Tolson, with over 18 years of experience in real estate, is set to lead projects in Texas, enhancing the firm’s capacity in a competitive market. This appointment aligns with recent strategic changes at Portman, reflecting its focus on high-growth areas and demand for multifamily housing. Tolson’s background as a civil engineer adds depth to her role, promising significant contributions to the evolving Austin real estate landscape.

Austin, Texas – Portman, an Atlanta-based real estate firm, is expanding its Austin team with the hiring of Katie Tolson as Vice President of Development. This strategic move, announced through a press release earlier this month, aims to bolster Portman’s multifamily development initiatives in the region.

Katie Tolson brings over 18 years of extensive experience in the multifamily and mixed-use real estate sectors. Throughout her career, she has been involved in various aspects of real estate development, including land development, entitlements, design, and construction management. Tolson’s track record includes successfully delivering more than 1,400 units across over 130 acres of mixed-use projects in both Texas and Colorado, making her highly qualified for her new role at Portman.

In her new position, Tolson will lead multifamily development projects in Texas, collaborating closely with Portman’s expanding Austin team. She will report directly to Byron Brown, the Senior Vice President of Development, who expressed confidence that Tolson’s industry expertise will significantly enhance their ability to execute development projects throughout Texas.

Prior to joining Portman, Tolson served as Vice President at Cypress Invest, a real estate investment firm based in Austin. She began her career as a civil engineer, where she managed infrastructure design and permitting for high-density urban projects. This engineering background provides her with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in real estate development.

Tolson has indicated a commitment to contributing to the ongoing evolution of the Austin region and is eager to expand Portman’s footprint in Texas’s competitive real estate market.

Currently, Portman is engaged in a substantial portfolio consisting of 28 multifamily and mixed-use projects at various development stages across nine different markets in the U.S. Two notable projects actively under construction in Texas include Dallas Gateway and 2545 Brockton.

This new appointment follows other significant changes at Portman. Earlier in the year, the company hired Sean Henry as the Senior Vice President of Multifamily Acquisitions and promoted Travis Garland to Chief Development Officer and Andy Kroll to Chief Operating Officer. These moves reflect Portman’s strategic focus on expanding its presence in high-growth areas.

Portman aims to target properties containing more than 200 apartment units in high-growth markets, particularly within the Southeast, Texas, and Florida. This strategy aligns with the firm’s ongoing commitment to enhance its development capabilities and respond to the increasing demand for multifamily housing across these regions.

The addition of Katie Tolson to the Austin team marks a significant step for Portman as it continues to navigate the evolving landscape of real estate development in Texas and beyond. With her expertise, the firm is poised to strengthen its position in the multifamily market, meeting the growing needs of communities and investors alike.