Field Notes: A Glimpse into Industrial Leasing with Victoria Chavez

At BKM, our leasing professionals are the face of our mission—dedicated, relationship-driven, and essential to our success. In our Field Notes series, we highlight the team members who bring that mission to life every day. This time, we sat down with Victoria Chavez, a Leasing Coordinator based in Phoenix, to talk about her path into leasing, how tenant expectations are evolving, and why organization, communication, and adaptability are more important than ever in today’s market.

Victoria Chavez

📍 Phoenix, AZ

16 team members

24 parks | 1,001 tenants | 4M SF

With BKM since November 2021

What made you want to get into leasing in the first place?

V: I was drawn to leasing because it sits at the intersection of people, problem-solving, and real operational impact. You’re not just filling space; you’re helping shape how a property evolves and how tenants ultimately operate within it. I’ve always liked that mix of relationship building and coordinating across teams to get a deal across the finish line. Over time, I realized I really enjoy how no two deals are the same and that variety has kept me engaged.

Why do you think BKM stands out as an industrial operator?

V: BKM stands out because of its very active approach to improving assets and how intentional it is about repositioning space for real-world use. It’s not passive ownership, it’s active execution across leasing, property management, and construction to improve functionality for tenants. The focus on small-bay really reflects a tenant-first mindset, especially for local businesses that need practical, usable space. Honestly, it’s that level of alignment across teams that really drives results.

Do you have any notable stories from your time with BKM?

V: One experience that stands out involved a tenant with very specific operational requirements and a tight timeline to get up and running. It required close coordination across leasing, property management, and the broker to align on both the space and execution timeline. There were a lot of moving parts, but staying organized and maintaining clear communication across teams kept everything on track. It was a good example of how much that coordination affects the tenant experience in real time.

How has the type of tenant or deal changed since you started at BKM?

V: I’ve noticed tenants are a lot more intentional about how they evaluate space now—they’re really focused on efficiency, flexibility, and timing. There’s also more demand for spaces that are already improved or can be operational quickly, which ties into minimizing downtime. Because of that, deals tend to involve more diligence and longer decision timelines than when I first started. It’s made organization, responsiveness, and strong follow-through even more important in my role.

How do you approach understanding what a tenant truly needs beyond what's on paper?

V: I try to understand how the tenant operates day to day, not just what’s listed in their requirements. Details like workflow, access, and layout can completely change what the right space looks like for them. I usually pick up on those details through follow-up questions and conversations with brokers, who often have deeper insight into their priorities. Ultimately, it’s about making sure we’re aligning the space with how their business functions, not just checking boxes.

What keeps you motivated and inspired, even when the market slows down?

V: I stay focused on the parts of the role I can control such as being organized, supporting the team, and maintaining strong relationships. Slower periods are useful for tightening up processes and staying close to what’s happening in the market. I also like knowing that even small progress, whether it’s advancing a deal or getting ahead on coordination, matters long term. That consistency is what keeps me motivated.

How do you build meaningful connections with tenants and brokers?

V: I focus on being consistent, reliable, and detail-oriented throughout the entire process. In a coordination-heavy role, follow-through and clear communication go a long way. Over time, that builds trust and makes future deals more efficient. It’s about being someone they can rely on.

What trends are you noticing in the industry, and how are they affecting your role?

V: One clear trend is that tenants are becoming more selective and process-driven in how they evaluate space. There’s also more demand for functional, move-in-ready spaces that allow them to start operations quickly. From a leasing standpoint, that means more coordination and tighter execution across teams to keep deals moving efficiently. It’s made attention to detail and communication even more critical in my role.

What innovation would you like to see in the near future?

V: BKM already has a strong system in place with BKM Intel, which centralizes real-time information across the organization. In an environment where things move quickly and there are a lot of active deals and projects, having that kind of visibility is valuable. I think the next step is just continuing to improve how seamlessly that information flows between leasing, property management, and construction so coordination stays as efficient as possible.