Q1 2026 Key Highlights
Although we are well into Q2, Q1 was full of accomplishments deserving recognition.
In February, the Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE*) hosted their 26th annual ACREcom conference at the Harbert Center in Birmingham, Alabama, where Tessa Founder and CEO Meredith Calhoun was invited to be a speaker. She co-hosted a session with three other panelists entitled “Identifying When Your Deal is a Match for Tax-Advantaged Capital.”
(*ACRE is Alabama’s statewide real estate research, education, and industry resource hub, housed within the University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business. It was created to support Alabama’s real estate industry through research, workforce development, professional education, and industry engagement.)
Tessa is also proud to have Meredith recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal as a member of their Who’s Who in CRE for 2026.
Libby Lassiter is making moves in securing the future of downtown Birmingham. In Q1, she partnered with Williams Blackstock Architects and Dynamic Civil Solutions to wrap a vision project that involves a 4.2-acre site along Morris Avenue. This site has tremendous long-term potential as the Birmingham market evolves, and community and industry input is critical to shaping what may come next.
Rich Vanchina is celebrating 26 years of leadership, trusted relationships, and lasting impact in commercial real estate. Tessa is grateful for the expertise he consistently brings, helping clients navigate opportunities, deploy capital strategically, and maximize the performance of their real estate investments. His experience, discipline, and trusted perspective continue to create meaningful impact across the industry.
Tika Ramchandani was honored as the only woman and person of color to receive the Peter Jameson CCIM* Scholarship for 2026. (*The CCIM designation (Certified Commercial Investment Member) is one of the most respected credentials in commercial real estate. It is administered by the CCIM Institute and is often viewed as the commercial real estate equivalent of a CPA for accounting or CFA for finance. Less than 10% of commercial brokers hold the designation, and among institutional investors, developers, lenders, and sophisticated owners, it signals a higher level of financial and transactional competency.) She also was a part of the only brokerage delegation from Alabama at the NextGen conference in Columbus, Ohio hosted by Gregson & Co. to invest in Tessa’s networking, education, and industry relationships, as well as the vision to be a part of developing the next generation of CRE leaders. Being the only Alabama representatives put our home state in the spotlight and allowed Tessa to gain new insights in how to best support municipalities.
Tessa was excited to welcome Stuart Caldwell to the team in January and is equally excited to celebrate an early milestone with his first closing. Stuart brings a unique builder’s perspective to commercial real estate, drawing on extensive experience leading large-scale industrial and commercial construction projects from site selection and design through construction and delivery. That hands-on background gives him a thoughtful understanding of how clients evaluate space, feasibility, and long-term value.
As Tessa closes out Q1, we’re grateful to reflect on a strong start to the year with more than $10 million in revenue.
This milestone represents more than numbers. It reflects the trust of our clients, the strength of our relationships, and the dedication of the Tessa team. We remain committed to delivering thoughtful guidance, creating long-term value, and helping shape meaningful opportunities across commercial real estate.
Thank you to our clients, partners, and team members who continue to make this work possible. We’re looking forward to what’s ahead!