Mark Lawson joins Gilbane Development Company as Development Director

Higher Education Veteran to Expand Firm’s Student Housing Presence

Tampa Bay, FL (April 1, 2026) — Gilbane Development Company, a nationally recognized leader in integrated real estate development, today announced the appointment of Mark Lawson as Development Director for Business Development, based in the firm’s Tampa Bay office. Lawson brings firsthand knowledge of campus development priorities gained through an extensive career working within and alongside universities across the country.

In his role as Development Director, Lawson will collaborate closely with Geoff Eisenacher, Vice President of Development at Gilbane Development, and the firm’s public-private partnership team to identify and cultivate strategic opportunities that advance Gilbane’s higher education portfolio across the nation. Lawson’s responsibilities include sourcing new partnerships with higher education institutions, building and maintaining relationships with key university stakeholders and officials and strengthening Gilbane’s strategy to support its growing public-private partnership pipeline.

“Mark’s deep understanding of public private partnerships and extensive experience working with higher education institutions uniquely positions him to advance our strategy as our higher education portfolio continues to expand,” said Geoff Eisenacher, Vice President of Development at Gilbane Development. “Gilbane remains committed to providing meaningful solutions for colleges and universities across the nation, and Mark’s addition reinforces our ability to deliver exceptional projects and forge lasting partnerships that transform campuses around the country.”

Gilbane Development Company has earned a reputation as a trusted partner to universities and institutions, developing purpose-built student housing communities across the nation. In January 2026, the firm broke ground on a project set to deliver more than 1,100 student beds at the University of Rhode Island, a timely development as the university continues to see record application numbers and growing demand for on-campus living. Gilbane Development Company has also partnered with Western Kentucky University on the Elevate WKU initiative, a multi-year, phased overhaul of campus housing that will replace aging residence halls with new, reimagined residential communities. The firm’s commitment to higher education development reflects a broader strategy of creating purpose-built, community-driven spaces that support institutional growth and student success.

As demand for new and renovated student housing surges across the nation, the need for innovative financing and development solutions continues to grow. Public-private partnerships have become an increasingly essential tool for institutions seeking to expand and modernize their housing infrastructure.

“Joining Gilbane marks the perfect next step in my career, and I am energized by the opportunity to contribute to such impactful projects for colleges and universities throughout the country,” said Mark Lawson, Development Director for Business Development at Gilbane Development. “Gilbane’s work in higher education is crucial to the success of students around the country, and I am proud to help play a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the next generation of students.”

Prior to joining Gilbane, Lawson served as the P3 Portfolio Director for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, where he managed financial and operational aspect of the campuses extensive P3 projects. Prior to that, Lawson held positions at Kennesaw State University as Senior Director of Real Estate and University Housing, University Housing Services as Vice President of Development and at Georgia State University as Vice President of Real Estate. He started his career as a Real Estate Consultant at Deloitte. Lawson holds a Master of Science in Real Estate and a Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies from Georgia State University.

About Gilbane Development

Gilbane Development Company is the real estate development, financing, and ownership arm of Gilbane, Inc., a 155-year-old family-owned company. With more than $11.8 billion in development and more than 25,000 units of housing completed or underway, Gilbane Development Company‘s projects span multifamily housing (market-rate apartments, student housing, and affordable housing), mixed-use developments, healthcare facilities, K-12 schools, government facilities, and many types of facilities delivered through public-private partnerships.