VanTrust Launches its New National Science + Technology Division, Adds Kansas City Executives to the Team

Today, VanTrust Real Estate, LLC (VanTrust) announced VanTrust Science + Technology, a new national division that is designed to match its industry-leading real estate expertise and capital resources with both public and private sector clients in the life sciences, R&D, institutional, governmental, biotech, pharmaceutical and technology industries. Operating under the VanTrust umbrella, VanTrust Science + Technology is a real estate investment and development division that is focused on creating and deploying real estate strategies that drive value for its clients operating across these cutting-edge sectors. 

A founding member of VanTrust, Executive Vice President Rich Muller, has been tapped to lead the firm’s national expansion into the science and technology space. VanTrust Development Services veterans, Jeff Turk and Ryan Lidke, will provide this new division with design and construction oversight. The VanTrust Science + Technology team will be joined by two Kansas City executives, Scott Hall and Lori Top, both of whom will join VanTrust as Vice Presidents. 

Left to Right: Rich Muller, Lori Top, Scott Hall

“With VanTrust Science + Technology, we have assembled an experienced team that is uniquely skilled at distilling the complex real estate and capital requirements that often accompany projects in the science and technology industries into collaborative and actionable solutions. To this end, we’re thrilled to have both Scott and Lori be part of the VanTrust family and look forward to leveraging their collective expertise to grow our presence in this exciting space,” said Muller. 

When it comes to deal structures, VanTrust takes a flexible approach. “We are equally comfortable delivering projects on a fee basis, as a joint venture partner, or as owner. It really just boils down to what works best for the specific real estate,” said Muller. 

Hall, a seasoned professional in the field of economic and community development, brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record to VanTrust’s Science + Technology division. Prior to joining VanTrust, Hall spent nearly a decade at the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. In his most recent roles as Senior Vice President for Civic and Community Initiatives and President of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Hall oversaw the work on the KC Chamber’s community impact projects, including those in public health and workforce development. His extensive experience as a leader in the KC Chamber, coupled with his deep understanding of the region’s economic landscape, positions him to significantly impact VanTrust’s life sciences endeavors. His strategic mindset and genuine passion for fostering economic growth and innovation will drive the team’s success in developing cutting-edge, state-of-the-art facilities tailored to the needs of life sciences companies. 

Top joins the VanTrust team as an experienced design and construction executive with over 25 years of experience. Her extensive experience managing projects that require distilling complexity, incorporating cutting-edge technology, and helping to define positive solutions is integral to her role in the VanTrust Science + Technology division. She excels at building relationships, developing and leading project teams, and creating environments that foster successful project outcomes. Before joining VanTrust, Top’s prior experience includes nearly 14 years as a Principal at Burns & McDonnell, where she oversaw complex and large-scale design and construction projects across a diverse array of industries with a total cost of more than $3.8 billion. At VanTrust, Top will focus on fostering strategic client, consulting, and construction partnerships while leveraging her background in real estate and complex projects to define opportunities in the science and technology industries. 

VanTrust Science + Technology is designed to address the specific challenges faced by life sciences, R&D, institutional, governmental, biotech, pharmaceutical and technology companies and is already generating significant interest among several prominent life sciences companies and institutions. 

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