A Development Leader Who Can’t Be Everywhere at Once
Ian MacDonald oversees industrial development across Texas and North Florida for Scannell Properties, including the company’s growing presence in the Jacksonville market.
“About 50 percent of our business is build-to-suit industrial or manufacturing, and about 50 percent is speculative warehouse development,” Ian explains. It’s a fast-moving environment, with multiple projects happening at once across several markets.
With that level of responsibility, his role is less about being involved in every detail and more about keeping projects on schedule, teams aligned, and developments moving forward.
That’s where Emerald C’s Development has become a trusted partner, helping Ian keep projects moving without needing to oversee every detail.
The Challenge: Finding a Contractor You Can Trust
In industrial development, timelines can have a significant impact on a project’s success. “Timing is huge, because that translates to rent versus carry,” Ian says. Delays affect tenant move-ins, project schedules, and overall costs.
At the same time, reliability plays a big role in how tenants experience the process. “I would rather our tenants know us for getting them in on time,” he says.
With several projects underway at once, staying involved in every construction decision isn’t practical. Instead, Ian relies on experienced contractors he can rely on to manage the day-to-day work, solve problems as they arise, and keep projects on schedule without constant oversight.
That’s where Emerald C’s has consistently delivered, earning Ian’s trust project after project.
The Difference: A Team That Understands The Work
That trust didn’t develop overnight. It started with an early tenant improvement project in Jacksonville. “They were very thorough and excellent to work with in the bid process,” he says. “They got the first tenant improvement deal that we did in the market.”
Over time, Emerald C’s developed a strong understanding of how Scannell approaches its work. That familiarity makes it easier to move projects forward without needing to manage each step along the way.
“She knows the process so well. She knows what we’re looking for,” Ian says, referring to Emerald C’s President and Co-Owner, Brittany Culbreth.
The Result: Confidence To Stay Focused On The Bigger Picture
That first project marked the beginning of a lasting relationship, with Emerald C’s continuing to support Scannell’s development efforts across Jacksonville ever since.
For Ian, the biggest impact is being able to focus on his broader responsibilities instead of getting pulled into day-to-day construction details like coordination, problem-solving, and project follow-up. “I can say, ‘Here’s what we’re trying to do, go do it,’” he explains.
That level of dependability makes it easier to manage multiple projects at once and keep everything on track.
”“I can't speak more highly of them and what they've been able to do for us.”
~ Ian
What Keeps the Partnership Going
After years of successful projects together, Emerald C’s has become a trusted part of how Scannell operates in the Jacksonville market.
Ian doesn’t hesitate to recommend Emerald C’s to others entering the market. “I can’t speak more highly of them and what they’ve been able to do for us,” he says.
That confidence has been built project by project, through consistent communication, quality work, and a shared commitment to getting the job done right. For Scannell, Emerald C’s is more than a contractor — they’re a dependable team that helps bring projects from vision to completion.
Emerald C’s Development: Creating Jacksonville’s Workplaces with Vision, Value, and Excellence
