Rex Thomas, SIOR

Vice President

Education

Campbell University – Bachelor of Science, Business Administration

North Carolina Bankers College- 2005

Professional Activities

North Carolina Licensed Real Estate Broker- #61455

Society of Industrial & Office REALTORS (SIOR)

Certified Property Manager (CPM) – IREM

Awards & Achievements

100 Most Influential Business Leaders, 2012 – Triangle Business Journal

Commercial REALTOR of the Year – Triangle Business Journal’s 1999 REDY Awards

Top Building Sale, 2005 TCAR Fronteir Award

Civic & Charitable Activities

Boy Scouts of America, Occoneechee Council

Board of Directors, Endowment & Finance Committee

Campbell University Board of Advisors

United Methodist Real Estate Committee

Chairman of Research Triangle Park Service Board

Member Highland UMC Endowment Committee

Contact Information

Email Rex Thomas

Rex Thomas BIO

Rex Thomas is Vice President of Phoenix Commercial Properties, an industry-leading commercial real estate company in Raleigh North Carolina, representing landlords, tenants, buyers, and sellers in commercial transactions.

As a North Carolina native, Rex Thomas was instrumental in the development of Highwoods Properties’ position as the Triangle’s leader in office space. He was involved in taking Highwoods public in 1994 and formed Highwoods Forsyth Brokerage in 1995 to handle the company’s third-party services. Rex acquired the company in late 1996, changing the name to Thomas Commercial Inc. Following two successful mergers, the company became known as Grubb & Ellis|Thomas Linderman Graham and became one of the largest and most successful full-service commercial real estate firms in the Triangle market. In October 2012, the company sold to Avison Young, the fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm in North America.

In March 2015, Rex left Avison Young and created JRT Holdings to focus on tenant representation, investment sales, acquisitions, and real estate consulting. He has brokered several thousand leases and sales transactions over his 42-year career.

In April 2017, he took over as Broker in Charge of Phoenix Commercial Inc., headquartered in Raleigh, a real estate brokerage firm established by his late son-in-law John Larocca. Today, he works with John Powell who joined the firm in 2017 as Broker in Charge and President.

Rex serves on the Campbell University Board of Advisors; Board of Directors, Endowment and Executive Committee  for the Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Highland United Methodist Church.

Rex was a founding director of Capital Bank serving on the corporate board and Real Estate committee from 1997 until 2009. He also chaired the committee that oversees local real estate market survey published quarterly by the Triangle Business Journal for over 20 years.

Rex Thomas Reviews

It’s pretty simple.. if you want to know anything about commercial real-estate in the Triangle area, Rex Thomas and Phoenix commercial are your best choice. I don’t know anyone with the depth of experience or ability to understand the client’s needs as thoroughly as Rex and Phoenix . They are my subject experts for real estate in this area.
Alex Mihajlov

Olde Raleigh Financial Group

SUPERIOR results by the Phoenix team in the sale of my Office Building. From the exceptional marketing material developed by Marci Robertson to the coordinated showings lead by team Captain Teddy Hobbs and Co-Captain Curt Britt; coached by Rex Thomas, a Commercial Real Estate Institution; several offers to purchase were received within the first 3 days it was on the market. The entire process from “Listing to Close” occurred in 39 days. Simply put… the team of Real Estate professionals at Phoenix is “the best.”
Gary W. Williams

The Williams Group

It was easy to work with Rex. His deep knowledge of the local real estate market and the major trends that were shaping it informed our decision process in a positive way.
Lee Smither

FMI

Very pleased. Rex Thomas was able to negotiate a very attractive rate, obtained a significant allowance for tenant improvement, and got us a first month rent free; this was more than I expect.
Hugh Lefebvre

President, Fiberglass Flagpoles of America