Bixby CEO Aaron Hill Emphasizes Investment Management Across Risk Profiles

This year’s Connect Orange County in-person event gets going with our annual “View from the Top” panel of industry leaders providing their views of current trends and what’s next. Among the experts you’ll hear from is Aaron Hill, who joined Bixby Land Company in 2006 and became CEO and president of what is now Bixby Capital Management in 2019. Ahead of the Sept. 10 event, Hill provides insights into the current market and his company’s culture here:

Q: Bixby is involved with both industrial and office.  Where do you see opportunities in office, especially in Orange County?

A: We believe there is still a reasonable amount of demand for high quality, differentiated office space in Orange County. We’re in the early stages of seeing a cost basis reset across the market and believe that will be a catalyst to create some interesting investment opportunities. 

Q: The company is active in raising and managing funds. Has investor interest in the funds been as strong in 2024 as in prior years?

A: Fund raising has been challenging in 2024 but slightly improved over 2023. The majority of institutional investors are still in the process of recycling capital from prior investments with liquidity challenges or have unfunded commitments.  Generally, if they do have investable capital, industrial/logistics, some multifamily and specialty product types including cold storage and data centers seem to be the most favored.

Q: Earlier this summer, the company announced a rebranding from Bixby Land Company to Bixby Capital Management. How does the rebranding reflect the company’s platform more accurately?

A: The rebrand addresses potential confusion among investors and capital partners regarding Bixby’s invest focus. By transitioning away from the former name, which included “Land,” we are attempting to clearly define our investment scope as more than just development and emphasize our expertise in investment management across different risk profiles. 

The rebranding to Bixby Capital Management underscores our continued commitment to disciplined investing and reinforces our dedication to serving our stakeholders with transparency and integrity.

Q: How have you sought to shape Bixby’s company culture since becoming CEO?

A: Since becoming CEO, I have tried to create a company culture with a healthy work/life balance.  Before I took over, I would have described it as a work hard/play hard.  However, if you’re not a “play hard” person there is no reward for the “work hard,” so I have tried to be more inclusive by pivoting to a work/life balance. I have been with Bixby since 2006 and from that time the entire leadership team has been focused on developing a culture of entrepreneurial execution with institutional discipline, and this is something I have continued as CEO.

Don’t miss the industry insights and networking opportunities at Connect Orange County, scheduled for Sept. 10 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. Click here to register.