Industry leaders recently gathered at Connect Industrial Midwest 2026, bringing together developers, investors, owners, lenders, brokers, and decision-makers shaping the Midwest industrial market.

Hosted at Joe’s Live in Rosemont, Illinois, the event highlighted key trends and market insights, including a keynote address that featured Carter Andrus, COO of Prologis, in discussion with Central Region President Jonathan “Rudy” Rudersdorf. The conversation covered their perspectives on building high-performing teams and what qualities create strong performers.

Rudersdorf opened with a candid reflection on their long-standing relationship. “We’ve known each other for over fifteen years, and to have the privilege to interview my boss is something that I don’t take lightly. You have impacted my life in such an incredible way, not only business-wise, but on the personal side as well.”

He added that Andrus’ leadership stands out for its balance of accountability and humanity. “What makes Carter so exceptional is the unmatched work ethic. It’s the attention to detail. It’s the deep knowledge of our business. And you do that all in a very humane and human way, where you care about people.”

Andrus traced his path into commercial real estate back to his upbringing in Ann Arbor, where the business was part of daily life, with his father owning a commercial real estate firm. “For me, talk at the dinner table wasn’t always about politics and sports, but it was about leasing, cap rates, and deals.”

The conversation underscored how those early lessons shaped his career at Prologis, where Andrus has spent nearly two decades rising through the organization. As COO, he is responsible for the global strategy of Prologis’ real estate operations, including its portfolio of 1.3 billion square feet, and capital deployment activities across 20 countries. Before joining Prologis in 2008, Andrus was a senior vice president at Colliers in Chicago.

Beyond career trajectory, the keynote centered on leadership philosophy, particularly the importance of consistency, accountability, and mentorship. “At the end of the day, the buildings matter, the capital matters, the strategy matters, but the real compounding asset in this business is talent. So that’s something that still drives me and still excites me,” explained Andrus. 

The session ultimately highlighted a key theme that success in industrial real estate isn’t just about scale or strategy; it’s about discipline, relationships, and long-term perspective.