David Putman is a principal with AQUILA Commercial and was one of the first brokers to join the team after the company was founded. He specializes in Class A office leasing and represents some of the city’s foremost office campuses boasting rent rolls that include Google, EA, eBay, Paypal, Oracle, and more.
Family is a top priority for David. He and his wife, Ashley, have been married since 1999 and have three kids, Jack (18), Helena (16), and Memo (14). You can catch him cheering at a baseball or volleyball game nearly every night of the week.
David is also a lifelong Texas Longhorn fan. When not attending a game for one of his kids, you’ll often find him at a Horns game, be it football, basketball, or baseball, depending on the season.
Born and raised in Austin, David knows the city like the back of his hand. He still loves to get out on Lake Austin to occasionally waterski or wakeboard, although nowadays it’s all about wake surfing.
I sat down for a Q&A with David to learn more about him. Read his answers below to get to know him a little better!
Let’s Start With the Basics:
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Austin, Texas. I went to Austin High (and now my kids go there!)
David standing by his Ford Bronco in his younger days.
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: I started at UT and finished at the University of North Texas.
Q: How long have you been in Austin?
A: A long ass time! (laughs)
Q: What is it about Austin that has made you stay?
A: Family.
David with his family at Lola’s in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
Q: What is your favorite part about working for AQUILA? What makes AQUILA different?
A: The people and culture. It’s just a fun place to come to work. There are so many things about AQUILA that differentiate it from other firms.
David on-stage with fellow AQUILA brokers Chris Perry, Chad Barrett and Jay Lamy at AQUILA’s 10th Anniversary party.
Q: How do you add value for your clients?
A: It’s about knowledge, experience, and tenacity, but it’s mostly about having a great team.
David with client Jeff Rader with KBS, Jeff’s wife Kate, and Bethany Perez at an AQUILA UT tailgate.
Now For a Little Fun:
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
A: I love spending time with my family; we like to go out on the boat and wakesurf. My kids are also involved in sports so we spend time at their various sporting events. I also enjoy hunting and fishing.
David loves to spend time with his family and go fishing; here he has the best of both worlds!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: More travel to far away places.
David loves to travel; pictured above with his family in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song?
A: Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Q: If you won $50 million in the lottery, what would you do with it?
A: I’d buy a jet and hire a pilot!
Q: If you could live anywhere in the world and money didn’t matter, where would you live?
A: Austin, Texas.
Q: What’s something most people may not know about you?
A: I survived a plane crash in college. (It’s a crazy story!)
Q: What is your favorite restaurant(s) in Austin?
A: How to choose? I love Ranch 616, Gueros, Matt’s El Rancho, and Grizzelda’s. (See a theme developing here?)
Fast Facts:
- Torchy’s or Tacodeli? Tacodeli
- Hunting or fishing? Both
David on a hunting trip with his youngest son, Memo.
- Early bird or night owl? Early bird
- Beach or mountain? Beach
The Putmans love spending time at the beach. Pictured here in Playa Conchal, Costa Rica.
- Waterski or wakeboard? Waterski if the water’s good
David loves all water sports.
- Willie Nelson or Bob Schneider? Willie
- Passenger or driver? Driver
- Franklin Barbecue or Lambert’s? Franklin
- Dine in or take out? Dine in (at our house!) I love my wife’s cooking
David and his wife Ashley.
- Guero’s or Matt’s El Rancho? Matt’s
- Call or text? Call
- Tacos or BBQ? Both
- Dogs or cats? Dogs
- Tito’s or Deep Eddy? Tequila!
- Grilled or fried? Grilled
- Would you walk, run or bike the Hike and Bike Trail? Run
- Frozen or on the rocks? On the rocks
- Queso or Guacamole? How about guacamole in my queso?
- Mopac or 35? Mopac
For more on David, check out his bio page on our website. Don’t forget to check back each month to see who we feature next!
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