M3 Companies Est. 1983
We are a real estate development company located in Idaho and Arizona. Our specialty lies in creating thoughtfully designed communities throughout the western United States.
As Co-Managing Partners, Bill Brownlee and W. Scott Schirmer bring more than 60 years of combined experience in real estate development to M3 Companies.
We understand how the delicate interplay of public concern for the land, open space, and habitat preservation must be integrated with market demand to create exceptional communities.
We develop each project as stewards of the land, with sensitivity to environmental and cultural issues. Our willingness to search for solutions that satisfy every interest is part of our core values.
W. Scott Schirmer - Partner
W. Scott Schirmer is a Chicago native who began his real estate career in the 1960s, acquiring, syndicating, financing, developing and managing real estate in Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah and Idaho. Scott earned his BA degree in business administration and Master’s Degree in Finance from Arizona State University. Scott played college baseball at ASU and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity earning the fraternity's National Award of Significant Sig. As Managing Member, Scott manages the company’s investment capital which includes relationships with high net worth individuals, pension and private funds. As a philanthropist, Scott has served on the national board for Childhelp for 12 years and is presently serving on the foundation board of HonorHealth serving as Chairman of the real estate committee for HonorHealth. He proudly oversees the Schirmer Family Foundation supporting Christian and Jewish purposes, human needs children’s needs.
Bill Brownlee - Partner
Bill Brownlee began working in real estate in 1981. As a founding member of M3, Bill is the partner responsible for acquisition, pro forma and feasibility analyses, community planning, entitlements and development and governmental legislation. Bill has planned and entitled over 25,000 acres of land in Arizona, Colorado and Idaho for master planned communities, residential and commercial subdivisions. In addition, he has spearheaded the adoption of legislation dealing with water and infrastructure financing in Arizona and Idaho, providing significant benefits to the M3 projects.
M3 Companies.
We respect the importance of balancing public concerns for habitat preservation and open space, with market demands for exceptional communities. We have a 35 year track record working hand-in-hand with residents and lawmakers to shape policies responsive to the needs of our communities. We are committed to the ideals of thoughtful design, enriching lifestyles, and authentic community.
For every new development, our goal is to create a community that stands the test of time.
-Bill Brownlee and W. Scott Schirmer.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Thomas D. Cervino
CPA, Executive Director of Finance
Tom is responsible for directing the finance, tax and accounting operations of the company. He brings twenty-seven years of public and private accounting experience as a Partner/Principal in public accounting firms in Phoenix, Arizona and Portland, Oregon, serving clients in real estate development, commercial and residential construction, land syndication, manufacturing, and multi-family housing as well as CFO experience with a commercial contractor in Boise, Idaho. Tom earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The Lubin School of Business at Pace University. He is the president of the Idaho chapter of CFMA and a board member of the Treasure Valley CFO Forum.
Alex Brownlee
Project Manager
William “Alex” Brownlee joined the company in 2010 and works on the representation, acquisition, entitlement and management of M3 projects. Since joining the company, Alex has successfully completed the acquisition and entitlements on multiple subdivisions and apartments. He is actively involved in the management of multiple subdivisions and master planned communities under development by M3 and is the lead Project Manager for M3’s newest Arizona community “Seven at Desert Mountain”. Alex is a licensed real estate broker in Arizona and has worked in the real estate industry in various capacities since 2008. Prior to joining M3, Alex graduated from Arizona State University with a BS in Business Management.
Mark Tate
General Manager, Idaho
Mark joined M3 in 2007 and oversees acquisition, entitlement, planning, construction and sales. He also works with a variety of government and non-government agencies to secure project approvals. Mark is a proud 6th generation Idahoan with roots that go very deep in the Treasure Valley. After growing up in Boise, Mark attended the University of California, San Diego where he earned his degree in Management Science with a minor in Law. Prior to joining M3, Mark began his career in real estate development with the McMillin Companies, known for their master planned communities throughout California, where he was responsible for more than seven active projects in all phases of development, from entitlement to build out.