Steve entered the field of commercial real estate in 1985, after nearly a decade of working as a hard rock miner at Sunshine Mine and doing other construction-related jobs. That early experience guided him toward industrial real estate, which has been his specialty from the beginning. In 1992, Steve established SDS Commercial, and the following year he developed his first industrial real estate project.
Today, Steve’s focus is exclusively commercial development for his personal portfolio. His scope of work has moved beyond industrial properties to include office, retail, historic restoration of distressed properties, and industrial distribution centers throughout the United States. To date, he’s developed over 1.25 million square feet of real estate with a total market value of over $155,000,000.
Steve is a board member at RiverBank in Spokane and a member of the National Association of Realtors. When he’s not working, Steve enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Carlos began his commercial real estate career in Spokane in 2006 and joined SDS Commercial in 2010. Before that, he worked for 18 years in the aviation industry. He served as vice president and general manager at Brice Manufacturing, an aircraft seat manufacturer in Pacoima, CA, and held leadership roles in engineering and operations with Rohr Industries, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and International Aero.
At SDS Commercial, Carlos oversees brokerage operations, property management, project development, accounting, and office administration. He also negotiates leases and renewals for over 600,000 square feet of real estate that’s managed by SDS Commercial or owned by him and Steve Schmautz. Carlos’s business experience in manufacturing prepared him for this multi-faceted position. And his early training in engineering benefits our clients, as he’s often called on to do complex tasks, like facilitating environmental site assessments or navigating tax incentive financing.
Carlos graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University and is fluent in both English and Spanish. In addition to his busy real estate career, Carlos loves to water ski, do a fantastic impression of Seinfeld’s Kramer, and enjoy time with his wife, children, and beautiful granddaughter.
Penny’s life and work have always been shaped by her passion for helping others and love for learning. She earned an Associate of Applied Science in Healthcare and Education and held positions in healthcare, social work, and education before coming to SDS Commercial in 2018.
Penny’s dedication, skills, and vibrant personality make her an essential part of our team, contributing not only to the smooth operation of our properties but also to the warm and welcoming atmosphere at SDS Commercial. Penny offers our clients a unique blend of experience and abilities, including her strong work ethic, exceptional organizational skills, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She’s a master at managing deadlines, interacting with tenants and vendors, and embracing challenges with a positive attitude.
Outside of work, Penny’s heart belongs to her family. She treasures time with her husband and daughter. As a family, they enjoy the tranquility of the mountains, riding horses, and hunting. Penny also loves distance running and cooking at home.
Trevor is a seasoned professional in the construction industry, bringing years of hands-on experience to the table. With a background that spans everything from framing and finish carpentry to structural steel fabrication and welding, Trevor has developed a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in building projects from the ground up.
After honing his skills in various construction trades, Trevor took the bold step of starting his own construction company. As an entrepreneur, he demonstrated not only his technical expertise but also his leadership and management capabilities, overseeing successful projects from conception to completion.
Now, Trevor brings his wealth of experience and entrepreneurial spirit to SDS Commercial. With his keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, he ensures that every project meets the highest standards of quality.
When he isn’t at work, Trevor finds fulfillment spending time with his family. He also loves hiking, camping, and simply enjoying nature’s beauty.
Jay began selling commercial real estate in 1991, directly out of college, and joined SDS Commercial in 1992. He specialized in multi-family properties from the very beginning and is presently considered a regional expert in that segment of the real estate market. He has facilitated hundreds of multi-family transactions (buy, sell, or exchange) for clients in the Spokane area. He has also acquired a significant personal portfolio of multi-family properties, purchasing existing projects as well as new developments. With the breadth of his experience and long-term focus on the multi-family marketplace, Jay provides superior service and expertise to his clients.
A native of North Idaho, Jay graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of Idaho. He also earned the CCIM-101 Commercial Investment Analysis Designation. In addition to serving his extensive client base, Jay has been involved in the Spokane Association of REALTORS®, Washington Association of Commercial REALTORS®, National Association of REALTORS®, Landlord Association of the Inland Northwest, and Spokane Real Estate Traders Club. When he isn’t working, Jay takes advantage of the four-season climate of the Inland Northwest. His favorite outdoor activities include snow skiing, water skiing, fishing, mountain biking, distance running, and golf.
Vic began his career in commercial real estate in 2000 at SDS Commercial, specializing in the office market. Since 2013, he has expanded his scope of expertise beyond the regional market. Besides local sales and leasing in the Spokane office marketplace, Vic also offers industrial tenant representation services, handling lease transactions and land acquisitions throughout the U.S.
Vic earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Eastern Washington University, holds a Society of Industrial of Office REALTORS® designation, and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member candidate. He has served as president of the Spokane Real Estate Traders Club and director of the Inland Empire Rental Association.
In his free time, Vic loves traveling with his wife and son. He also enjoys water skiing, golf, fishing, and pheasant hunting.
Transactions of note:
Leases:
Distribution Center, Omaha, NE: 125,000 sf
Distribution Center, Spokane, WA: 64,800 sf
Distribution Center, Minneapolis, MN: 200,000 sf
Distribution Center, Spokane, WA: 250,000 sf
Distribution Center, Denver, CO: 200,000 sf
Distribution Center, Wilsonville, OR: 105,000 sf
Distribution Center, Litchfield, NH: 36,200 sf
Office Lease, Tualatin, OR: 21,350 sf
Office Lease, Spokane, WA: 9,536 sf
Sales:
Industrial Land Sale, Spokane, WA: 19.48 acres - $1,700,000
Office Building Sale, Spokane, WA: 59,406 sf - $1,300,000
Warehouse Sale, Spokane, WA: 25,968 sf - $960,000
Office Warehouse Sale, Spokane, WA: 10,500 sf - $990,000
Office Condo Sale, Spokane, WA: 8,459 sf - $760,000
Office Building Sale, Spokane, WA: 9,039 sf - $1,000,000
A Spokane native, Levi graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Maintenance and Programming from Spokane Community College. After working four years as an electrician, he switched to commercial real estate. He was drawn to the field by watching his father and grandfather, who were developers of commercial property in the Spokane region. Levi began brokering commercial real estate in 2006 and joined SDS Commercial in 2008.
Levi’s client list includes a variety of local companies, including Brother’s Office Pizza, NW Beauty Supply, Heritage Bar & Grill, Jimmy John’s, Shamus’ Sandwich Shoppe, Flamin’ Joe’s, State Farm, and Mountain Lakes Brewery. He has also completed transactions with several national chains like Little Caesar’s, Sonic Burger, Sprint, US Cellular, Firehouse Subs, Eye Mart, Country Financial, Gymboree, Merry Maids, Harbor Freight Tools, Jackson Hewitt, Therapeutic Associates, Rodda Paint, Sally Beauty, Subway, Wild Birds Unlimited, CPR Cell Phone Repair, Mathnasium, and a wide range of commercial investors.
Levi holds a CCIM-101 Commercial Investment Analysis Designation and is a member of the Spokane Real Estate Traders Club. He’s also a licensed pilot. During his free time, Levi enjoys upland hunting, dirt biking, water skiing, and spending time with his wife, Lauren, and daughter, Pyper.
Sarah is a dedicated and accomplished professional who has a crazy passion for bookkeeping. With her diverse range of experiences and a commitment to excellence, Sarah brings a unique perspective and valuable expertise to our team.
Born and raised in Spokane, Sarah developed a curiosity and enthusiasm for the medical field at a young age. After working in that arena for over 20 years, she was ready for a new challenge. Sarah switched to accounting and moved into the field of multi-family housing. Since then, she’s gained expertise in various aspects of property management accounting. Sarah enjoys her work, particularly the continued learning that her position at SDS Commercial offers.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her sons, Jakob and Trenton, and her Airedale Terriers, Mable and Marley. She loves boating and riding horses. She’s also an avid gardener and spends her free time finding unique plants and flowers to grow during the coming season.
Born and raised in Spokane, Melissa brings over two decades of diverse experience to her role in property management. Her professional journey began in the restaurant field, where she gained valuable insights and skills across various roles. This extensive background laid a strong foundation for Melissa’s transition into residential property management, where she honed her expertise in areas such as fair housing, tenant communication, and financial management.
Melissa is expanding her horizons by delving into both commercial and residential property management at SDS Commercial. In this multifaceted role, she is dedicated to mastering every aspect of the business, from financial management to strategic marketing and brand development.
Melissa is deeply committed to delivering excellence in property management while fostering a balanced and fulfilling life outside of the office. It’s this blend of professional dedication, strategic thinking, and personal passions that defines her approach to both work and life.
During her free time, Melissa enjoys traveling with her husband, exploring new destinations and cultures. She’s an avid outdoors enthusiast who relishes the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Whether it's hiking in the mountains or enjoying the lakes, Melissa finds joy in experiencing all that Spokane’s great outdoors has to offer.
Driven by a deep belief in the fundamental rights and dignity of all people, Malai is committed to fostering environments where every individual is respected, supported, and given an equal opportunity to thrive. She is employed by SDS Commercial, but her work is primarily as a member and advocate for Dignified Workday.
SDS Commercial believes in giving back to the community and is particularly committed to Dignified Workday, a program that provides work for Spokane’s unhoused. What began at St Ann Catholic Church as a grassroots effort to provide jobs for people facing work barriers like transportation, housing, and sobriety is now a growing initiative supported by Career Path Services. Dignified Workday is a respected jobs program in the construction, painting, maintenance, and landscaping fields.
Melissa Hodgson