Ryan Vaught
Principal | Chief Investment Officer
Ryan serves as the Chief Investment Officer for Blue Steel Development (BSD), where he leads the company’s investment strategy, capital formation, and financial structuring efforts across its growing portfolio of development projects.
Before joining BSD, Ryan spent thirteen years with two publicly traded brokerage firms - JLL and Colliers - where he built a distinguished career in industrial capital markets. At Colliers, he led the firm’s Southeast Region for Industrial Capital Markets and served as a partner on the national capital markets team, specializing in investment sales and the capitalization of large-scale development projects. His experience working with institutional investors, developers, and private equity partners gives him a comprehensive understanding of the capital markets landscape and the complexities of structuring successful real estate transactions.
Prior to his career in commercial real estate, Ryan served as an officer in the United States Army, where he developed the leadership, discipline, and strategic perspective that continue to shape his professional approach today.
Ryan is married to his wife, Laura, and they have two sons, Owen and Ryder.
Educational Background
Ryan earned a degree in Economics with a minor in Mathematics from the University of San Diego. He graduated Cum Laude and was awarded Departmental Honors.
Professional Accolades
- Tampa Bay Business Journal 40 under 40
- Connect CRE Next Generation Award
- Connect Media Top Broker
- Business Observer’s 40 under 40
- Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work Honoree
- Distinguished Military Graduate
- Colliers Everest Club | Top 10% Producer | Multi-year
- JLL Top Gun | Top 10 % Producer | Multi-year
- Costar Power Broker | Multi-year
