We are a nimble group that adapts to a project's needs.
At the onset of a project, we identify the finish line with a goal of achieving and exceeding
our partners' expectations.
Learning from our combined past experiences, we collaborate to make calculated decisions, are quick to action, and skilled to know when we need to pivot.
We are problem solvers that keep the project’s best interest at the core of every decision we make.
Walker Thrash
Managing Partner
Walker is a developer and contractor with a portfolio of large-scale developments throughout the country. In each project, he seeks to pair Vertikal’s design/build process with the correct financing structures—including tax credits, bonds, grants, and multi-level partnerships.
He received his Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Millsaps College in 2002 before venturing into developments that include hotels, multi-family condos and townhomes, retail/office and mixed-use master developments.
Walker has a passion for creativity in design and deal structuring and a deep appreciation of the development partners that
join in the company’s vision.
Home: Louisville, CO
Sarah Newton
Partner/Design
An architect that brings nearly 20 years of experience to the team, Sarah received her BArch from the University of Texas at Austin in 2002. Her architectural experience comprises a wide range of project types including historic preservation, religious assembly, institutional, mixed-use, retail, multi-family housing, and residential.
She has worked extensively with the Department on Archives and History on both public grant and historic tax credit projects and has experience with New Market Tax Credit projects.
In 2017, Sarah led the design coordination, and assisted in the construction management, of a new collection of boutique hotels that include the Origin Hotel collection, the historic Hotel Morgan, and Hotel Tupelo.
Home: Hattiesburg, MS
Matthew Keith
Partner/Operations
Matthew brings 15+ years of real estate and construction experience to Vertikal. After graduating from Mississippi State University, he has spent the last 15+ years helping to develop a myriad of projects ranging from single family homes to high-rise multi-family to hotel construction and development.
Matthew is focused daily on the company financials and data analytics. He works closely with lenders throughout the construction process, underwrites the projects, and analyzes financials, project sites, and project and market data
for new projects.
Home: Hattiesburg, MS
Kevin Thompson
Partner/Construction
With 25 years of experience, Kevin has managed the construction of a wide range of product types from nationally branded hotels to municipal facilities. Since studying Management Information Systems at the University of Southern Mississippi through 2000, Kevin has completed projects in virtually every construction category.
His focus is on project constructability, which often results in value engineering efforts to get projects off the page and into the ground. Kevin’s hands-on knowledge of construction is evident in his pragmatic approach to all projects.
Home: Golden, CO
Andre Holder
Partner/Project Management
Andre has nearly 20 years of international experience in construction management. After graduating from the University of Toronto with his Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering in 2002 (followed by his MBA in 2006 and PMP in 2014), Andre started working immediately in large commercial construction as a Project Engineer.
His main projects included airports, hospitals, and recreation centers. In 2011 Andre relocated to Australia where he worked as a Senior Project Controller for heavy industrial projects in the mining sector.
Upon completion, he moved to Indonesia to work as a project manager for a twin tower high rise luxury condo in Jakarta. Andre focuses daily on project scheduling, cost control/budgeting as well as preconstruction management.
Home: San Ramon, CA