

Through personal stories and expert reflections, listeners gain practical wisdom and inspiration to lead with impact, create cultures that connect stakeholders, navigate challenges unique to family business, and carry forward the legacy of their family business.
In this conversation, Jason Johnson, CEO of Metro National, shares the rich history of the family-owned real estate development company founded by his grandfather in 1954. He discusses the importance of building relationships in acquiring land, the vision of creating a ‘city within a city’, and the expansion into various sectors beyond retail. Jason emphasizes the significance of long-term thinking in real estate, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. He also reflects on the dynamics of working in a family business, the transition of leadership from his father, and the collaborative effort to define and uphold the company’s core values, which focus on integrity, trust, impact, and legacy.
Additional Resources:
Jason Johnson President and CEO at MetroNational: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-johnson-7784b922/
Connect with Marshall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshall-lockton-26369a1/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/ Learn more about PeopleForward Network: Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ Key Takeaways:
– Metro National was founded in 1954 by Joe Johnson, starting with residential home building. – The company has grown to encompass 10 million square feet of commercial real estate in Houston. – Building strong relationships was key to acquiring the original 200 acres of land. – Joe Johnson’s vision was to create a ‘city within a city’ for community use. – The company has expanded beyond retail to include healthcare, hospitality, and office spaces.















Marshall Lockton
The Third Layer is a podcast crafted for family-owned business owners and leaders who truly understand the intricacies of navigating a business where family and leadership intersect. Hosted by Marshall Lockton, who has lived the family owned business experience from various leadership viewpoints, guests share what they’ve learned about what makes family business leaders uniquely able to lead with culture. The podcast zeroes in on the greatest leadership lessons about culture learned throughout the career of a seasoned family business leader. We uncover how that one pivotal insight transformed them and influenced everything they do. We go beyond the first layer, and ask the leader to help the audience really understand why the lesson was so important to them and how it applies to different facets of their business(es) and life. Through personal stories and expert reflections, listeners gain practical wisdom and inspiration to lead with impact, create cultures that connect stakeholders, navigate challenges unique to family business, and carry forward the legacy of their family business.