Building a Billion-Dollar Legacy with Fernando De Leon

In a recent episode of the Walker Webcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Fernando De Leon, Founder and CEO of Leon Capital Group—a family holding company with a portfolio exceeding $10 billion in assets across diverse industries, including healthcare, financial services, and real estate. Our conversation spanned a wide range of topics, from Fernando's formative years to his vision for the future of Leon Capital over the next few years.

Data centers in industrial space and nuclear power

Recent surges in investment in data centers and artificial intelligence are transforming the industrial real estate landscape. Developers are eagerly acquiring industrial properties to meet the growing demand for data center space. However, companies like Leon Capital and others in this sector are not primarily challenged by real estate acquisition. Instead, they face significant obstacles on the power supply front.

Data centers require immense energy to operate the servers and maintain optimal temperatures, intensifying the demand for power with each new facility. To address this, major players like Microsoft are exploring alternative energy sources. Notably, one of Microsoft’s new data centers is set to receive power from a unique source—nuclear energy—at the iconic Three Mile Island facility. This shift highlights a growing trend toward innovative power solutions in the data center industry.

Leon Capital’s real estate portfolio

Leon Capital’s wealth and solid track record have been built on its investments in the multifamily sector. With 15,000 units under management and many additional units under construction in mind, I couldn’t resist asking Fernando what he believes sets Leon Capital apart.

Fernando attributes much of its success to the strength of his team, expressing gratitude for what he calls “the luckiest team in the world.” Together, they recognized the potential in the Sun Belt—particularly in Dallas—and strategically capitalized on this region. The investments have paid off handsomely, especially over the past few years, reflecting the team’s keen market insights and exceptional execution.

Diversification of Leon Capital’s assets

While Leon Capital initially planted its roots in real estate and hard assets, it has evolved far beyond a traditional real estate company. Over the years, Leon Capital has diversified its portfolio across various industries, including healthcare, where it owns and operates over 150 dental clinics employing more than 270 doctors and 1,300 medical practitioners.

Even more remarkable is the fact that these businesses aren’t franchises—they’re fully owned and managed by Leon Capital. Moreover, the ventures outside real estate weren’t built on a whim; they were carefully developed as strategic solutions to challenges faced by their core business units on a day-to-day basis. This approach underscores Leon Capital’s commitment to purposeful growth and innovation.

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