This 2025 summer, Huffines Communities is proud to welcome eight exceptional interns who are ready to dive into the exciting world of real estate development. Each of them brings a unique blend of passion, perspective, and potential to our team. We’re thrilled to have Evan Russell, Jordan McElderry, Ernest Beecherl, Nico Wilson, Diego Mejia, Andrew Luckas, Aakash Vattikuti, and Alexander Mushinski on board as they gain valuable hands-on experience and contribute to the vibrant work we do every day. Welcome to the Huffines family!
School: Texas Christian University
Academic Year: Graduated
Major: BS in Economics
Fun Fact: I was almost born in Canada.
Career Aspirations: I’m excited to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment alongside individuals who challenge me to reach my full potential. Huffines Communities offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in real estate development—an area in which I had no prior experience. While I have a strong passion for software development, I believe this internship will give me the confidence and insights needed to succeed in whichever career path I choose. The chance to learn from Huffines and build real-world skills is an invaluable step as I continue to shape my professional future.
School: SMU Cox School of Business
Academic Year: Full-Time MBA (Class of 2026)
Major: Real Estate & Finance
Fun Fact: I traveled to six national parks in just seven days and hiked Angel’s Landing at Zion National Park in Utah.
Career Aspirations: Post-MBA, I’m interested in working in development, capital markets, or investments. My long-term goal is to help create affordable housing solutions across the United States. This internship with Huffines is an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the development process and learn how to make a positive, lasting impact on communities.
School: University of Arkansas
Academic Year: Graduated 2024
Major: BSBA in Marketing
Fun Fact: I’m a die-hard basketball fan.
Career Aspirations: I’m excited to be continuing my internship with Huffines Communities as part of the marketing team. During the spring, I gained valuable experience in real estate and community development, and I’m looking forward to building on that foundation this summer. I’m especially interested in how thoughtful marketing can strengthen community connections and enhance brand visibility. With a passion for creating meaningful brand experiences in real estate, sports, or entertainment, I’m eager to grow my skills and contribute to impactful projects.
School: University of Arkansas
Academic Year: Graduated 2025
Major: BSBA in Marketing
Fun Fact: I’ve tried to go skydiving five times—and every single time, it’s been canceled. I’ve rescheduled again for two weeks from now, so wish me luck!
Career Aspirations: I aspire to build a dynamic career in marketing, focusing on event planning and brand experiences. This is my second summer interning with Huffines Communities, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that brings communities to life through thoughtful, well-executed events. These experiences have deepened my passion for connecting people through marketing and strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career where creativity and community go hand in hand.
School: University of Notre Dame
Academic Year: Rising Senior
Major: Marketing with a Minor in Real Estate
Fun Fact: I love to scuba dive.
Career Aspirations: I’m eager to gain as much hands-on experience as possible through well-rounded internships and jobs—especially with companies like Huffines Communities, where you can see every side of the real estate industry. My goal is to build a comprehensive understanding of how deals are sourced, financed, managed, and closed so I can move confidently into a commercial or residential real estate broker role. Over time, I plan to leverage that expertise and the network I develop to launch my own firm.
School: Southern Methodist University
Academic Year: Rising Junior
Major: Finance with Real Estate Specialization
Fun Fact: I enjoy playing tennis and used to do boxing padwork for fitness.
Career Aspirations: I hope to invest in various asset classes by working in real estate private equity and development. I aspire to apply creative investing and financing strategies to intriguing real estate deals that bring communities together. This is my first summer interning with Huffines Communities, and it’s provided an incredible foundation to understand the land development process through both the financial analysis and project management lenses.
School: Southern Methodist University
Academic Year: Rising Senior
Major: Civil Engineering with a Minor in Business
Fun Fact: I can play piano by ear.
Career Aspirations: I’m passionate about land development and eager to broaden my perspective through my internship with Huffines Communities. Previously, I gained valuable engineering experience with LJA Engineering, working on large-scale master-planned communities. Now, I’m learning the real estate development side by working directly with the Huffines team. After graduation, I plan to pursue an MBA and PE license to complement my engineering background and build a strong foundation for a future career as a developer.
School: University of Texas
Academic Year: Rising Sophomore
Major: Business Administration
Fun Fact: I lived abroad in Shanghai for many years
Career Aspirations: Huffines Communities offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in real estate development, an area that aligns closely with my passion for cities and urban growth. This internship will expose me to key functions beyond development, including finance, accounting, investing, and overall business operations. I believe this experience will be broadly applicable across future paths across fields as diverse as principal investing, management consulting, and of course real estate. I’m excited to contribute meaningfully to the team, learn as much as I can, and make the most of my time here.
Our Summer 2025 interns have hit the ground running, and their contributions are already being felt across our teams. We’re inspired by their drive, innovative ideas, and eagerness to learn. It’s clear they’re not just observing — they’re actively shaping the future of our communities.
Interested in a Summer Internship?
If you or someone you know is interested in gaining hands-on experience in real estate, marketing, or development, apply for our Summer Internship Program! Visit Handshake or message us directly to learn more about upcoming opportunities.
Welcome to the team, Evan, Jordan, Ernest, Nico, Diego, Andrew, Aakash, and Alexander — we’re excited to grow and achieve great things together!