At a recent roundtable discussion with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Southwest Missouri Young Leaders Group, local developer Josh Manning, owner of Valiant Group, offered attendees a candid look into the mission behind his company’s rapid growth, and why it bucks the traditional mold of profit-first development. ULI is a global nonprofit made up of people who work in real estate, design, planning, and development, and the event brought together leaders from across those fields to discuss the future of the built environment in southwest Missouri.

Real Estate Expert Advice ULI Urban Land Institute SWMO — ULI Southwest Missouri Young Leaders Group reading materials

Speaking alongside Valiant Group principal architect Nick Schurk, ULI Southwest Missouri Chair Brandon Biskup, Springfield City Councilmember Brandon Jenson, ULI YLG co-chair Chelsea Davison, Taylor Green of BRP Architects, and others, Manning helped steer a conversation focused on building with intention, community impact, and long term sustainability.

Unlike many in the industry focused on maximizing short-term returns, Manning said his team’s vertically integrated model helps streamline renovation and leasing without cutting corners. “Most guys are subcontracting everything, getting three bids for every job,” he said. “We use hourly crews, manage them directly, and get units back on the market quickly. That saves time, cuts carrying costs, and gives us control over quality.”

But speed and efficiency aren’t the end goal, they’re tools to support something more lasting. “A lot of guys I talk to won’t buy unless they can hit a certain number,” Manning said. “We’ll still flip a house even if we’re not going to make a ton of money. It’s about doing good work and building a company that will last, even after I’m gone.”

Biskup noted that purpose and profitability don’t have to be at odds. Referencing projects like Carlton Landing in Oklahoma, he said community centered developments can still thrive financially, especially when the driving force is care, not just calculations.

Manning agreed, underscoring that his focus has never been about personal wealth. “That’s the whole thing, right? I don’t do it for the financial side of it,” he said. “I do it so we can have a nice office, throw cool Christmas parties, so we can pay people well, it’s not so I can drive a Lamborghini.”

Urban Land Institute Roundtable Discussion Josh Manning — Urban Land Institute roundtable discussion with Josh Manning

As the group explored ideas like condos and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as alternative homeownership models, Manning admitted he hadn’t yet explored those options in Springfield. “I’d definitely consider it,” he said, “I just don’t know enough to say if they’d work here.”

While his team is currently developing a 330-unit multifamily project in Nixa, Manning made it clear that his heart is still in Springfield. “This is my community,” he said. “If we do expand, it won’t be just anywhere. We’ll find a city like Springfield, set up shop, and do what we’ve done here, intentionally.”

With over 700 rental units and counting, Manning’s growth is undeniable. But his commitment to people, process, and purpose is what truly sets him apart. As the conversation wrapped, the message was clear: real estate development doesn’t have to be extractive. It can be rooted in care, and built to last.