About Us

Coldwell Banker Commercial McLain Real Estate is a full – service company of fine people doing fine work, for you.

The late Gene McLain formed this company in 1974 following a respectful political career and successful law practice. Gene McLain lived and embodied the values discussed above and many others, and he nearly single – handedly kick – started the commercial real estate business in Huntsville, Alabama, to a new and modern level in the 1970’s, 1980’s, and 1990’s. Responsible for most of the commercial sales in the market in those years, Gene McLain was a highly respected citizen, a thoughtful political thinker and strategist, and a loyal and devoted friend and family man. Gene McLain died quietly in 2001.

D. Scott McLain, CCIM, joined his late father in the business in 1984 following a similar career track in law. A graduate of Duke University, Cumberland School of Law, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design Advanced Management Development Program (AMDP), Scott McLain leads the company with a similar approach, similar values, and similar vigor.

Brokers, managers, and support people at Coldwell Banker Commercial McLain Real Estate tend to be associated for a long time, reflecting the opportunities, the value, and the camaraderie of the working environment. All participate in strategy and visioning for the company and all take a personal responsibility and position in its future.

The operational philosophy of the company is to be the best in the market, to know as much as possible about the market, to understand and to listen to clients and customers the best and most thoroughly, and to deliver the highest and finest level of service so that customers and clients will maintain a long term relationship of friendship and trust. We strive for those standards through continuous education, networking, research, and hard work, combined with a balance that respects life and all of us. Coldwell Banker Commercial McLain Real Estate is a full – service company of fine people doing fine work, for you.

There are three (3) basic rules at Coldwell Banker Commercial McLain Real Estate that govern how we work, how we interact with you, how we interact with each other, and how we interact with the world.
  1. Because this is a business and not a club, the first rule is that we are economically successful. Our economic success means that we can operate and function for you at a high and professional level, with the resources, the education, the networking, the stamina, and the position to be successful as we work for and with you.
  2. The second rule recognizes that life is short, so we seek to enjoy what we do. We work hard and we play hard, and this approach means that we are anxious to come to work in the morning, ready to be successful for you and for ourselves.
  3. The third rule governs the first two and all that we do, and that is that we must always maintain our integrity. We are vigilant in our professional and honest approach to our business and activity. Our reputation is one of credibility, fairness, and respect, and we constantly monitor those values.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our firm embraces and supports all people regardless of whom they are, if they subscribe to and support our values and principles and standards. In this organization we have high standards for whom we are and how we work. That said, if people meet these standards, then they are welcomed, supported, and encouraged to flourish.

We want our people to be outstanding and productive and effective and happy. We have an organization in which we all work together, not for the organization or for any one person or leader or manager.

The commercial real estate practice is very challenging indeed, and it is, frankly, hard to start and to succeed in this business. We are a group of accomplished professionals that succeed in this endeavor and deliver excellent counsel and results for our clients and customers.

To associate with this firm has no more requirements than the principles set forth in the words of this website. It does not matter your history or race or gender or age or any other defining characteristic. If you are of integrity and the committed spirit that is required in this business, then you are welcome.

Look at our group. We either now or in the past have included a great many diverse people, and we are proud of this heritage. We have or now have old people, young people, men, women, people of color, people of various sexual preferences, people of several ethnicities, people of various religions, or none - these characteristics are not what define us. All here are welcome and are important parts of our team, regardless of their characteristics. Integrity, hard and focused work, an appreciation of fun and that life is short, good humor, and confidence and ability to work in this business define us, not any labels that society may ascribe.

Finally, anyone here can rise and succeed to any level they can achieve, and we will help and support them every day. We are focused not at all on whom we are, but on how we can best understand and serve your needs and deliver the professional services and support that you need.

These principles, like others we have, define us, ground us, and make us, all of us, successful.

Our Team

D. Scott McLain, JD, CCIM, CRE, CIPS

Managing Broker


256-533-3414 x142 dsmclain@ccim.net
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  • Managing Broker

    D. Scott McLain, JD, CCIM, CRE, CIPS

    Managing Broker


    Mr. McLain is Managing Broker of the firm, having succeeded his late father, Gene McLain, who founded the firm in 1974. Mr. McLain joined the firm in 1984 following three years of law practice in Huntsville, and a clerkship with an United States District Court Judge. He was educated in Huntsville City Schools, attended Tulane University, graduated from Duke University with a degree in Public Policy, and then Cumberland School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree. Post - graduate, Mr. McLain graduated from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design Advanced Management Development Program (AMDP), where he has remained involved in alumni activities. He holds the Certified Commercial - Investment Member (CCIM) designation, the Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) designation, and the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation. Mr. McLain is highly involved in local, state, and national organizations, having held board positions and chairmanships of over eighty (80) organizations. He is also a frequent speaker and writer. 


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Roy Hanlin, CCIM

Senior Property Manager


256-533-3414 256-651-6183 rhanlin@mclaincommercial.com
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  • Senior Property Manager

    Roy Hanlin, CCIM

    Senior Property Manager


    Mr. Hanlin has a distinguished career in property and asset management across several national and international commercial real estate organizations throughout the southeast United States. These positions have involved organization and administration of very large portfolios of commercial properties through acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, and regular management. Mr. Hanlin’s quantitative skills are unparalleled in their analytics and utility for clients and owners. He holds an Associate Degree in Real Estate Management from Jefferson State Junior College, a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Jacksonville State University, and a Masters in Business Administration from Jacksonville State University, as well as the several professional credentials noted above. Mr. Hanlin has also been active as a member and officer in the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), Certified Commercial - Investment Member (CCIM), Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), and ICSC. Finally, Mr. Hanlin was recognized as the Property Manager of the Year by Coldwell Banker Commercial.


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David Evans

Property Manager


256-533-3414 x120 david@mclaincommercial.com
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  • Property Manager

    David Evans

    Property Manager


    Mr. Evans is an integral part of CBC McLain Property Management, engaged in daily interaction with tenants and their needs across a broad range of properties. His responsibilities and skills focus on ensuring that tenants’ needs and obligations are fulfilled and that properties operate precisely and consistent with excellent practice and applicable agreements.

    Mr. Evans is a graduate of Athens State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Human Resource Management. He also has completed Alabama real estate license courses, as well as hazardous waste operations and emergency response certification. His prior work experience has been in real estate, as well as in construction administration.


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A.J. Smith, CCIM

Senior Advisor / Appraisal Services


256-533-3414 x137 ajsmith@mclaincommercial.com
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  • Senior Advisor / Appraisal Services

    A.J. Smith, CCIM

    Senior Advisor / Appraisal Services


    AJ Smith, CCIM, was born in Germany but is a product of Huntsville, Alabama. He attended Auburn University, where he graduated with a degree in Finance. More recently, Mr. Smith is a candidate for a degree in Real Estate and the Built Environment from the University of Denver, with graduation expected in Spring 2023. Mr. Smith is a residential and commercial appraiser and has been so engaged over twenty – five years, with over $75,000,000,000 in valuation and consulting assignments completed.  He is also a candidate for the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. Mr. Smith is highly involved in the community and serves as the Director of Real Estate Development for the Huntsville Housing Authority.

     


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Mark Dickinson, USA / USAF, Retired

Commercial Sale and Leasing Broker


256-533-3414 x129 205-761-6905 m.dickinson@mclaincommercial.com
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  • Commercial Sale and Leasing Broker

    Mark Dickinson, USA / USAF, Retired

    Commercial Sale and Leasing Broker


    Born in England and now a proud resident of Madison, AL, Mark joined Coldwell Banker Commer Real Estate as a commercial sales and leasing Broker. He is currently completing the portfolio requirement for the CCIM designation and a master’s degree in real estate development from Auburn University. Mark also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with French from Brunel University London and a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University. Prior to commercial real estate, Mark served in the U.S. Army and then commissioned into the U.S. Air Force. His 20-year military career ranged from infantry to staff officer in Japan to teaching Russian at West Point. He is an active member in the Alabama Germany Partnership association, his local BNI chapter, and the North Alabama Commercial Real Estate (NALCOM) organization. Also, he and his family enjoy fostering dogs. Mark specializes in real estate for coffee shops, industrial spaces, self-storage facilities, and more.


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Gloria Robertson

Sales and Leasing


256-533-3414 256-345-4370 gloria@mclaincommercial.com
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  • Sales and Leasing

    Gloria Robertson

    Sales and Leasing


    Gloria Robertson has been licensed in real estate sales for over two decades, in both residential and also commercial capacities. Prior to her sales work she was Executive Director of a north Alabama area Chamber of Commerce. Her education is from Terra Technical College, Bowling Green State University, and the Graduate institute for Organizational Management in Athens, Georgia. Most recently, while retaining her license and credentials, she has been employed with the City of Decatur, Alabama, in its engineering department. Ms. Robertson is also a graduate of Leadership Hartselle, Alabama, where she makes her home.


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John Argo

Development Services - Sales - Leasing


334-462-8851 john@mabamerican.com
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  • Development Services - Sales - Leasing

    John Argo

    Development Services - Sales - Leasing


    John Argo is a broker in this office, and John is also Principal Developer and President for MAB American Management, LLC, an American partner of Australian – based MAB, a developer of many American grocery – anchored retail shopping centers. Prior to joining MAB American Management, John was Principal Developer at Aronov Realty Company, Inc., an Alabama retail development and management company, for many years. John also has experience as an economic development coordinator, county planner, and economic development assistant in Florida and Georgia. John resides principally in Montgomery, Alabama, and he is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin and the University of Georgia.


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Meredith Trattler

Associate Broker


256-533-3414 meredith@trattlerdevelopment.com
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  • Associate Broker

    Meredith Trattler

    Associate Broker


    Meredith Trattler resides in Miami, Florida, and maintains her Alabama real estate license with this office. Her long employment includes involvement in title insurance, interior decoration, condominium development, office supply distribution, and commercial real estate, in which she has been involved exclusively for over a decade. Ms. Trattler’s education includes a BA in Psychology from Emory University, an MBA from the University of Miami, Advanced Management Development Program (AMDP) from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and also Hotel Investment at Cornell University. Ms. Trattler also holds a LEED certificate She is a published author and frequent speaker. Her commercial real estate practice focuses on, among other pursuits, regional student housing, where she works as a broker and developer.


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Debbie Garcia Nowlin

Sales and Leasing


256-533-3414 x135 debbie@mclaincommercial.com
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  • Sales and Leasing

    Debbie Garcia Nowlin

    Sales and Leasing


    Debbie Garcia Nowlin is a Senior Associate at the firm. Professionally, she has been involved in real estate development, business development, residential brokerage ownership and management, the car wash business, and commercial real estate brokerage. Ms. Nowlin attended the University of North Alabama and the University of Alabama, and she has a bachelor's degree in Marketing. Additionally, Ms. Nowlin is fluent in English and Spanish, and she currently serves on the Huntsville Hospital Foundation Board.


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