David Decker Email & Phone Number

Minnetonka, Mn, Us

Minnetonka, Minnesota, United States

As Co-Founder and joint innovator behind HouseNovel, I led the creation of the one-of-a-kind platform—think Ancestry.com for homes. We kicked off development in May 2020, with our pilot launch in February 2022. Since then, I’ve driven product development, technical strategy, and business growth, transforming HouseNovel into a nationally recognized leader in property research.We’re now gearing up for HouseNovel’s major evolution, launching soon. This iteration promises even more powerful tools with enhanced research, design, and contribution features. Plus, new paid options will take our platform to the next level.Key Accomplishments:Product Development & Scaling: Grew HouseNovel to over 15,000+ users and 30,000+ home histories, integrating diverse data to create an intuitive interface.Recognition & Industry Buzz: Named a top resource by U.S. News & World Report and featured on the front cover of the Star Tribune. Listed among the Top 100 Home & Design Businesses in MPLS/STP Magazine, with guest appearances on MN Live and Twin Cities Live. In 2024, we proudly received the City of Edina Heritage Preservation Award for our impact on local history.Strategic Vision & Community Engagement: Built a strategy that connected with real estate pros, homeowners, and preservationists, creating a passionate user community.Technical Leadership & User Experience: Directed the technical roadmap for a scalable, user-friendly platform that turns complex history into engaging stories.What’s Next for HouseNovel?Era-Inspired Shop: Expanding product offerings and refining the customer experience.On-Demand Home History Report: Beta-testing in Minneapolis, MN with plans to expand. Our unique databases will make local history easily accessible.Platform Redesign: Enhancing the user interface with updates our community will love.By blending strategic insight with technical expertise, I’m helping set a new standard, inviting users to uncover unique property stories.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

In 2020, I joined Bright Health Group, Minnesota’s first unicorn startup, valued at over $1 billion and driven by a bold mission: to revolutionize healthcare by making it more affordable and accessible through innovative partnerships and a consumer-first approach. As Bright Health expanded into ACA markets and Medicare Advantage plans, I had the privilege of launching and leading the Corporate Real Estate department. Together, we built a dynamic team, forged key partnerships, and opened offices across the U.S., supporting a rapidly growing workforce dedicated to improving healthcare for hundreds of thousands of people.In 2021, we marked a significant milestone with a $924M IPO—the largest in Minnesota’s history. However, like many fast-growing companies, we encountered challenges. Rising operational costs, complex regulations, and heightened competition led us to reassess our trajectory. By 2023, we transitioned much of the business to NeueHealth, scaling back and decommissioning the majority of our offices.Leading my team through this period of rapid expansion and subsequent contraction was both rewarding and, at times, gut-wrenching. We had to remain agile, ensuring operational continuity while navigating the complexities of downsizing. This experience provided invaluable insights into adaptability, resilience, and the importance of strategic alignment in the face of change. I also gained a deeper understanding of the value of trust, strong partnerships, and sustainable growth.I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of Bright Health’s journey and for the trust placed in me to lead and build the real estate department. The lessons I’ve learned along the way have been invaluable, and I’m excited to apply these experiences as I move into the next chapter of my career.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Responsibilities remained consistent across both roles as AVP and Director of Real Estate Operations, encompassing leadership in corporate real estate strategy, team development, and large-scale office expansions and decommissions to align with the company’s evolving needs.Spearheaded the creation and leadership of the Corporate Real Estate department, driving strategy and execution to support rapid growth and office expansions across the U.S., including opening key locations in high-demand markets.Built a high-performing team from the ground up, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation that empowered us to forge strong partnerships with brokers, contractors, and vendors nationwide.Led the real estate strategy during Bright Health's $924M IPO, aligning corporate infrastructure with organizational goals to accommodate a rapidly expanding workforce.Navigated the complexities of scaling back operations, including the strategic decommissioning of multiple office locations, ensuring seamless operational transitions with minimal disruption.Developed and executed cost-saving initiatives, optimizing real estate assets while negotiating contracts that saved the company millions in operational expenses.Led the adaptation of the company’s real estate footprint, ensuring alignment with evolving business needs while maintaining operational efficiency and continuity.Collaborated with executive leadership to ensure real estate strategy was aligned with long-term business goals, ensuring that facilities supported the needs of Bright Health’s workforce and organizational priorities.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Led a team responsible for long-term global real estate planning, ensuring portfolio efficiency and alignment with UnitedHealth Group's wellness and employee productivity goals.Designed and implemented property technology solutions that provided real-time data analytics, transforming decision-making for UnitedHealth Group’s $90M real estate portfolio.Managed complex projects, including securing funding for $19M in development projects, with an additional $23M capital secured for future initiatives.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Managed a portfolio of nearly 2.4MM square feet across multiple locations, handling $90M in annual real estate expenses.Directed site selection, scope development, and funding processes for major new real estate projects to accommodate Optum’s growing workforce.Developed strategic occupancy initiatives that maximized space utilization and operational efficiency across a diverse portfolio.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Responsible for near- and long-term real estate planning for all UnitedHealth Group entities, ensuring portfolio efficiency for over 4M square feet.Delivered clear, concise, and impactful real estate reports to internal and external leadership, driving key decision-making processes.Built strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including real estate governance, talent analytics, and human capital teams, to optimize the planning and execution of portfolio strategies.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Lead a team of consultants and researchers specializing in strategic real estate planning for healthcare organizations and real estate developers throughout the United States.Strategic real estate planning activities include market and financial analysis for new real estate developments, acquisition of properties, and evaluation of current real estate assets.Organized team workflow planning, on-going process development and efficiency improvements, and identifying new research techniques and excel modeling opportunities.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Designed several new methods of research, demand modeling, penetration rates, and service utilization to evaluate an organization’s real estate position in a market. Performed market assessments and feasibility reports for clients seeking to evaluate various real estate opportunities or to secure institutional bank financing for new developments throughout the United States.Responsible for supporting internal management with numerous ad hoc market research, trend and data analysis, and presentations to various executive boards and industry groups.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Aided in feasibility reports and market assessments which examined industry trends, forecasted project performance, analyzed client data, studied demographic and economic factors, and evaluated key competition.Managed data collection, analysis and organization of due diligence documents that were reviewed by management.

Scottsdale, Az

Worked directly with the Vice President of Acquisitions & Development to analyze potential sites for the Fresh & Easy brand of grocery stores in the United States’ southwest. Responsibilities included organizing site acquisition materials, reviewing pro forma models, arranging architectural and engineering documents, and providing recommendations of potential store locations.

Created general plans and zoning recommendations for small towns and cities throughout Arizona.