Robert F. Godard

Founder | Principal

Bob founded Compass Real Estate in 2002 and has led the company since its inception. He has been successful as the lead sponsor of acquisitions and developments across a diverse range of properties and investment strategies for the past three decades and throughout the United States. Compass also has sponsored multiple niche real estate private equity funds. He is known for his attention to detail, drawing on his passion for architecture, focus on process, and command of finance to lead teams managing a diverse portfolio of properties across multiple market cycles.

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Prior to starting Compass, Bob was a partner with a regional real estate investment company, where he was responsible for the acquisition and development of office and industrial buildings and parks throughout the Southeastern and Southwestern United States. He previously worked as a commercial real estate broker, and in project management and preconstruction for an ENR top 25 general contractor. He was a community bank organizer and board member for one of the few de novo banks started in Georgia in the mid-2000s that survived the GFC. He also has served in a leadership capacity for numerous professional and community service organizations.

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Bob graduated at the top of his class from the College of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has been married for more than thirty years and has two adult daughters.