As Vice President of Information Technology at Carr Properties, Aaron Altscher leads the company’s technology strategy, driving innovation and operational excellence across the organization. With extensive experience in real estate technology, automation, and cybersecurity, Aaron is dedicated to implementing cutting-edge solutions that enhance building operations, customer experiences, and business efficiencies. Prior to joining Carr Properties, Aaron spent 15 years consulting to various prop-tech and commercial real estate companies building technology solutions. He holds a Master of Business Administration from The University of Mary Washington.

Can you tell us about your role at Carr Properties and share a bit about your professional background?

As Vice President of Information Technology at Carr Properties, I lead our efforts at the intersection of real estate operations, Cyber security, emerging technologies, and data analytics. A large part of my role is focused on how we can leverage innovation to improve building performance and deliver the elevated customer experience that Carr is known for. With a background in technology leadership across commercial real estate, automotive, and education, I bring a data-focused approach that aligns closely with Carr’s culture of continuous evolution. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a company that isn’t just embracing change—but setting new benchmarks for it.

Carr has been described as an early adopter of data analytics in real estate operations. What motivated that early investment, and how has your approach to using data evolved since then?

Carr recognized early on that operational data—collected from HVAC systems, smart meters, space utilization sensors, facility management software, and ip connected equipment —was a largely untapped asset in commercial real estate. We didn’t wait for an industry standard to emerge. Instead, we leaned into innovation and invested ahead of the curve, building our own data infrastructure before “smart buildings” became a mainstream concept. Over the past four years, we’ve developed a proprietary platform that’s now a strategic differentiator—enabling us to go beyond compliance, drive sustainability goals, and consistently deliver exceptional service and performance. It’s a perfect example of Carr’s forward-looking, data-driven approach to enhancing the built environment.

Can you explain how Carr uses operational technology (OT) data in day-to-day building management, and how that’s different from traditional IT systems?

Operational technology (OT) data is where the real-time pulse of a building lives. It comes from systems that control HVAC, lighting, water, access—everything that makes a space habitable and high-performing. At Carr, we use this data to make live decisions that directly improve comfort, energy efficiency, and safety. Traditional IT, in contrast, supports business operations—email, networks, internal systems. What makes Carr unique is how we’ve bridged the gap between OT and IT, using our centralized platform to deliver a customer-first experience. Whether it’s optimizing air quality or fine-tuning preventive maintenance based on iOT data, our systems support our broader commitment to Distinguished Hospitality for our customers.

What kinds of shifts in your technology infrastructure have had the biggest impact recently?

The biggest shift has been building a unified, centralized analytics platform—a “single pane of glass” view across all operational systems. Previously, data lived in silos: CRM, HVAC, utility meters, security systems blended with accounting and contract data. We spent several years bringing it all together, and now our operations team has real-time visibility into building performance. That means faster response times, more accurate insights, and better alignment with compliance and sustainability goals. It’s allowed us to shift from reactive management to proactive, data-driven decision-making and has empowered our property management teams to be more efficient in leveraging data to manage their properties, so they can spend more time on what matters: providing great customer experience and support.

What does your centralized platform—your “single pane of glass”—enable that wasn’t possible before, especially around compliance, energy efficiency, and performance monitoring?

It’s a game changer. From a compliance perspective, we’re able to track energy usage and environmental metrics to meet—and exceed—benchmarking requirements. On the efficiency side, we can monitor how systems perform under real-world conditions and adjust proactively. And in terms of customer experience, we’re measuring everything from temperature variance to how quickly work orders are resolved. This centralized view empowers our teams to act with precision and transparency, reinforcing Carr’s brand promise of reliability, sustainability, and integrity across all our assets.

How are you incorporating AI into Carr’s operations, from automation in buildings to efficiency improvements—and what kinds of real-world results have you seen so far?

AI remains a focus within our operations strategy. A standout example is our work with Nantum OS, which integrates with our Siemens building systems. It uses machine learning to make real-time adjustments—like reducing HVAC usage during low-occupancy hours—without compromising comfort. These smart tweaks add up fast. These aren’t just cost savings; they’re proof of Carr’s leadership in sustainability and innovation, reinforcing our commitment to delivering smarter, healthier, more efficient buildings.

As Carr seeks new development opportunities, how are you using technology—particularly AI—to streamline the process and manage complex workflows?

We’re applying the same principles we bring to building operations to new development opportunities: doing more with less. In today’s market, that means leveraging technology not just for efficiency—but to solve problems differently. We’re using AI and automation to simplify complex workflows, reduce manual input, and streamline everything from vendor document collection to internal approvals. This approach decreases our reliance on third-party tools by bringing more capability in-house—giving our teams more control, flexibility, and speed.

We’re also applying real-time data insights to make smarter decisions during design and construction—ensuring the spaces we deliver are not only state-of-the-art but aligned with how people live and work today. It’s another way Carr brings institutional knowledge and adaptability together to drive results.

How does all this technology translate into better tenant experiences?

Ultimately, all of this is in service of the customer. Our systems continuously monitor and adjust for air quality—temperature, humidity, CO2, particle matter, VOCs—ensuring healthier, more comfortable environments. We also analyze how people use the space—what areas are popular, when amenities are busiest—and use that to optimize lighting, HVAC, and even service schedules. The result is a building that’s not just functional, but intuitive—a space that adapts to its users and anticipates their needs. This attention to detail is part of what’s sustained Carr’s reputation for decades—creating places that people don’t just work in, but genuinely enjoy being part of, year after year.

As buildings become more connected, how is Carr thinking about cybersecurity—especially in relation to your broader technology and data strategy?

Cybersecurity is foundational to everything we do. As our buildings become more connected, we treat their digital infrastructure with the same level of care as their physical structure. Our cyber platform allows us to continuously detect, quarantine, and block bad actors in real time, from network activity to endpoint behavior. This proactive monitoring keeps our base building systems—like access control and elevators—secure and isolated. It’s part of our promise to deliver safe, resilient, future-ready environments where innovation and trust go hand-in-hand.

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