Vice President of Development Retiring After 30-Year Career
May 21st, 2026
NRI has announced the retirement of Jim Rost, vice president of development, concluding a distinguished 50-year career in the construction and development industry, including 30 years with NRI. Chris Filby will succeed Rost in the role at the end of May, as announced by Brian J. Ellis, president of Nationwide Realty Investors.
“Over the past three decades, Jim’s leadership and expertise have been instrumental to the success of NRI’s most transformative projects,” said Ellis. “He’s played a pivotal role in developing our $2.7 billion portfolio of large-scale, high-performing real estate investments throughout Central Ohio and Arizona, and in shaping downtown Columbus with signature developments including Nationwide Arena and Huntington Park. His legacy is reflected not only in the projects themselves, but in the collaborative culture he helped build across our organization.”
Throughout his career, Rost has been a strong advocate for mentorship and workforce development in the construction industry. As a past president of the Builders’ Exchange of Central Ohio, he championed initiatives that promoted education and industry collaboration.
Rost’s commitment to developing talent is evident in the construction team he built at NRI – recognized as among the best in the industry – and in the transition of leadership to Chris Filby as vice president of development.
“I’m honored to assume this role following Jim Rost, whose impact on NRI and the broader industry has been profound,” said Filby. “I look forward to building on that foundation as we advance current developments and deliver projects that reflect NRI’s high standards of quality and craftsmanship. Having grown with the organization over the past decade, I’m proud to help lead our development team and support the continued success of our portfolio.”
Filby joined NRI in 2014 and has contributed to several of the firm’s most high-profile projects in Central Ohio and played a key role in the growth and success of NRI’s Arizona portfolio including Cavasson, Rivulon and Gainey Ranch.