ABOUT US
Rooted in the Land.
Designed for the Future.
EcoTerra was founded on a simple idea: the best communities grow from a deep respect for the land. Our work begins long before the first stake is placed — studying the site’s natural character, its contours, and its existing beauty to guide every decision that follows.
Rather than imposing design on a landscape, we allow the land to lead the design. Each project is shaped around its environment, preserving mature tree lines, embracing organic street patterns, and weaving in sustainable infrastructure that supports long-term growth.
From concept to completion, we create neighborhoods that feel authentic, enduring, and connected — places where thoughtful planning and creative design give every community a timeless sense of place.
WHO WE ARE
Jim Hysen
Owner + Lead Land Developer | Nashville TN
With more than 30 years of experience across the Southeast and Midwest, Jim Hysen is a seasoned developer recognized for his expertise in strategic land acquisition, sustainable planning, and full-cycle project delivery. As the former President of the Home Builders Association of Middle Tennessee, Jim is widely respected for blending technical precision with environmentally conscious design and for his leadership in promoting higher standards within the homebuilding and development industry.
Over the course of his career, Jim has successfully guided hundreds of residential and mixed-use projects from initial concept through completion — overseeing site selection, engineering, approvals, and construction. His ability to balance financial feasibility with environmental sensitivity has earned him a reputation as a developer who leads with both vision and accountability.
At EcoTerra, Jim directs the firm’s development and planning efforts with a focus on integrating site design, permitting, construction, and wastewater systems. His leadership ensures that every community is built responsibly, aligned with the natural landscape, and executed with architectural and ecological integrity. Guided by a philosophy rooted in stewardship and long-term sustainability, Jim continues to shape projects that reflect both the beauty of the land and the values of the people who call it home.
Alex Becker
Partner + Land Development Strategist | Nashville, TN
Alex Becker is a Nashville-based real estate developer specializing in land acquisition, entitlement, and planning for distinctive residential communities. With a background that spans commercial, hospitality, and medical development, he brings a holistic perspective to identifying high-potential sites and shaping projects that balance vision, value, and livability.
At EcoTerra, Alex plays a central role in transforming raw land into thoughtfully planned neighborhoods that work in harmony with the natural landscape. His approach emphasizes long-term value creation through responsible land use, strategic infrastructure design, and collaboration with municipal partners, builders, and engineers.
Building on his award-winning development proposal at the NAHB International Builders’ Show, Alex combines his expertise in land planning, financial modeling, and design strategy to guide each project from concept to completion with clarity and purpose. His work reflects a commitment to stewardship - ensuring that every project enhances the environment, strengthens communities, and endures for generations to come.
Leslie Hysen
Land Acquisition & Sales Strategy | Nashville, TN
Leslie Hysen is a seasoned real estate entrepreneur and licensed broker based in Nashville, Tennessee, with a career in the market dating back to 2008. She began her journey as a commercial real estate agent specializing in multifamily properties, land, short-term rental investments, and development, and has grown into a respected investor and deal maker in the region’s dynamic and rapidly evolving property landscape.
Over the course of her career, Leslie has been involved in acquisitions, dispositions, and investment strategy across a broad range of asset classes, earning a reputation for her market insight, negotiation expertise, and disciplined approach to value creation.
Leslie is the Owner of the Coldwell Banker Commercial Legacy Group Nashville office, where she leads brokerage operations and advises clients across commercial, land, and investment opportunities throughout Middle Tennessee. In this role, she works closely with investors, developers, and business owners to identify strategic opportunities and execute complex transactions with precision and professionalism.
Today, Leslie continues to shape Nashville’s built environment alongside her husband by focusing on residential subdivision development throughout the greater Nashville area, leveraging her deep local market knowledge, transactional experience, and passion for creating communities that meet the region’s evolving housing needs.
