Al Brende passed away at the age of 80 on Aug. 26. Brende was owner and co-founder of the longtime Houston land developer Land Tejas. His son, Alan Brende, will take over operational oversight of the company alongside Chief Financial Officer Melanie Ohl.

Born in North Dakota, Al Brende relocated to Houston from California in the mid-90s and founded Land Tejas in 1997.

An innovator in his field, Brende’s contributions to the Houston residential real estate market include the introduction of moderately priced, guard-gated communities in the 1990s. More recently, he developed the first resort-style amenity in Houston with the Balmoral Crystal Clear Lagoons.

Under his leadership, Land Tejas has developed over 15,000 acres of land, becoming one of the largest master-planned community developers in the Houston area.

“His work ethic was amazing for somebody so accomplished,” Mike Moser, CEO of Starwood Land, said in a press release. “He was a true industry icon who was always striving to bring a new fresh approach to land development.”

Brende’s philanthropy included a record-breaking 17 lots donated to the Greater Houston Builders Association’s Benefit Home program, as well as Land Tejas’s Adopt-a-School program, which raises funds for schools in Land Tejas communities.

Brende is survived by his wife Ann Bayless, three adult children and five grandchildren.