Lee M. de la Houssaye
About Lee
Lee de la Houssaye joined Stirling in 1997, where she serves as a Senior Advisor on the commercial advisory team, working from the Covington, Louisiana, office. She has been a commercial real estate leader in the greater New Orleans areas for over 40 years, specializing in landlord and tenant representation in office sales and leasing. She is also highly experienced in commercial site selection and acquisitions.
Ms. de la Houssaye has provided her expertise to an impressive list of landlords, tenants, and investors over the years, resulting in thousands of lease transactions and sales. Some of the corporate entities she has worked with include Ampirical Solutions, AT&T, Cantium, Chevron, DaimlerChrysler Motors, Fleetcor, General Services Administration (G.S.A.), Hornbeck Offshore Operations, LLOG Exploration, Merrill Lynch, MetLife, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, PoolCorp, and Southern Farm Bureau, to name a few.
Ms. de la Houssaye has received many distinguished Sales Awards from Stirling, the Northshore Area Board of Realtors, the Commercial Investment Division (C.I.D.), and the St. Tammany Association of Realtors. She is a graduate of St Mary’s Dominican College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business with an emphasis on Management.
Joe Gardner
About Joe
Joe Gardner is a seasoned commercial real estate broker with a career spanning over a decade, marked by significant achievements and contributions to the industry. He embarked on his journey in 2008 at Stirling, where he honed his skills and established a solid foundation in the dynamic world of commercial real estate. Specializing in retail properties, Joe has become a prominent figure in the field, known for his expertise in landlord representation, particularly in shopping center leasing and development.
With a keen eye for market trends and a deep understanding of client needs, Joe has successfully navigated both local and nationwide tenant representation, earning a reputation as a trusted advisor and advocate for his clients. His dedication to excellence and commitment to delivering results have consistently positioned him as a top performer in the industry.
Joe’s educational background is as impressive as his professional accomplishments. He graduated from Southeast Louisiana University in 2007, laying the groundwork for his future success. In 2015, he further solidified his expertise by obtaining the prestigious CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation, a testament to his commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Joe Gardner has a proud and honorable military background. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Enterprise, where he demonstrated unwavering dedication and courage. His service was recognized with the prestigious National Defense Medal, highlighting his selfless commitment to his country and his fellow servicemen.
Foster Murphy
About Foster
Foster Murphy is an Advisor with Stirling, based in the firm’s Covington, Louisiana office. He specializes in the sale of retail, office, industrial, medical, and land assets across Southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with a leasing focus on office, industrial, and medical properties.
Foster primarily represents landlords and owners, advising on strategies to maximize asset performance, increase value, and position properties competitively within the market. His experience spans leasing, sales, and new development—including medical office projects—allowing him to guide clients through the full lifecycle of an investment, from acquisition and positioning to stabilization and disposition.
With a strong understanding of regional market dynamics and a results-driven approach, Foster partners with property owners to optimize occupancy, structure favorable deal terms, and drive long-term returns.
He also brings a personal passion for architecture and experience in AutoCAD, giving him the ability to visualize opportunities and deliver creative, practical solutions tailored to each asset.
Notable Projects & Clients
Foster has worked with a range of institutional, public, and healthcare-related organizations throughout his career, including the Louisiana Bar Foundation, Louisiana Assessors’ Association, Louisiana State University, Ochsner Health, Affordable Care, and Hospice of Greater Baton Rouge. His work includes leasing, advisory, and development involvement across office, medical, and institutional assets.
Ryan Murphy
About Ryan
Ryan Murphy joined Stirling’s commercial real estate team in October of 2010 and serves as a Senior Advisor working from the company’s Covington, Louisiana, office. He primarily specializes in the office market, representing both landlords and tenants, as well as in vacant land. He also works with sellers and buyers in investment properties. Mr. Murphy obtained his CCIM designation in March of 2021 and is an active member. He is also a member of the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors (NOMAR) Commercial Investment Division (CID).
Prior to joining Stirling, Ryan worked independently since 2002 in commercial real estate, developing and purchasing small office products. He continues to own and manage his own portfolio of office space.
Mr. Murphy served two 4-year terms of elected office as a councilman for the Town of Abita Springs from 2014 thru 2022 and served as the Mayor Pro Tem during his second term.
Mr. Murphy is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, earning a B.S. in Political Science and a B.A. in Economics. He also has earned an MBA from Loyola University New Orleans.
