I have been fortunate to in my career to have many experiences and blessed to have worked with some fantastic teams and people. In addition to the people I have worked with, I have also had the opportunity to work in some interesting and challenging positions. After serving my country in the US Navy and seeing the world (28 different countries), finding my place in property management was a series of events that all seemed to fall into place. While spending my second enlistment in Great Lakes, Illinois I decided to follow my fathers footsteps and get my real estate license. He was not only a great leader and father, but also my best friend. He owned his own real estate company and was known by thousands for his real estate knowledge and passion for helping people find the perfect home. You can say real estate was in my blood, and some how I knew it would be a part of my life. Evenings and weekends I would list and sell homes, and in fact in my first week as a rookie sold a 1.2 million dollar listing. Of course as things will happen, I didn't sell another home for three months.
After deciding to leave the service I interviewed with Allstate Insurance Company for a customer service supervisory position. While real estate sales was something I had a knack for, having the demands of raising a family meant I needed a steady paycheck. During the interview at Allstate the placement specialist said, "I see you have a real estate license. What do think of property management? We have an opening as Property Supervisor." Of course I said yes, and the rest is history. From commercial office property management early in my career to managing shopping centers, this was the beginning of what I was to do and who I was to become.
After completing and supervising an $8.2 million dollar renovation of an enclosed mall in Greensboro, North Carolina, life was good. The mall looked great and grand opening was a hit, I was enjoying raising my daughter as a single parent , and had just met a fantastic lady who was to later become the love of my life. New stores were opening up, traffic and sales were increasing, and everything was coming up roses....then it happened. One of the owners came into my office and said, "We're selling the mall and the new owners want to bring in their own team." What? This can't be happening! Yes it was and I could have easily hung my head and cried in my beer. Instead I picked up the phone and made some calls including one to the owner of a company I had met in Greensboro who had both commercial and multifamily assets. He remembered me from a Chamber of Commerce function and said he had nothing in commercial but asked if I would be interested in interviewing for a regional multifamily position. Being someone who believes if opportunity knocks you at least answer the door, went to the interview. A couple of days later was offered the position and the rest is history and my introduction into residential property management.
Later as many of you know I started teaching, first facilitating CAM, CAPS, and NALP classes for a local association. Training and education was fun, educational, and something I had a passion for. At one point started my own company giving workshops and seminars all over the country, again moonlighting in residential sales to subsidize my speaking habit. Then back to regional management, and now on the speaking circuit again, this time swimming with sharks when not consulting or training. Those of you that know me understand I have a passion for this business and to think it all started with a question, "What do you think about property management?" So the next time opportunity knocks, at least answer the door. Who knows, it just may lead you to greatness and opportunities beyond your wildest dreams.
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