Like most folks in the property management industry, I didn’t dream of being a property/asset manager as a young boy and I didn’t go to school for it. I was however always fascinated with real estate; so much so I initially pursued architecture in HS and college, ambitiously thinking I would be the next Frank Loyd Wright! When a well-known but harshly bleak local architect visited my Freshman architecture class to deliver a reality check to our collective idealism, my hopes and dreams seemed crushed.

This ended up being a blessing in disguise as my friends that stuck with architecture graduated into the Great Recession. I on the other hand shifted gears and studied the most generic field (Business!) I could apparently find, and took a software sales job after I graduated college. Then, somewhat by happenstance, I fell into the property management industry as the owner of the software company had been managing a few family assets as a side vehicle and syndicating deals. When he sold the software company less than a year after I joined, I had the opportunity to build the property management/investment company with the owner, which became The Premier Companies.

My IREM journey started a year or two later when our vision to grow Premier began to crystalize and I knew I wanted to both advance my career and education in the field. This led me to discovering IREM and pursuing the CPM designation, which took me a little under 2 years to obtain. This was easily the best decision I could have made at the time as I was able to develop a wealth of knowledge in financial management, risk management, leasing and negotiation, and just generally high level asset management. I was able to use this new knowledge base to begin advancing my career and helping build Premier.

During this time period I joined the board for West-Central Maryland IREM Chapter 92 and began regularly attending chapter events and seminars. With Premier being a small boutique, I found myself turning to IREM for community, industry networking, continuing education, and mentorship.  But this involvement quickly evolved into friendships and family. It’s not often you find a trade organization with so many welcoming, career-driven, opportunistic, and like-minded people, but my IREM family provided just that. And when family (i.e Jean) asks (er, voluntells..) you to step up and become President of the chapter, you say yes…twice!

About 10 years into my career (around 2017), I knew it was time to take that next career leap. Just as the CPM was a springboard to launching my property/asset management journey, I decided to pursue the CCIM designation, which allowed me to learn the ins and outs of the investment side of the business. I had already gotten exposure to this side of the business, but obtaining my CCIM, which was a series of robust courses that built off the CPM framework, elevated my knowledge and game to a new level. This fostered both my personal and business investment strategies, and positioned me to be able to run Premier’s acquisition team, along with the dozen or so other hats I wore!

Fast forward to present day and I have been able to play a central role in building Premier into a formidable asset/property management and investment firm with over 60 managed and/or owned commercial assets. A few years ago I was named President of the company and as leader I helm our management company, co-run our acquisitions and investments, asset manage a large portfolio, and oversee our business and investment strategies. I don’t think this would have been possible without the support, knowledge, and skills I developed over the years by way of IREM and the CPM.

My IREM journey has truly been one of the most rewarding aspects of my 17 year career. Not only have I made many lifelong friends and indelible memories, but IREM has served as arguably the most important outlet for community and knowledge. I will forever be grateful and if Jean voluntells me to serve one more year as chapter President one day…I might just say yes!