What You Don't Know About Christopher Mellen

Photo: Chris (center) with IREM SVP Ben McGrew and DTZ SVP Michael Lanning (IREM secretary-treasurer) at the ribbon-cutting of IREM’s new offices in the Realtor building on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

Position: VP of The Simon Cos, a national real estate owner, manager and developer.

Location: Braintree, MA.

Responsibilities: All day-to-day operations for the Simon Cos.

How he got involved in property management: He started his career in property management right out of college; his boss was a Certified Property Manager in IREM's Delaware chapter.

Industry extracurriculars: He's very involved with IREM as the 2016 president-elect.

Daily habit: He's an early riser and a definite morning person. "I like to work at home before arriving at the office early."

Job in another life: College professor—but in this life, he teaches real estate and business courses.

Mentor: Simon Cos founder and president Franklin W. Simon; they've worked together for many years.

Person he'd like to meet, dead or alive: Chris is from Boston, so John F. Kennedy.

Favorite book: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.

Favorite music: Michael Bublé and Harry Connick Jr.

Favorite food: Italian.

Favorite restaurant: Legal Sea Foods.

Favorite vacation: Martha’s Vineyard.

Family life: He comes from a close-knit family consisting of his wife, three children, son- and daughter-in-law, and grandson. "We spend a lot of time together as a family."

Startling fact: Despite his Boston accent, Chris' family has Southern roots.