Bisnow Honors Local Veterans In Commercial Real Estate
Veterans Day is about honoring and thanking those who have served our country in the armed forces. We talked to a few local veterans who are now working in real estate. Here's how their experience translated into their current careers.
ALEX SANCHEZ
Job Title: ROEM Development Corp EVP
Branch of Service: US Air Force
Where Served: Thailand, South Korea during Vietnam Era
Length of Service: Four years
Highest Rank: Sergeant, Electrical Systems Tech at 20 years old, working on jet fighters.
How long have you been in commercial real estate? In the public sector as a housing official for 30 years and in the private sector for the last year and a half.
What lessons did you learn during your service that carry over into real estate? Commitment to mission, the genius of the team, chain of command is important but secondary, skills and knowledge rule the day, recognize your team and celebrate successes.
GRANT YEATMAN
Job Title: JLL Senior Associate, Broker (Walnut Creek)
Branch of Service: US Navy
Where Served: I was stationed in Norfolk, VA, and in San Diego, CA, doing two seven-month deployments—one throughout the Black, North and Mediterranean seas and one in the Persian Gulf.
Length of Service: Four years
Highest Rank: Lieutenant (O-3)
When did you begin a career in real estate? Spring 2015 after a number of years working in finance.
What lessons did you learn during your service that carry over into real estate? Situational awareness; how to work in dynamic, stressful situations; how to be successful with all types of people and that I’m better off when I'm working hard.
TIM GLENN
Job title: JLL Managing Director (Menlo Park)
Branch of Service: US Army
Where Served: Fort Knox, Fort Benning, Fort Rucker, Fort Hood and Fort Polk
Length of Service: Seven years
Highest Rank: Captain
When did you begin a career in real estate? 1985
What lessons did you learn during your service that carry over into real estate? In real estate, much like in the military, you lead people, but manage assets and expectations. I believe that when you are directing people to do something, you should do it with humility and compassion. You should never ask people to do something that you are not willing to do yourself. In military life and in work life, you are constantly juggling glass and rubber balls (i.e., priorities) as they change constantly.
