Principal at Lee & Associates Eastern Pennsylvania, LLC
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in:
I started my real estate career in 1988 working as the executive assistant for a partner in a local real estate company that focused on syndications and limited partnerships of office, retail and multi-family housing assets. From there, I moved into property management of suburban office buildings which gave me a basis in budgeting, contract negation, leases and lease administration, and construction (tenant fit-outs). All of these proved invaluable as my career progressed to development and then to brokerage.
What is your current position?
Currently, I am a principal with the firm Lee & Associates of Eastern Pennsylvania. My business practice focuses on supply-chain and industrial property services that include tenant representation, landlord agency and land sales. I am a PA-licensed real estate salesperson.
Why did you choose the field/profession you are in today?
I can honestly say that I did not choose brokerage; it chose me. First, in 1996, I was recruited to lease office space in suburban Philadelphia for a 300,000 s/f building with an average tenant size of approximately 1,200 s/f. Then after working at a large industrial REIT and a national design-build developer, at the end of 2008, I was approached to be part a large brokerage firm’s newly-forming Pennsylvania industrial team. I haven’t looked back since!
Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career?
I’ve had many strong influencers on my career, and oddly enough, they have been my family and many of the men in my personal and professional life. I come from a family of strong, working women, which was a great foundation! I’m also the fifth of six children, so you needed to be a little scrappy to be heard!! My first husband, taught me to know the answer to a question before it’s asked and to “think like a guy.” It sounds weird, but in many instances, working in a male-dominated profession, doing so has served me very well! A former colleague taught me to work my plan and not get caught up or distracted in what others are doing. By keeping my head down and focused, I would be able to generate my own business, and therefore not be reliant on someone else to do that for me. My boss at Opus East, Craig Guers, taught me the importance of “getting to no” and land development, which has allowed me to fully help my clients contemplating land sales or acquisitions. And my current husband has taught me to have fun and that you’re only as good as the people around you!
Who do you feel was most influential in your life when choosing this profession?
I am super-blessed to be married to the best guy, Joseph, and have three grown step-children and three grandchildren! We also have two dogs and a three-legged cat! We live in Bucks County and have a second home in Lake Harmony that really is a family gathering place!
What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of commercial real estate or your allied field?
Today, I would encourage young women to pursue a career in commercial real estate, especially industrial, real estate. When I went into brokerage and questioned whether or not I could be successful, I realized I’d never know unless I tried!
Comments