Extracurricular Activities:Phi Kappa Phi
What career or personal update would you like to give to your fellow Florida Tech Panthers alumni?
After 25+ years serving as an Executive for some of the largest real estate brokerages (residential & commercial), I was looking for something different but similar. I decided to make a move and join DLP Capital in St. Augustine, FL as their Chief Of Staff. I am still heavily involved in commercial real estate but more on the investment Management side instead of brokerage side of things now. I am currently responsible for managing all the senior business unit leaders and wok side by side with the CEO of one of the largest private companies in the United States. Our purpose is to transform lives through the building of thriving communities. We do this by investing in, developing, and financing attainable housing for America's working families.
How did your time at Florida Tech help get you to where you are today?
The MBA definitely helps open the door for Executive Roles. Even though I was already successful in my career prior to the MBA, when I decided to look for new opportunities, you need something that helps set you apart from the crowd. Without the MBA if you don't know someone, it's tough to get looked at for a senior role anywhere. It's the new baseline in business for senior roles.
What is your favorite Florida Tech memory?
Everything was great but if I had to pick just one, I would pick the time that my class team won the BSG (Best Strategy Invitational) in our Capstone Class and represented Florida Tech in the world wide competition against all the other University winners.
Was there a mentor or professor who had a big impact on you personally and/or professionally?
All of my professors were excellent and thoroughly enjoyed all the classes. If I had to pick one, I would say Dr. Iaquinto in Business Strategic Management. That was our capstone class and he did a great job of incorporating everything we learned from all the other classes along with real world issues into one class.
Please share any advice you have for current Florida Tech students.
Network and build relationships. 95% of getting your foot in the door for a job, business deal or anything is all about building that relationship. The other 5% is what you know but lots of people know the same stuff. It's the relationship that counts. I will add another point besides work relationships. Build and focus on your family relationships. My wife, Heather and I just had our 24th Anniversary. If it wasn't for her and my two great boys (Derek 20 and Drew 16 now) supporting me through the years, I wouldn't have been able to achieve a fraction of what I have done over the years. It's not easy on them when I am traveling away from home or having to focus on work deals while on vacations. I have truly been blessed that they have supported me and have been my rock for years along with our faith.
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