Further verifying AIR’s outreach into the office brokerage sector, Executive Director Tim Hayes announces that First Property Realty Corporation and its 13 brokers have joined the AIR.

First Property Realty Corporation is a Los Angeles commercial real estate brokerage company that has built its reputation and success by focusing first and foremost on office leasing and commercial real estate sales on the Westside of Los Angeles.  Formed in 1990 by its partners and veteran Westside real estate brokers, Jeffrey E. Resnick and Micheal S. Geller, First Property has distinguished itself by offering a level of brokerage service which continually exceeds client expectations, according to its web site.

“Our firm has long had a familiarity with AIR’s lease and sale forms.  We are now very excited to be part of the AIR, particularly with gaining access to its office property data which we feel gives us a competitive alternative to service that we’ve been using.  This data is just one more marketing tool that enables us to assist our clients in leasing office buildings.  Our owners will surely benefit,” Geller said.

“AIR is delighted to welcome First Property Realty Corporation into the AIR family.  The company and its people have been a significant factor in the Westside office market for some time.  Their affiliation verifies AIR’s expanding presence in the office market,” Hayes said.

The First Property/AIR alliance comes on the heels of an earlier announcement that Coldwell Banker WESTMAC, another leading Westside office brokerage, and its 35 brokers had joined AIR.

With the “Celebration of Life” for AIR founding member and industry pioneer Jack W. Heger having taken place earlier this week, perhaps the most meaningful portrait of the man and his impact is revealed by someone who worked closely with him for 47 years.

AIRWaves called upon Marjorie Davis, president of The Heger Company, for those impressions.  What emerges is a man of unrivaled work ethic who instilled that quality in his employees and associates, a multi-talented man, and a man who placed high value on the industrial real estate industry’s value to our economy.  Mr. Heger passed away earlier this month at age 94.

Davis worked with Mr. Heger since 1961, having initially served as office administrator, then vice president, a partner in 1971, and owner/president in 1993 upon Mr. Heger’s retirement.

“But it was really his work ethic and belief in the entire concept of ethics in business that stood him apart; his life was built around it. We all knew the many ‘Hegerisms’, like ‘Any hill is too high for a poor climber’”, Davis said.

Davis said Mr. Heger's long-time support of AIR was based on the Association’s promotion of ethics among brokers.  This, she said, translated to his own workplace. “In the 47 years I’ve been associated with Jack, I’ve missed very few work days. That’s entirely attributable to Jack and the example he set.  He wanted to build a company and felt work ethic was essential to achieving that goal.  At the Annual Meeting in January, we announced the 30 associates and employees had an average 25-year longevity, with Jim Hilands just celebrating his 50-year anniversary with the company.  We’re truly a family, and it’s because of Jack, and it’s the major reason I’ve postponed my own retirement,” Davis explained. She added that Mr. Heger came into the office almost every Monday until he passed away to review the numerous partnership investments the company had built under his leadership, making the long drive from Escondido where he lived and kept watch over his 30-acre avocado ranch.

As for innovating, Davis said that well before AIR’s COMPUTERIZED MULTIPLE, Mr. Heger invented a Cardex computer system for the Heger office’s exclusive use, listing all available industrial properties in the 3-County area. “I’d never seen anything like it,” she said.

Concluded Davis:  “Everyone who ever knew Jack had nothing but good things to say about him.  I keep waiting for him to walk in the door and ask me to go look at a building.  He was still climbing on building roofs into his 90s.”

The scene of Oscar de la Hoya’s recent victory over Steve Forbes is the dynamic venue whose focus now shifts to the logistics sector’s substantial role in the South Bay and region’s industrial real estate market.

We refer to the May 28 “AIR Broker Networking Event” at the exciting American Express Stadium Club of the Home Deport Center, 18400 Avalon Blvd. in Carson.  Curtis D. Spencer, president of IMS Worldwide, headlines.

The “Networking” event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is free.   Complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Spencer will comment on the global economy and its impact on the logistics market.  Houston-based IMS has over 30 years experience in the Foreign-Trade Zone consulting field, with an emphasis on international Supply Chain Solutions.

For information, call AIR at (213) 687-8777.

Underlining the mounting interest in the AIR’s diverse array of member events, the Association has established “Title Sponsor” opportunities that enable sponsors to readily commit to an annual package of events, reports Todd Kupke, membership support director.

“Title Sponsorships afford special opportunities to our loyal supporters and validate the value of AIR’s programs throughout the year,” Kupke said.

Mark Minsky, co-owner of Commerce Escrow with Phil Graf and a 35-year supporter of AIR, said CEC’s devotion to AIR has special meaning.

“Phil and I feel like AIR is family.  Our firm and the association have grown up together.  AIR sets the standards of conduct and operating procedures in the commercial/industrial real estate business.  It’s important for all of us to work together to solve universal problems.  AIR’s purchase agreement is a prime example,” Minsky said.

Commerce Escrow Company is an independently owned full service escrow company with 25 years of experience in the complex and involved commercial and industrial escrow industry.

Among CEC’s diverse services are Segregated Accounts for exchange funds, which Minsky said is unique in the industry.  He said these accounts hold exchange funds in separate escrow accounts, thereby reducing consumer risk.

For Patrick DuRoss, the deal is in the details.  And following through on them.  In fact, you could say attention to details and guiding them through to fruition is a matter of philosophy for DuRoss, a senior associate in the Encino/San Fernando Valley office of Colliers International and, at 26, clearly a rising star in commercial real estate.

DuRoss joined then Colliers Seeley in 2004 following graduation from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics.

“I try to focus on details of the entire transaction in my team role.  This ranges from cold calling to processing deals and following through with service.  I believe this is crucial to generating repeat business and satisfied clients,” said DuRoss.  “I also like my clients to know that they are dealing with someone who is going to achieve the goals set by them,” DuRoss said.

His approach is paying dividends.  Recently, “Team DeGrinis” represented Home Décor Innovations in their sublease of a 97,810 square foot industrial facility at 21325 Superior St. in Chatsworth.  The eight-year transaction was valued at $5.8 million.

When you discuss his leisure time, DuRoss instantly bleeds “Bruin Blue” and engages in 10-minutes of passionate Bruin banter.  “I’m an avid UCLA fan and attend just about every home football and basketball game; I’m looking forward to the new football season with a new coach,” said DuRoss.  He also recently completed his first half marathon, plays lots of basketball, snowboards and travels. 

DuRoss and Sarah, his wife of just 10 months, reside in Santa Monica.  “I’m lucky Sarah’s a Bruin too; it makes my life a little easier,” quips DuRoss.

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