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Here’s what attracted some of Arizona’s most influential commercial real estate leaders to the industry
LARRY DOWNEY, vice chairman, Cushman & Wakefield: “Commercial real estate allows me the chance to interface with companies and their decision-makers, assisting them with corporate occupancy decisions. Every day, there are challenges that afford me the opportunity to problemsolve and find solutions for clients. No two days are alike, juggling transactions in Phoenix or cities across the U.S.”
MOLLY RYAN CARSON, senior vice president and Southwest Region market leader, Ryan Companies US: “Family. The opportunity to work for a company that embodies my values and the opportunity to positively impact communities attracted me to the industry. Many things have surprised me throughout the years. What didn’t surprise me is hard work, honesty and talent are easy to spot and it’s even easier to spot their absence.”
LEROY BREINHOLT, president and designated broker, Commercial Properties Inc.: “For some reason I have wanted to be in real estate since I was a child growing up in Phoenix. I always loved selling things — from door-to-door candy sales as a child, to selling odds and ends as a teenager, to buying, fixing and selling cars as a teenager and during the first three of four years in the real estate business. I love the strategy of putting people together to ‘attempt’ to create a win-win situation and have both parties leaving happy and fulfilled.”
Bob Mulhern, senior managing director, Colliers International: “My father was a home builder and I always wanted to be in the development business. My first job out of college was for Continental Homes, and I moved into the commercial side of the business very shortly thereafter. I have since been involved in development, management, brokerage and ownership of commercial properties.”
6 | July-August 2021
SHARON HARPER, chairman, president and CEO, Plaza Companies: “Plaza Companies started with an idea back in 1982 and has grown into a great success story with an excellent reputation. It has not surprised me, but it has very much taught me the value of creating strong partnerships and operating your business with the utmost integrity.”
PAT FEENEY, executive vice president, CBRE: “As a restaurant owner in town in the mid-1980s, I heard many unbelievable stories at the bar from customers in commercial real estate. I told my wife that if half of what they were saying was true, I had to get into that game. The rest is history.”
