Most commercial real estate professionals know the frustration of stalled projects. In LACRA lead chair Rick Gold’s case, it led to a career. As Rick (with his wife and granddaughters) tells it, 38 years ago he and a buddy were going to go into the ice cream business, but the retail complex where they planned to open a Swenson’s didn't get built. Another friend introduced him to the real estate business and “it was the best decision I ever made other than marrying my wife.” (The ice cream will always be there.) Today, Rick’s a senior executive VP of NAI Capital and manages the West LA office. He’s also the business director for NAI Capital with respect to NAI Global business.

He says LACRA fosters education, a high degree of ethics and networking among its 175 members. The group’s gearing up for its annual golf tournament at the Industry Hills Golf Club on June 12, as well as getting ready for LACRA’s annual Capital Markets program at the Riviera Country Club in July. Rick’s spare time is spent at the beach playing paddle tennis and hanging with his family, who include two granddaughters and a third grandchild on the way. In fact, he and his wife will be going to Houston soon for their daughter-in-law’s baby shower.