We admire how commercial real estate folks give back to their industry and community. Often, this takes the form of leadership in professional trade associations. Meet the heads of two of your local associations.
BOMA San Diego president Kristin Howell
You might say Kristin (here with husband David) has been hot doggin' it since her early years growing up in Arcata (that's in Humboldt County up in NorCal, in case your knowledge has geographical bounds). She was working in a hot dog joint when the owner, a San Francisco developer, hired her to manage the entire shopping center—at the tender age of 16. Today, as a senior portfolio manager at Meissner Jacquet, she oversees an array of properties, from Class-A office to retail to commercial owners associations. At the 300-member BOMA San Diego, her priorities have been to grow the principal membership composed of owners and managers.
According to Kristin, the key to getting the most out of your membership is by getting "plugged in"—joining one of BOMA San Diego's 14 committees (from community service to governmental affairs). She also tells us BOMA San Diego has funded 17 "membership scholarships," a relatively new program. The members are proud that their colleagues at Kilroy Centre Del Mar recently won a Pacific Southwest region TOBY Award, and will go on to compete at the international level. Kristin's still involved with hot dogs. She and David have two mini dachshunds. For the past few years, both pups have participated in annual Labor Day wiener dog races at Del Mar.
NAIOP San Diego president Tom Turner
Tom (with his wife) was doing litigation work just out of law school, when he realized he'd rather get into an area that can result in a win-win for both sides. He shifted into real estate law and today, he's managing partner of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, San Diego's largest law firm—more than 140 attorneys. (The San Diego County Bar Association just named him Outstanding Attorney of the Year in its annual Service Awards.) As president of NAIOP San Diego, he's got a catch phrase: Keeping it strong, keeping it fresh, and keeping it real.
He says it refers to the 580-member chapter's strong programs (including developing leaders, community service, legislative advocacy) and unwillingness to rest on its laurels by continuing to innovate and provide value to its sponsors and members. Many of the chapter's community service efforts benefit the 1st Marines Special Operations Battalion at Camp Pendleton—recently, they raised over $250k with a black-tie "suitcase party" at Palomar McClellan Airport. Attendees had packed a bag, prepared to be jetted to Napa in case they won. (We always bring a suitcase to parties, but that's just so we can bring our Tupperware home.)
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