Yes, we did feel a little like James Lipton drawing those personal stories out of Chip Akridge yesterday at our Bisnow Schmoozarama at theCity Club. But what are legends like Chip good for if not to tell stories—and he did his part, keeping the audience of 120 in rapt attention for an hour.
Chip, above center, during the pre-session schmooze, with Green Earth Consulting's Demetrius Robinson, left, and Kane's Tony Brannon.Sitting informally on a stool, he answered our pesky questions about his upbringing in Knoxville, how he and his wife Sally (in attendance) selected Washington as the place to live, his marathoning in Greece on China, his trips to the North and South Pole, and his environmental passions on the Chesapeake. Plus, he told us all about Akridge's current projects (esp. that amazing Burnham Place) and philosophies (embracing live/work/play, sustainability, and transportation accessibility) and plans for the future. And even prophesied a little about the economy.
Big thanks to great sponsors, from left: Buch Construction's Carl Buch; Womble Carlyle DC Managing Partner Pam Rothenberg; and Group Goetz Architects' Mary Ellen Curto and Lewis Goetz.
Now here's some neat connections: ONCORE Construction PresidentBob McDaniel, right, gave Akridge honcho Bob Schofield, center, his first job in 1988 when Bob was head of Omni Concrete Construction. AndSuffolk's Reg Arnold, left, gave Bob his first job when Reg was at HITTdoing Sibley Hospital. Bob, who you've read about in our pages for his sailing feats, tells us he's training his 11 year old this summer by taking him to Newport, RI, to "learn the circuit."
American Painting and Janitorial's Bill Holmes, Moving Masters' Harry Ponack, and Kastle Systems' Harold Nelson. Bill's company got an ?ABBIE? Award last month as small business of the year from theArlington Chamber of Commerce. Harry, for his part, is moving tenants out of 1717 and 1725 K Street as those buildings prepare to be replaced. For his 37th anniversary July 4, Harold is planning to take his wife to Rome, Naples, Assisi and Capri. She may not want to come back from Capri, but what the heck, 37 years was pretty good.
From left, Buch Construction project engineer Anthony Agliata, Group Goetz senior project architect David Hathway, Buch Tenant Division VP?Gonzo? Martinez, Buch project engineer project engineer Jackie Packer, and Quadrangle VP Jeff Bates. Jeff is back in the real estate field doing acquisitions and marketing (he used to work for Mark Winkler) after a hiatus as CFO of a tech consulting company.
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