Coffee Break: Randy D. Podolsky

Q: What's new at your company?

A: We have established, and continually evolve, a more formalized investment advisory platform that interconnects our team's brokerage, operational and ownership experience with our technological and marketing resources. This allows us to provide our clients the same high quality investment services we have always offered, in a more institutional friendly format.

Q: What keeps you up at night?

A: Callous and selfish people. I have never been able to truly understand them, but I can't seem to simply "dismiss" their actions. Deal structure and problem solving wake me up. My mind is always working and often solutions come to me when I least expect them.

Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?

A: We are always interested in additional entrepreneurial brokers that meet our philosophical and team oriented environment. Other hires are on an as-needed support and property specific basis. Likewise, we are continually investing in technology to enhance our advisory and management services.

Q: What will your company's main challenges be in the next year?

A: Stay ahead of industry and economic changes - and the competition - while remaining viable and profitable. Fortunately, or unfortunately, this isn't something new. For the past 40-plus years, since the firm was founded, we've traveled through and emerged from many real estate economic cycles. While no two cycles are exactly the same, it is perseverance, creative thinking and a good old fashioned work ethic that are at the heart of being able to survive the downturns and emerge stronger than when we entered.

Q: What's the hottest trend in your industry?

A: The return of capital and an abundance of available debt coupled with a growing zeal from investors for acquiring industrial properties. Cash flow versus growth and risk appetite balance the markets.

Q: If you had one tip to give to a rookie CEO, what would it be?

A: You get one integrity, use it wisely.

Q: Do you have a business mantra?

A: "Do what you say you will do" comes to mind. And good communication is a major key to success.

Q: What is one interesting fact about you or your company that most people may not know?

A: We are not family owned or operated, but instead are a group of like-minded entrepreneurs with a passion for delivering institutional results to people with whom we build long-term relationships.

We are not cut from the "make a quick buck" cloth. We offer a great level of balance and diversification in terms of the expertise we provide. Equally as important, we know when to bring in the expertise that another one of our team members provide.

In the end, we have a special knack of accomplishing what the client needs and wants using our 40 years of experience in operating and owning commercial real estate.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Anything outdoors, preferably in Colorado or on the water in any locale. I also volunteer for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - which results in far less "free time" for me. As an elected leader of the auxiliary I have had the honor of serving our country, supporting the U.S. Coast Guard in all of its missions and focusing my experience on boating safety and education.

I have also performed search and rescue while at the same time learning more about how to boat, and boat safely, than I could even have imagined.

Q: What book is on your nightstand?

A: None, I am way to busy reading manuals and legal documents for sport reading. Hopefully when I slow down I will get to enjoy a novel.

Q: What was your first paying job?

A: After selling magazine subscriptions to office workers in Grant Park during the lunch hour, my first "real" job was managing a gas station at night, Tracy's 66 at Howard and California in Chicago, when I was 15.

I had a bent for being daring and went on to manage a bar in Des Moines during my first year of college, even though I was only 17 and the drinking age was 18.

Q: If you could put your company name on a sports venue, which one would you choose?

A: Let's Go Hawks! I wish it had been Chicago Stadium, but as a big Blackhawks fan for more than 50 years, today it would be United Center. Can I sponsor the Stanley Cup?

Q: What is one funny thing that has happened to you in your career?

A: My father told me I could work half a day - "Pick any 12 hours you want!" My biggest challenge, though, given the way I work, is which 12 to pick. It usually ends up being more than 12 and the Podolsky curse, it is often at atypical hours.

- Kim Mikus