Pete Gentry has been a commercial broker with CLC Realty in Southpoint for two years.
WHAT’S CLC REALTY?
The company was started two years ago by Gentry, who’s the broker, and partners Susy Turney and Tom Frohne. They specialize in industrial, office and land sales.
CLIENTS?
Developers and investors.
BEFORE CLC REALTY, LLC?
He worked for Addison Commercial Real Estate for two years.
BEFORE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE?
He and his partner Turney have been in informational technology for 30 years. Most recently, he was the informational technology director for Bombardier Capital Mortgage for two years. Prior to that he was the informational technology director for the ATP Tour in Ponte Vedra Beach and before that he was the informational technology director for the Tree of Life in St. Augustine.
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE?
“When I left Bombardier, I was doing some consulting work and a friend of mine who was a real estate investor asked me to come and help him lease some of his retail space. I dabbled in that part-time while I was consulting. I realized that the only way I was going to make money at it was to get a license, so I did. You don’t do real estate part-time. You have to do it full-time to make it pay off.”
HOW DOES YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP YOU NOW?
“I developed skills and talents as an executive by dealing with people, having employees and working with vendors. The technology helped so we are not afraid of computers, we can take care of it ourselves and we didn’t have to hire anyone to manage our computer system.”
COLLEGE?
Gentry earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Purdue University.
MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE?
“Timing. You are not doing a whole lot of transactions. We’ve done about 13 this year and have about six pending.”
BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE RECEIVED?
“To always be fair in your dealings.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
Gentry said he has learned to be patient.
ADVICE FOR A NEW COMMERCIAL REALTOR?
Gentry said that they need be able to go a long time with no income. “If they think they are going to come in, work a few deals and make a certain amount here and a certain amount there, it may not happen. I’ve gone months with no income. And then I’ve done real well. It just comes and goes.”
PROFESSIONAL/CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS?
Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. He is on the board of the Downtown Council of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Professional Advisory Council for the Alzheimer’s Association, past president of several Kiwanis Clubs, on the board of the Deercreek County Club Owner’s Association and a vestryman at the Church of our Savior in Mandarin.
-by Michele Newbern Gillis