CB Richard Ellis is the world's leading commercial real estate services company. Their Carlsbad office handles leasing; the sale and management of commercial real estate properties including industrial, office, investment and golf/resort properties.
Executive's name: Jeff Woolson
Title: Senior Vice President/Managing Director
Company name: CB Richard Ellis, Inc. (North County office)
Address: 5780 Fleet Street, Suite 300, Carlsbad
Phone: (760) 438-8500
Web site: www.cbre.com/sdnorth
Founded: 1974 (Carlsbad), 1959 (San Diego), 1906 (San Francisco)
Prior experience: Radio advertising sales
2004 revenues: $2.75 billion trailing 12 months globally
Average hours worked weekly: 55
Number of teammates: 25 (Carlsbad), 180 (San Diego County), 15,000 (worldwide)
Residence: Carlsbad
Family: Wife, Anne of 16 years; son, Jeffrey, 6 and Daughter, Kate 4.
Hobbies: Fly fishing, ocean fishing and golf.
What got you into this business? After growing up in Los Angeles, I went to San Diego State University and had to figure a way to stay in San Diego after graduation. My mother-in-law was in the golf business and I saw a way to utilize our global platform to capitalize on an underserved niche, which was golf course brokerage. In 1990 the question was to starve at selling golf courses or to starve at leasing industrial? Riding around in golf carts seemed like a whole lot more fun–and it is.
What makes your business a standout? The incredible platform of commercial real estate services. We're able to help our clients locally, regionally and globally with the same level of service.
Drawbacks to your line of business: Salesperson compensation is 100 percent commission. The challenge becomes having a balance between work and personal time. Fortunately, for the same reasons, you have incredibly flexible work hours.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? The same reason people live here: Because of the great access to all of North County, including inland and Temecula.
How do you plan to grow? In addition to managing the Carlsbad office, I sell golf properties and although I've sold a number of hotels and resorts I've never focused on the Lodging industry specifically. We'll be hiring someone shortly to help expand our presence in that end of the business.
Toughest career decision: After I had established a nationwide golf course sales practice, I was asked to manage the CBRE North County office about three years ago.
Ongoing challenges: Balancing time between the golf practice and managing the North County Office.
Best way to stay competitive: Reinvent and plan.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? A balance of business both locally and throughout the country, with a core group of exceptional brokers that are the best in the business.
What does your company contribute to in the Carlsbad community? We are a Chamber member, Save our Schools (SOS) through the Century Club and HomeAid San Diego member.
What are your guiding principles? Do unto others…
What's one thing other people do not know about you? I used to be an on-air disc jockey.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? Test out that Telecommunications and Film degree I received from SDSU.
Choice for a second career: Broadcaster.
People you look up to and why: Stay-at-home moms. It's the toughest job in the world.
Favorite movie: Pulp Fiction
Favorite quote: "To whom much is given, much is expected."
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Love what you do and the money will follow.
Executive's name: Jeff Woolson
Title: Senior Vice President/Managing Director
Company name: CB Richard Ellis, Inc. (North County office)
Address: 5780 Fleet Street, Suite 300, Carlsbad
Phone: (760) 438-8500
Web site: www.cbre.com/sdnorth
Founded: 1974 (Carlsbad), 1959 (San Diego), 1906 (San Francisco)
Prior experience: Radio advertising sales
2004 revenues: $2.75 billion trailing 12 months globally
Average hours worked weekly: 55
Number of teammates: 25 (Carlsbad), 180 (San Diego County), 15,000 (worldwide)
Residence: Carlsbad
Family: Wife, Anne of 16 years; son, Jeffrey, 6 and Daughter, Kate 4.
Hobbies: Fly fishing, ocean fishing and golf.
What got you into this business? After growing up in Los Angeles, I went to San Diego State University and had to figure a way to stay in San Diego after graduation. My mother-in-law was in the golf business and I saw a way to utilize our global platform to capitalize on an underserved niche, which was golf course brokerage. In 1990 the question was to starve at selling golf courses or to starve at leasing industrial? Riding around in golf carts seemed like a whole lot more fun–and it is.
What makes your business a standout? The incredible platform of commercial real estate services. We're able to help our clients locally, regionally and globally with the same level of service.
Drawbacks to your line of business: Salesperson compensation is 100 percent commission. The challenge becomes having a balance between work and personal time. Fortunately, for the same reasons, you have incredibly flexible work hours.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? The same reason people live here: Because of the great access to all of North County, including inland and Temecula.
How do you plan to grow? In addition to managing the Carlsbad office, I sell golf properties and although I've sold a number of hotels and resorts I've never focused on the Lodging industry specifically. We'll be hiring someone shortly to help expand our presence in that end of the business.
Toughest career decision: After I had established a nationwide golf course sales practice, I was asked to manage the CBRE North County office about three years ago.
Ongoing challenges: Balancing time between the golf practice and managing the North County Office.
Best way to stay competitive: Reinvent and plan.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? A balance of business both locally and throughout the country, with a core group of exceptional brokers that are the best in the business.
What does your company contribute to in the Carlsbad community? We are a Chamber member, Save our Schools (SOS) through the Century Club and HomeAid San Diego member.
What are your guiding principles? Do unto others…
What's one thing other people do not know about you? I used to be an on-air disc jockey.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? Test out that Telecommunications and Film degree I received from SDSU.
Choice for a second career: Broadcaster.
People you look up to and why: Stay-at-home moms. It's the toughest job in the world.
Favorite movie: Pulp Fiction
Favorite quote: "To whom much is given, much is expected."
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Love what you do and the money will follow.