Home: Florida. Age: 56. Birthplace: Washington, DC. Profession: Financial advisor for real estate investors, specializing in 1031 exchanges and tax reduction strategies. Organization: 1031 Solutions, LLC. Title: President and Managing Member. Alma mater: University of Maryland.
Current project: Growing 1031 Solutions and improving how we help real estate investors navigate 1031 exchanges and tax-efficient strategies. Recent professional development: Continuing education focused on 1031 exchanges, real estate tax strategies, investment structures and the growing use of AI in business. Latest accomplishment: Refocusing completely on 1031 Solutions, the business I am most passionate about, while expanding the firm’s relationships and reach. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Becoming self-employed. Hobbies: Exercise, biking, paragliding and traveling; my work is also a passion.
Personality profile: Outgoing, loyal, optimistic, relationship-driven, decisive, curious and energetic. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Loyal. Moral compass: Treat others as you want to be treated. My word is everything. How do you define a perfect friendship? Loyalty, honesty, humor, mutual respect and being there for each other whether things are going well or not. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Trust, clear communication, mutual respect, reliability and a genuine desire for both sides to succeed. What is your greatest joy? Spending time with people I care about and knowing I have made a positive difference in someone’s life. What is your greatest fear? Wasting time on things that do not matter and realizing too late that I was not fully present for the people and experiences that do. What quality do you value most in people? Authenticity. I appreciate people who are comfortable being themselves, treat others well and do what they say they are going to do.
What was your first paying job? Working in a local restaurant and doing whatever needed to be done. It taught me early that every job matters and that how you treat people matters even more. What book have you repeatedly read? How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Dale Carnegie. His ideas about relationships, listening and treating people well have reinforced how I try to conduct myself. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Treat people the way you want to be treated and remember that your word is your reputation. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Stay focused on what you do best. Do not chase every opportunity just because it is available. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Becoming self-employed and building my own business. It forced me to trust myself, accept responsibility for outcomes and learn how much relationships matter. Who do you learn the most from today? Clients, friends and people who have built successful businesses. I learn a tremendous amount by asking questions and listening to how other people think.
What is your big idea?
Create an integrated advisory experience for real estate investors that brings together 1031 exchange strategy, replacement-property analysis, tax-aware decision-making and personal guidance.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Make complicated 1031 exchange and real estate investment decisions easier for investors to understand, evaluate and execute with confidence. What change would you like to see in the world? More empathy and less unnecessary division. People can disagree strongly and still treat one another with dignity and respect. What message do you want to send out into the world? Be ambitious, but do not let ambition keep you from enjoying your life. Treat people well, keep your word, stay curious and make time for the people who matter. What widely held belief do you reject? That being nice makes you weak in business. I believe kindness, trust and integrity can be competitive advantages.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Enjoy the Ride. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? George Clooney, mostly because if I am casting my own movie, I might as well aim high. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An entrepreneur. Even before I knew exactly what that meant, I liked the idea of building something of my own. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? A box of photographs and personal keepsakes—things that are meaningful because they cannot really be replaced. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With the people I love, somewhere beautiful near the water, eating a great meal, laughing, talking and not looking at the clock. What advice would you give your younger self? Slow down, enjoy the journey, put relationships ahead of accomplishments, do not fear mistakes and do not waste too much energy worrying about whether everyone likes you. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? A great family vacation when everyone I cared about was together, healthy, relaxed and simply enjoying one another.
Personal mission: To build meaningful relationships, help people make better decisions and use whatever success I have to make life better for the people around me. Personal motto: Treat people well, keep your word and enjoy the ride. Favorite quote: “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing” (Dale Carnegie). Desired epitaph: He treated people well, kept his word, loved his life and made a difference.
