Home: Kansas City, MO. Age: 34. Birthplace: Independence, MO. Profession: Real estate investment, consulting and development. Organization: BrightStar Property Group LLC. Title: CEO. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Significant other: Tawar Khalandi. Alma mater: University of Missouri - Kansas City (MS, Entrepreneurial Real Estate; BA, Political Science).
Current project: Renovating and developing retail and mixed-use properties. Latest accomplishment: Renovating Mission shops (5901 Johnson Dr), Lenexa Plaza, and Quivira Square; keeping my two kids alive and baby number 3 on the way. Latest contribution to others: Working with Veterans Affairs and Veterans Community Project to help house former veterans facing homelessness in our community. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Surpassing $100mm AUM; development projects currently in design phase. Hobbies: Gardening, reading, playing with my kids, hiking, traveling. Recent travel or adventure: Not that recent, but I have climbed Kilimanjaro and hiked in the Himalayas in Bhutan. Last book read: The Final Empire (Mistborn series), by Brandon Sanderson. Recently viewed and recommended: Witcher, Lazarus Project, Slow Horses. Recent unique acquisition: Intake Breathing Magnetic Bands, the best sleep and breathing hack ever.
Personality profile: ENFP (Campaigner: extroverted, intuitive, feeling, perceiving). What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Resilient. Moral compass: If, by Rudyard Kipling; Stoicism; the many life lessons and sermons by my minister/grocer grandfather. How do you define a perfect friendship? Through thick or thin (see Jeremy Renner and Ben Affleck “Whose Car We Taking?” scene from The Town). How do you define an ideal business relationship? Open, transparent, mutually advantageous, win-win. What is your greatest joy? Making my wife and kids smile; holding them in my arms. What is your greatest fear? Losing my loved ones. What is your guilty pleasure? Oreos. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Explaining something followed by, right? What natural talent have you neglected? Singing. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Writers and actors; nurses and caretakers. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Trying new restaurants. What is at the top of your bucket list? Take my wife on the honeymoon I have put off for years. How do you relieve stress? A couple of pints or cocktails with my best friends at our social club, cracking jokes, telling lies, sharing stories. What is your go-to workout? My favorite is just a nice walk or hike. But daily, lifting for 20 - 40 minutes in the home gym to keep from falling apart. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Sunshine.
What was your first paying job? Making sandwiches at Back Yard Burgers in Blue Springs, MO. What was your favorite college course? Comparative Politics Seminar. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Football. What book have you repeatedly read? Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien; Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Star Wars (all), Lord of the Rings (all). What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Photos of my wife and kids. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My grandparents. Small business owners, grocers, involved in the community, ministers, the best grandparents you could ask for. What’s the best advice you received growing up? The only way out is through. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Plan your work and work your plan. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? AI, as long as it doesn’t take over the world. What is your favorite app? Libby. What is your go-to source of news and information? Other people, followed up with research needed. I hate the news. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? For our properties, my wife and her friends, a discerning group. What company or organization do you most admire? Veteran’s Community Project. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11, Covid-19. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Meeting and marrying my wife; the birth of my kids, founding my business.
What is your big idea?
Create spaces that can create community and connection.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Continuing to work on renovating good community and neighborhood properties and add density in clever and well-designed ways. What change would you like to see in the world? Greater connection, less conflict. What message do you want to send out into the world? Love thy neighbor. What widely held belief do you reject? That crypto is stupid and the powers that be should have never let it become what it is. What mega-trend most excites you? Scientific advancements in energy (fusion) and health. What mega-trend most concerns you? AI, which is simultaneously interesting and terrifying.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Resilience. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Charlie Hunnam. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Anthony Bourdain. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A chef. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Nothing, none of it matters. Just my family. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Eat great food and have a cocktail or two with my family and friends. What advice would you give your younger self? Be careful who you partner with in your business, your deals, and your life. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? Second date with my wife at the Middle of the Map Fest in 2014 in Kansas City.
Personal mission: Living well and doing good. Being a good husband, father and friend. Showing up whenever and wherever my loved ones need me. Personal motto: If, by Rudyard Kipling. Favorite quote: “And so it goes…” (Kurt Vonnegut). Desired epitaph: Husband, father, friend.
