In this episode, we welcome George Perno, CEO of Commercial Brokers International, who shares his incredible journey through the world of commercial real estate. With over 30 years of experience and more than $1 billion in closed transactions, George provides invaluable insights into CRE trends, the importance of strategic investment, and how to achieve financial freedom through real estate.
Join us as we explore his unique perspective on risk management, the significance of sacrifice in pursuing the American dream, and his innovative approach to building a successful brokerage.
Chapters:
(02:17) Accidentally starting a Real Estate business
(07:37) Scaling a Business
(12:01) Calculating risk and mitigating risk when doing transactions
(20:08) Your most valuable asset is time. It's the one thing that everybody has
(23:00) Time is a non-renewable resource
(30:41) What does the American dream mean to you?
(35:16) The importance of sacrifice in the entertainment industry
Sponsored by:
BLU Scholarship: https://www.blu.university/a/2147984849/YbykQKgP
George Pino bio:
George Pino is a seasoned commercial real estate expert with 31 years of experience and over $1 billion in closed transactions across more than 6,000 assets nationwide.
A 1987 USC graduate with a BS in Marketing, he began his career at Kennedy-Wilson, Inc. (1987–1993), where he rose to the position of Closing Department manager. His responsibilities included liaising with developers, tracking auction closings, and opening offices in New York, Massachusetts, Texas, Chicago, and Pleasanton, CA.
From 1993 to 2002, he joined The Sands Group (Fred Sands Realtors' auction division), where he targeted opportunities, conducted feasibility studies, managed sales agents, due diligence, vendors, title/escrow, staff, and closings. In 1995, he co-founded O.P.M. Investments, LLC, a real estate holding and property management firm with Joe Killinger.
In 2002, Pino launched Learning Links Centers, LLC, a socially responsible investment company focused on low- to moderate-income neighborhoods and resident education. It has acquired 7 buildings (467 units) valued at over $10 million, starting with a 29-unit property in Los Angeles' Baldwin Village.
That same year, he joined DBL Realtors to build its commercial division (later acquired by Sotheby's). Recognizing a need for client-focused boutique services, he co-founded Commercial Brokers International with Killinger, a full-service commercial brokerage.
Connect with George:
https://www.cbicommercial.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-pino-3898557
Connect with Cosmos:
Blog Post URL https://extraordinary-america.com