On this week’s episode, I am speaking with Will Ingraham, a partner at GDC Properties. Back in my Massey Knakal days we sold Will’s company a loft conversion in Brooklyn. I have stayed in touch and have guest lectured for him at Fordham University where he teaches a class on affordable housing.

I love how Will is a big picture thinker. When I asked if his knowledge base was his Insider’s Edge, he said it was quite the opposite. He said as a generalist his value is knowing who to bring into complex situations whether for entitling land or figuring out how to capitalize affordable development.

Will recounts his early days as a house painter in Manhattan, when he stumbled across a development opportunity. As he had followed real estate from an early age, he was able to assemble the site and essentially flip the contract to score a big profit  launching him into the real estate business. He then went on to spec homes in Milford, NY where he ultimately met Martin Ginsburg a founder of GDC properties.  They were not only the largest developer in Westchester, NY but went on to amass 3 million SF of shopping centers nationwide, as well as developing hotel projects.

Will’s past roles at the company include president and chief investment officer. He has been responsible for developing and implementing the company’s strategic vision, overseeing acquisitions and dispositions of property and leading new development activity. Mr. Ingraham is also managing member in the Peregrine Opportunity Zone fund. He holds a master of science degree in real estate development from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.

I know you will get a lot out of this episode especially the students out there. Will’s advice is to learn a hard skill so you can add value. He is also a big believer in being a problem solver.