Episode 053: Brad Gerla

Introduction:


 


Today’s guest is Brad Gerla, an Executive Vice President at CBRE
and the 2014 award winner for REBNY’s Sales Brokers Most
Ingenious Deal of the Year Award for 11 Madison Avenue. Given the
manner in which Brad exudes a youthful yet passionate and
relentless nature to make a difference for landlords and tenants
alike, he reminds me of what Albert Einstein was conveying in his
quote “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to
become a man of value.”


 


Episode Notes:


 


At 1:49, Brad Gerla discusses finding the balance between having
fun and the business of real estate. At 3:28, Brad notes the
importance of “doing your homework” on your clients as you are
negotiating on behalf of them. At 5:27, Gerla stresses to know
the business inside and out, and advises not to go half-assed
into anything – whether that be a pitch, presentation, or
meeting. At 6:57, he dives into his start in the business, and
elaborates on his mentor Jim Gross. At 9:43, Brad speaks on
leasing office buildings and knowing the product, as well as
space tours being your time to impress. At 12:17, Gerla
highlights CBRE’s platform and the firm’s resources. At 13:51, he
touches upon the Harlem Lacrosse charitable initiative. At 15:54,
Brad informs us of being a voracious reader, and the opportunity
one can receive through reading. At 19:10, Gerla credits
networking to being a key in business, and recollects meeting
Larry Haber at the ICSC convention in Las Vegas a couple of years
ago. At 21:35, he shares how he approaches the “game of life” –
family, health, and business. At 23:17, Brad talks about the over
60 lacrosse team in which he plays on. Gerla also notes that it’s
easy to stay focused when one is on a winning team in business.
At 25:24, he discusses Leasing REality’s and AGMB’s David Byrne
January event, and how he goes about making a difference in the
community. At 27:53, Brad reminisces about winning REBNY’s Sales
Brokers Most Ingenious Deal of the Year Award for 11 Madison
Avenue in 2014. At 30:21, Gerla dishes on being a “glass half
full” guy, and how he confronts challenges. At 31:35, Brad Gerla
closes out the podcast mentioning how his real estate stories
would make for great reading.