Brenda Garretson, CCIM, RPA, FMA Associate Broker CB Richard Ellis - Albany

Name: Brenda Garretson Title: Associate Broker, CCIM, RPA, FMA Company: CB Richard Ellis/Albany Location: Albany, N.Y. Birthplace and year: Bayshore, L.I., N.Y., 1966 Family: Husband, David (13 years); sons: Christopher (6) and Jonathon (5) College: Manhattan Community College First job outside of real estate: Have been in commercial real estate for over 21 years. Been working since I was 13: restaurants, bakeries, painting contractor First job in real estate or allied field: NYC: small real estate investment firm, which was a spin-off from a larger real estate company. Worked as "assistant to the president." We acquired a $50 million mixed-use complex in Pittsburgh, Penn. What do you do now and what are you planning for the future: CBRE is the world's largest real estate company. Our office, in the Capital District, has the largest volume of transactions annually. We are a traditional brokerage firm. Hobbies: Golf, boating, anything with my children (field trips, amusement parks, etc.) Person you admire most (outside of family): Sam Walton Keys to success: Hard work, dedication, passion. My first real boss told me two things that I never forgot, "You are only as strong as your weakest link" and "Use all available resources." They both apply to everything in life - not just work. If you had to choose another vocation what would it be: Junior high school teacher/guidance counselor or involved in the restoration of historic/old buildings.