Name: Bill Diamond
Title: Managing Member
Company: Diamond Properties, LLC
Location: Mount Kisco, N.Y.
Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
Education: College - Amherst College; high school - St. Paul's School.
First job in real estate or allied field: When looking for new space for our electronics manufacturing company in the early 90's, we ended up purchasing our first building (10,000 s/f), and then a larger one in 1995 when we needed more space. That second one was an empty 140,000 s/f office building. We ended up using around 20,000 s/f for ourselves and we managed to fully lease the balance to other tenants over 18 months.
What do you do now and what are you planning for the future? We currently own a mix of office, medical, retail, and industrial properties, and we are now focusing more on industrial acquisitions. In addition we have begun to invest in entertainment properties like bowling alleys and indoor go kart racing facilities.
How do you unwind from a busy day in real estate? Hopefully making it home for dinner with the family and sharing a bottle of wine with my wife, Katie.
Favorite book or author: I don't get the chance to read as much as I'd like, but I've always been fond of Ernest Hemingway.
Favorite movie: I'm not a huge fan of going to a movie theatre and actually prefer to watch movies at home. I can't say I have a favorite movie but I do enjoy watching great movies of any genre, especially foreign movies from Spain and Italy.
Last song you purchased/downloaded? I prefer Pandora. Can't say I've downloaded a song in a very long time.
One word to describe your work environment: Rewarding
Rules to live by in business: Be open to new ideas and embrace change when necessary.
If you could invite one person to dinner (living or dead) who would it be and where would you go? Winston Churchill at a terrific steak house.
What is your dream job? What I am doing now.

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