Pulice of JRT Realty expounds her influences, contributions

Name: Jodi Pulice Title: President Company/firm: JRT Realty Group, Inc. Years with Company/firm: 16 Years in field: 30 Years in real estate industry: 30 Address: 780 Third Avenue Telephone: 212-445-1200 Email: [email protected] URL: www.jrtrealty.com Real estate organizations/affiliations: REBNY, WBENC, Women Presidents' Organization During the last 10 years of your career, which professional accomplishment, honor or achievement was most meaningful to you and why? Although it has been slightly over a decade, starting my own business was a tremendous challenge. There were few women working in the commercial real estate industry in those days and women business owners in that sector even rarer. Achieving certification as a Minority/Woman-owned Business Enterprise in 1996 was also transformational. Today, JRT Realty Group is the largest M/WBE commercial real estate company in the country - and bringing that kind of diversity to the commercial real estate conversation is immensely gratifying. Which project, deal or transaction was the 'game changer' in the advancement of your career during the last 10 years? The "game changer" for us occurred in 2003 when we formed a strategic alliance with Cushman & Wakefield, one of the world's largest privately-held real estate companies. Although we had already opened offices in N.Y.C. and L.A., it gave us access to a tremendous network and a greater ability to serve our clients, nationally. Our most important project is happening now at One World Trade Center, where we are working on the leasing team with Cushman & Wakefield. How do you contribute to your company and / or the industry? As president, I oversee all of JRT's current operations and make decisions about our future. I'm a very hands-on, "buck stops here" kind of person, whether riding a hoist 100 stories at One World Trade Center or pitching new business. I also work hard to provide guidance to our team, as well as an extra set of eyes. As the chief cheerleader, I watch everyone's back and make sure JRT Realty is a congenial environment to work in. What advice would you give to women just starting out in commercial real estate? Believe in yourself and work hard. Surround yourself with people you respect, women and men, who can provide guidance and experienced acumen. Also, know your environment, get out there and learn the landscape, top to bottom. If you're working in Midtown Manhattan, research the buildings behind the addresses, including their exact locations, amenities, surrounding neighborhood and, most importantly, the management and leasing teams. Real estate is a small world, so get out there and meet the people who make it happen, through industry organizations and events. How do you manage the work/life balance? I am blessed with the greatest team and work with my husband, Greg Smith, so we share responsibilities and understand the pressure equally. Our kids are grown and one of our children is studying in Rome this year, so we all took a family vacation together. The other thing is that Greg and I love our work so when we take it home with us, that's a good thing, too. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? I was lucky enough to be introduced to the real estate industry by one of the toughest, most independent women I've ever known, Mary Salerno at Berley & Co. It was over 30 years ago, and Salerno worked in every category, including commercial, retail and investment sales. She was also one of the most generous women I've ever known in terms of mentoring and guidance-and she was a founder of AREW. How are you using social media to promote yourself, your products and / or your firm? We're on nearly all of them and we upload our marketing materials to Facebook practically on a daily basis. LinkedIn has become a supplemental Rolodex for me and my staff. What at first felt like an extra hassle has turned out to be a great marketing opportunity for us. Where would you like to be 10 years from today? Well, we just got back from visiting our son in Rome, where he's studying, and in a perfect world, I'd say let's open an office there! I love my work and 10 years is a drop in the bucket when you're satisfied with what you do for a living, so maybe we'll carry it abroad and become the largest M/WBE Commercial Real Estate company in the world!