Joe Lin believes he can  make an important change in the perception of commercial brokers within the Chinese community.  As the newly-elected, first Asian-American member of the AIR’s Board of Directors, Joe brings blue chip credentials to the challenge.  

Joe is a former petroleum engineer who entered commercial real estate in 1994 with CB Richard Ellis where he served until 2006.   He joined Lee & Associates – Ontario as a principal in 2006 and has the accompanying title of senior vice president.  Lee colleague Doug Earnhart and Bart Reinhard of CBRE, both AIR past presidents, recommended Joe for the directorship.

“I’m happy and honored to be on the AIR Board.   It means a lot that Doug and Bart recommended me.  I don’t know any other organization that provides better service than AIR, and the Board members comprise one of the best group of people I’ve been associated with,” Joe said.

It was at CBRE that Joe quickly established himself as the top Asian-American commercial real estate professional in North America, having set up the “Greater China Desk”, which focused on the real estate needs of the Chinese/Pacific Rim communities.  “I was able to take advantage of my language skills and understanding of both cultures,” said Joe.

Among Joe’s goals as an AIR Board member is to enhance the image of brokers within the Chinese community.  “ With AIR’s help, I’m hoping to improve the image of brokers within this community by communicating that brokers are true professionals rather than the predominant perception that they are  simply middle men.  I think I can do that, though it’s a tall order.”

With 60 percent of his business within the Asian community (mostly with Chinese), Joe emphasizes that the Chinese impact on the commercial real estate market today is substantial.  “Without the Chinese component, our industry would be in a lot more trouble.  Many of the biggest deals today involve the Chinese/Asian community, including the largest deal in the Inland Empire during 2009 comprising 1.1 million square feet.  Both the  buyer and seller were Chinese.  Joe himself represented Chinese-owned Maxzone Auto Parts in their acquisition of a 300,000 square foot warehouse in Fontana.

Joe earned a Master of Science degree in Geology at Texas A&M University and completed executive training from Thunderbird Graduate School of Business.  He also obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Chinese Culture.  He was a director of the Chinese-American Real Estate Professional Association of Southern California.

Joe and his wife, Tina, reside in Yorba Linda.  They have three children, Max, 29, Yvonne, 26, and Elaine, 19.

“Phil Graf was a good guy, he was my best friend, my brother.   Together we were magic.”  That’s how Mr. Mark Minsky, Mr Graf’s long-time partner at Commerce Escrow Company, described Mr. Graf, the firm’s founder and President.  Mr. Graf died unexpectedly on February 8. He was 73.

A memorial service to celebrate and remember the life of Philip R. Graf will be held Saturday, February 20 at 11 a.m. in the SkyRose Chapel within the Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary.  Rose Hills is located at 3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.

A major supporter and sponsor of the AIR along with Mr. Minsky virtually since the Association’s inception, Mr. Graf entered the escrow industry in 1962 at Title Insurance & Trust in downtown Los Angeles.  He formed Commerce Escrow Company on May 5, 1980 (he would have celebrated the firm’s 30th year in less than 90 days).   Mr. Graf and Mr. Minsky became partners in 1982 and moved the company from Washington Blvd. to its current location at 1545 Wilshire Blvd.

An outstanding athlete, Mr. Graf played Triple A baseball in the Dodger chain at Spokane.  Mr. Minsky said his friend’s diamond career was cut short when Tommy Davis plowed into him during a slide.

But it was in the escrow arena that AIR members will recall the distinctive mark Mr. Graf made.  “He was innovative and creative, having launched Commerce Escrow during a 20 percent interest rate environment,” said Mr. Minsky.   For example, with AIR’s cooperation, Mr. Graf contributed to the development of a purchase agreement that also constituted escrow instructions.  “We also used to have a DRE credited dog and pony show on escrows that was quite popular,” Mr. Minsky said.  “Among Phil’s strongest attributes, however, was an attitude that nothing could get in your way to overcome problems.”.

Mr. Graf  had an abiding love for his children and was still in love with his late wife, Jeanne L., Mr. Minksy said.   He is survived by children Danielle Graf, Kevin Graf, Pam Whelehon, Michael Jones and five grandchildren.  Another son, Tony, predeceased Mr. Graf.

AIR members are reminded that “SuperSheets” are posted on a daily basis on AIR’s updated web site.  “This is a password protected service designed for members only.  Your current AIRMail password will allow you to access this information,” said Margo Castaneda , MULTIPLE Manager for AIR.  If you need assistance with your user name and password, please call AIR’s technical support department at (213) 687-8777.  “SuperSheets” are daily updates of all major new listings and changes throughout the AIR service area reported on a region-by-region basis.  If you would like to subscribe to additional regions or would like to feature your listing on AIR’s Super Sheet, please contact the Multiple Department at (213) 687-8777 or email at laresearch@airea.com.

Jack Haley has been a successful industrial broker for some 20 years, in no small measure because he’s adapted to market dynamics.

Jack is a principal in the Orange office of Lee & Associates where he has served since 2000.  During his career, he has completed over 1400 transactions focusing on leases and sales of industrial property in the Central and West Orange County submarkets.  Demonstrating client versatility, he says he spends about half his time representing buyers/tenants; the other half representing landlords.

Adhering to a brokerage style that accents client satisfaction, Jack says, “I strive to satisfy my clients by understanding their goals and accomplishing them.  This has also produced substantial repeat business for me and helps get you through difficult markets.”

Another thing that gets you through difficult markets, suggests Jack, is a willingness to tackle non-traditional transactions.  “Most of us are doing deals today we’ve never done before.  We just completed a Bankruptcy sale and Short Sale.  I haven’t done that in 20 years, but we’re adapting to the market realities,” Jack explained.  “Yet I’m optimistic about commercial real estate this year, especially based on revived activity we’ve seen over the last few months,” he adds.

Among Jack’s recent outstanding transactions is representing Tenacore, Inc., along with partner Greg Diab, in the purchase of a 33,000 square foot industrial building in Santa Ana for $3.4 million.   The team also handled a short sale representing a buyer of a 15,000 square foot building in Santa Ana for $1.5 million.

A graduate of Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Real Estate, Jack and his wife, Rosalind, and their son JT, 7, and daughter, Ava, 4, reside in north Tustin.    In his leisure, he enjoys skiing and coaching youth baseball.

Los Angeles County
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