Jen Hicks-Jones’ Post

We had a great time learning more about Tracey Pledger, who is an Assistant Property Manager in our #Texas office! Read more about Tracey's interests outside of the office. 1. Name and In what city are you located? ✨ Houston, Texas 2. What is your position and how long have you been at Commonwealth Commercial? ✨ I'm an Assistant Property Manager. I’ve been with the company 4.5 years. 3. What would you be voted “Most Likely to”? ✨ I'm most likely to give away the shirt off my back.  4. If you could be present for any past historic event, what would it be? ✨ Martin Luther King’s I Have A Dream Speech during the March On Washington For Jobs and Freedom 8/28/1963. 5. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? ✨ I would want to fly. 6. If you could go to any concert, past or present, whose would it be? ✨ Earth, Wind, and Fire any time before 2016. 7. Name one fun fact or hidden talent. ✨ I see dead people. (kidding but it makes me laugh) 8. What is one 2024 goal you have, personal or professional? ✨ I will begin writing a book. 9. Do you have any 2024 vacation plans? If so, where are you going? ✨ I plan to cruise the southern Caribbean with my 82-year-old mother.  10. What is your favorite part of working at CCP? ✨ The employees of CCP are a great group of people to work with. #commonwealthcommercial #ccp #cre #commercialrealestate #propertymanagement #employeespotlight #houston #rva

This week, we had the opportunity to connect with Liz Holmes and discovered more about her interests and activities outside of the office! What city are you located in? ⭐ Minneapolis, MN What is your position and how long have you been at Commonwealth Commercial? ⭐ Senior Property Manager – Just short of 5 years What would you be voted “Most Likely to”? ⭐ Most Likely to break out in a song (usually have one line I remember) and most times not even a good song. If you could be present for any past historic event, what would it be? ⭐ In the harbor watching the chests of tea being thrown overboard from British ships. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? ⭐ Changing into a fly – because sometimes there is some drama that you just want to know about but not be a part of. If you could go to any concert, past or present, whose would it be? ⭐ Patsy Cline, Etta James, or Nate King Cole Name one fun fact or hidden talent. ⭐ Weird sense of humor What is one 2024 goal you have, personal or professional? ⭐ It’s the same one every year – to be the best person I can be. Do you have any 2024 vacation plans? If so, where are you going? ⭐ Hopefully, head up to our Lake Property more often this summer and hang with the hubby. What is your favorite part of working at CCP? ⭐ The People of course! Also, the integrity and values of the company and its employees. #commonwealthcommercial #ccp #cre #commercialrealestate #propertymanagement #teamspotlight #minneapolis #rva

It’s my 4 year anniversary with Baker Hill this month! 4 years at a company I am so proud to be a part of—that has been named one of The Indianapolis Star’s #2024TopWorkplaces! When I joined in May of 2020, I hadn’t been actively looking. In fact, I almost didn’t answer the recruiter’s call. The day of my first phone interview, there was a wind sheer that knocked down all of the power lines on my street, so I almost rescheduled, but something told me to find a way to make it work. So… I drove to the Culver’s parking lot and apologized for not being on camera and also being a bit frazzled. It was May of 2020 after all. I was a full-time career woman balancing the needs of a 4th grader struggling to use a computer mouse and learning to log into zoom for e-learning/dance lessons/drumming, a 4 year old missing her preschool routine and friends to play with, an IT-professional-husband working to help his large company pivot all systems, programs, and people to a remote environment, my beloved employees who all had various stressors and obligations needing a caring ear and patience, my newly appointed role as head chef for all family meals (breakfast-lunch-dinner)—and now I had no power (for 3 days), no groceries, and a phone interview for with a fintech, when I had only ever worked for large manufacturers. From the very first conversation, despite being “an outsider” in the space, despite the crazy times we were living in, despite the fear of disappointing my current employer and my wonderful team—something about Baker Hill felt like the right fit. The people felt like the right fit. It’s hard to describe the Baker Hill culture. It can be intense—but also rewarding. We run lean—but we are incredibly efficient and agile. Sometimes my role can feel overwhelming and like I am the only person in my boat—but if I reach out, there is always someone offering to help and a better idea. No company or culture is perfect, but Baker Hill’s DNA is pretty special. Karen Baker and Mark Hill built a solid foundation that has stood the test of time. They invested in good people—good people who wanted to help clients succeed and wanted their peers to succeed too. There are some wickedly talented and smart individuals at Baker Hill. Sometimes I am intimidated. How will I ever fully understand our industry? Our products? Where we need to go? How to get there? How to be an effective leader? How to make change? But if Baker Hill has taught me one thing—it’s this. Change is constant. Improvement is continuous. It’s about evolution—and progress. As my amazing mentor and leader Todd Juracek says WAY TOO OFTEN… “Every day counts.” So, let’s go “up and to the right.” (Per Amber) Congrats Baker Hill! “We the people” did this…. And, we’re just getting started. #2024TopWorkplaces #companyculture #bakerhill #40yearsofevolvinglending

Greater heights

Reflecting on the Last 11 Years: Part 2 Hi again, In Part 1, I filled you in on my professional life. Now, let's get personal. Early Career Insights: After graduating from college in 2013, I found myself navigating the hustle and bustle of New York City, figuring out what I wanted to do with my life and career. Working at S&P Global was a great starting point, with a ton of exposure to all sorts of people, an introduction to the world of finance, and the importance of having a strong work ethic (like my parents always said). Outside of the office, you'd find me taking Metro North out to the suburbs to golf or meeting up with friends at our local watering hole on Stone Street. A Break from Corporate America: Disenchanted with the corporate grind, I took a bold step—quitting my job to explore the country. My travels, especially in the Pacific Northwest, involved hiking, camping, and living out of my truck with my two dogs, Ruger and Savage, which felt like a slice of paradise. Life in Montana: Moving to Montana marked a significant period of growth and new challenges for me. From enduring 24-hour shifts plowing snow in -30 degrees to selling insurance by day and exploring the great outdoors with Ruger and Savage by my side, Montana was an adventure of a lifetime. Back to Connecticut: My brother's cancer battle brought me back home to Connecticut. But the silver lining? I reconnected with my now-wife (and former cubemate at S&P) and we find ourselves in Greenwich, Connecticut, living in the very house I grew up in. You could say it's come full circle... I wouldn't change any of it if I could. This reflection is not just about where I've been but also about where I'm heading. It's about the lessons learned, the resilience built, and the paths carved out of both personal and professional experiences. Let's connect and share our stories of growth, challenge, and adventure. That's it—from NYC to Montana, from corporate life to the great outdoors and back again. It’s been quite the ride, and I wouldn't change a thing. Let's keep the conversation going. What's your story? #CareerJourney #Innovation #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #TextChat #GeorgeChristieFoundation #Adventure #Reflection

Impressive insights, Kelly Mason FIEP Reflecting on the last decade, I've witnessed firsthand the profound impact of effective training and coaching on staff alignment with business values, real-time resilience building, enhanced client connection, and the cultivation of trust and collaboration through the development of soft skills. A 40% staff turnover is a significant concern, underscoring the importance of investing in your team as a strategic investment in the success of your organisation. #InvestInYourTeam #StaffDevelopment #coaching

Ten years ago today Charlotte Street Partners opened its doors 🎂 🎉 Seven months before, I had to decide whether to go to law school as planned or join the start-up journey with the brilliant Malcolm Robertson and Andrew Wilson FRSE. In the words of Robert Frost, I took the one less travelled, and it has made all the difference. My key lessons from the amazing rollercoaster: 1. Purpose, vision and values weren’t yet codified in our fledgling outfit but they could be articulated and that helped drive our work and plans when everything was a blank canvas 2. Always work for people you respect and trust - having no computer or office furniture was a strange foundation for a first job but the founding people were exceptional and that’s what mattered Sharon Higgins Chris Deerin 💪🏻 3. Have the courage to be different - from your approach to hiring people, creating your culture, and how you work for clients - especially when there are no pre-existing habits and no one is well versed in the “traditional” way to do things 4. Austin Lally taught me that adaptability and leadership are key differentiators in your working life and they became essential to CSP forging a new player in the market and testing what worked and what didn’t 5. Experience counts - Sir Angus Grossart as our chairman brought many years of know-how and cache but having him keep us in his attic with no heating for the first year was a primal but important lesson in how to run a business💰 6. Trust in talent - with no middle management I was fortunate to “be in the room” from the get go - as we grew it helped to define the culture and expectations at all levels: enabling people to be brave and stretch themselves 🚀 7. Finally, having an X-Box in your office may seem like a cool and creative start-up thing to do ~ it is NOT conducive to productivity 🫠 Bravo to the CSP team on reaching its first decade, thank you for all of the great memories - and keep going!! ♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🔥

Anyone who knows me, worked with me, networked with me knows that leading with authenticity and vulnerability is fundamental to my approach. However, making tough business decisions, especially those that affect our team's hard work and careers, has been incredibly challenging. Over the past 18 months, I’ve had countless conversations with other leaders, and it's clear that these times have brought unprecedented difficulties. Ive had to implement difficult changes to safeguard the business, which has resulted in many sleepless nights filled with guilt, stress, and heartache. It's never easy to make decisions that impact the lives of our team, but these choices are necessary for the survival and growth of Castle Employment Group, a business established for over 58 years. We have always been more than just a business; it's a family. Making decisions that affect our team feels like navigating through a divorce—whether amicable or forced, the emotions are raw, and I appreciate how much it impacts people’s lives and families. As a business owner, I bear the weight of these decisions to ensure that the company we’ve all worked so hard to build continues to thrive. Despite the challenges, Castle Employment Group remains committed to our incredible team of over 30 professionals. Supporting their growth, careers and remaining the tight “family feel” culture we are proud of. Servicing our loyal candidates and clients. I’ve had amazing support from my professional network, Keith Stewart and my friends in Vistage UK UK. (TRN) (TRN) The Recruitment Network vast network allowing me access to ALISTAIR RYNISH , Gordon Stoddart , James Osborne Charlie Sell and so many more leaders inside and out of Castle that supported me and held me up. I feel so fortunate for the business network I have, #balancedthinking #coaching and #support. #movingforwards #teamwork #leanin #resilience #businessnetwork.

Today, we are highlighting Amaya Barrios, Assistant Manager at Magnolia Terrace for #HispanicHeritageMonth ✨What does your heritage mean to you, and how has it shaped your personal or professional life? Hispanic heritage is everything for me. It is a reflection of what my family stands for and what I believe in. It's community, pride, unity, and strength and ultimately, it’s what has led me to be the best version of myself both at home and at work. ✨What aspects of your culture are you most proud of, and how do you incorporate them into your daily life or work? Aspects of my culture that I am most proud of include family traditions, cultural traditions, resilience, creativity, and hard work. By integrating these aspects into daily personal and professional routines, I feel as though I can enrich my life and contribute positively to my environment, embracing my heritage while making meaningful impacts. ✨What advice would you give to the next generation of Hispanic professionals? Embrace your identity, pursue continuous learning, and build a strong network of mentors, peers, and industry leaders. Always seek out and create opportunities to learn and grow - do not wait for opportunities to come to you, be prepared to advocate for your own achievements and ambitions while also supporting and uplifting others around you, and strive for a healthy balance between work and personal life. By staying true to your values, continuously developing your skills, and actively engaging with your community, you can make a meaningful impact in your professional life and beyond.

One of the best parts about acquiring a new business is learning about the culture that has made that business so successful that they have become someone we want to buy. And in our world that is really all about their people 🤩 John Rowan and Partners is a great example of this, a property and construction consultancy that Bellrock Group acquired in 2022. There is a really strong people-centric culture in this business that Gurpal Virdee, Mash Halai FRICS and the other Partners nurtured and were hugely protective of when contemplating being acquired by a much bigger business. They needn't have worried, there has been so much we have learned from JRP that has influenced and informed the transformational, progressive People Strategy we have put in place for the whole Group 🧭 All of this was evident at the JRP annual staff conference that I had the pleasure of attending in London yesterday. There was a real passion and commitment for their business, their work, their clients and to exploiting the opportunities that come from being part of a wider Group, with its wider client base, broader product set and endless cross-sell opportunities 🏅 I particularly admire the opportunity they give colleagues, typically early in their careers, to present their team's business plans. This engages them in the mission, raises their profile and gives them invaluable experience of presenting to a large audience. Well done Steven McCubbin, Conor McCabe, Rajvina Bassi MRICS, Caedmon Bradley, Bill Callaghan, Dan Bryan, Stanley Foster-Bohm, Rob Worster MRICS, Eden Carberry-Hughes, Rachael Comer and Keisha Ferguson. You smashed it 🔥 And well done and thank you Georgia Lloyd-Davies for pulling the day together 🙏 #bellrock #growth #crosssell #propertyconsultancy #construction