At Berkadia, our success is built upon the talent and hard work of a broad, diversely skilled team. From graphic designers to loan closing specialists to product designers, each of our people brings a unique background, perspective and expertise. Their work allows Berkadia to maintain a consistent leadership role in the commercial real estate industry.
Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Krystal Pocs, Senior Marketing Project Manager supporting the North/Central Florida team, to learn more about what brought her to Berkadia and her vision for the future.
What part of your role at Berkadia are you most passionate about?
I have been very fortunate to support the same team for most of my time at Berkadia. I have been able to watch four interns on my team become brokers, through hard work and dedication.
As their Project Manager, I am heavily invested in the team’s success. Each month when the broker rankings come out, the Project Managers all look to see where their team members are ranked. It’s so rewarding to see that collectively, our efforts have been fruitful—the North/Central Florida team consistently holds a top ranking.
What drew you to a career at Berkadia? Did you choose CRE or did CRE choose you?
The road has been an interesting and unexpected journey since I moved to Phoenix in 2002. I had no prior experience with commercial real estate, and after working for a lengthy period for Westcor/Macerich as a Guest Services Manager, I became interested in property management.
I was given the opportunity to work for Optima, a luxury condo builder that had just completed their first Phoenix project. Through the process, I learned a great deal about maintaining and budgeting for a multifamily property. I also learned that I did not like being woken up at 2:00 am to respond to calls about those maintenance issues.
From there, I started a temporary assignment working at Hendricks & Partners, which later became Berkadia. I spent a few months answering the phone, collecting the mail, and manning the front door. Shortly after, I was made a full-time employee. Now, over a decade later, I am still here.
What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself coming into the CRE industry? What is the best advice you have received?
My best advice to anyone interested in the CRE industry is to first and foremost, get their Real Estate License. Getting your real estate license opens up an abundant number of doors and opportunities. Likewise, find yourself a good mentor. Look for someone who has worked in the career fields that interest you and is willing to share their experience and knowledge.
The best advice I’ve received: always be willing to do the work you expect of others. If you demonstrate that you are willing to step up and help out, even if it means taking your turn at a dreaded task, others will respect you for it.