Q&A with Myron Rivers of USGBC

You were recently appointed was Executive Director for the Cincinnati Regional Chapter of the USGBC. What does your job entail?
In my role as executive director I am primarily responsible for setting and carrying out the strategic plans and policies in conjunction with the board of directors and the membership. In addition to overseeing the daily operation of the organization there are 4 key areas that my job will focus on:

1) Creating a clear vision that is shared with others in order to provide unity within the organization
2) Engaging the community and developing relationships
3) Managing the financial needs of the organization and leading fundraising efforts
4) Supporting the board of directors

What is your background and how will you use that experience in this new role?
I have spent the majority of my professional career working first the African American Chamber as the Director of Sales & Marketing where I was responsible for crafting and protecting the organizations brand as well as responsible for membership development. I then worked for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber as the director of economic inclusion where I helped corporations develop or increase the amount of money spent with minority and women owned businesses. My hope is to bring my knowledge of nonprofit management acumen and community experience to help grow the organization.

What exactly does the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) do? What is it’s purpose?
The USGBC is a non-governmental nonprofit who educates and advocates for the addition to the number of sustainable and LEED certified buildings in our region. Our purpose is to transform the way buildings and communities are planned, designed, built, and operated enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous built and natural environment that improves the quality of life.

What do you hope the USGBC Cincinnati Chapter will achieve in the city in the next 6 months, year and 5 years?
In the short term I hope to increase our outreach and help to educate the average Cincinnatian on the benefits of healthier more sustainable buildings. Also I would like to increase the amount of sustainable buildings and homes available to low-to-moderate income individuals and families. In the long term, I hope this chapter can help to make LEED certification a thing of the past; that sustainable design is fully integrated into the DNA and fabric of the built environment in Cincinnati.

How do view the green movement as progressing and changing?
The Green movement is one of if not the most progressive movements of our time. Not long ago the environmental lobby was thought to be for tree-hugging purist and die-hards; that is no longer the case. My 5-year-old is learning how to recycle as part of the regular curriculum in school. The average consumer has the ability to purchase a wide variety of green cleaning products, that use less packaging in a mass produced market. These changes have occurred within the past 5 years. Not to mention the fact that in almost every construction project in any major city there is discussion of LEED, and almost every fortune 500 company has a sustainability report or policy in place. These are all monumental shifts in the way that we approach the endurance of our natural resources in an attempt to save the planet.

How do you view the tri-state’s progress compared to other chapters in the nation?
We are not in a tier 1 market but this chapter has always been ahead of the curve as it relates to progress. Let me to answer this questions with some little known facts:

• Cincinnati was the 8th USGBC Chapter (created almost 10 years ago
  
• Ohio is home to more LEED certified schools than any other state
  
• Cincinnati (per capita) has more LEED certified buildings and LEED accredited professionals than Chicago and New York City
  
• emersionDesign (located within the Hamilton business development center) is home the first LEED Platinum office in the world
  
• Cincinnati was the first (and perhaps the only) city in the country to offer a 15 year tax abatement for the building a LEED certified home

Coupled with a very progressive corporate community Cincinnati is truly on the cutting edge of sustainable and green buildings.

What have you heard about Neyer Properties with regards to being green?
I know that Neyer Properties has a real commitment towards sustainability and being green, in addition to being a member and sponsor of the USGBC. I look forward to working with Neyer properties in creating a more sustainable Cincinnati.

For more information on the USGBC visit: www.usgbc.org

Dan Neyer & Neyer Employees Blogging (Part 3 of 3)

For the final part of our three part series, we decided to see what our fellow employees' favorite projects were. There were several similarities between employees but each had a different reason why it is their favorite.

What has your favorite project been thus far? Why?

The Red Cross building because I’ve been able to see it go up every day since it is right outside of our office at Keystone Parke.

-Eden McDermott

Keystone Parke. Being part of a team that built the first “green campus” in the area was very rewarding. I was also very involved in many of the office selections for the Neyer Properties tenant finish.

-Tracy Russell

The Thanksgiving Food from the Heart Drive [with St. Vincent De Paul]. Because of its success last year, Neyer put two food barrels out this year, one at Red Bank Crossing and one Keystone Parke I. Thanks to our tenants and Neyer employees we filled both barrels. It was touching to see everyone working together to help out people in need. I have been told by several professionals that Dan has a good head on his shoulders and a big heart as well.

-Sally Hauser

I love the glass façade of the Beechmont Racquet Club. The owner wanted not only a “racquet” club but there are additional office spaces for tenants. The Design Center is additionally a unique building with colors of red, yellow and blue incorporated in the outside design. It’s very colorful exterior is easy to see off of I-71. Another is the redevelopment of the Working In Neighborhood office in South Cumminsville. An older Catholic Church converted to office space without destroying the integrity and character of the interior; beautiful painted glass windows, the thick massive woodwork, and the overhead Rosetta window.

-Nancy McCune

The purchase of Ross and Section [Central Pointe on the Lateral]. It is our first Clean Ohio project and therefore has been a great learning experience for me. Another part of this project I enjoy is the future planning of the additional acreage to the south. It is exciting to see all of the moving parts come together.

-Jared Wendling

Keystone Parke because although it is a big, complicated and often difficult project to move forward it has the biggest potential impact on the community of all projects I have worked on.

-Jeff Chamot

I have enjoyed the development of the American Red Cross Headquarters and Disaster Operations center the most, since it is such a unique facility and a unique challenging site. It has served as many stakeholders as any project that we have completed (all of which had differing interests and needs), it is on target for LEED Gold, and it is for an incredible organization.

-Charlie Pond

Dan Neyer & Neyer Employees Blogging (Part 1 of 3)

This month we decided to turn the table back onto those whom we know the best, our fellow employees at Neyer Properties. We asked each employee the same set of questions and ended up with a wide range of responses. This is the first part of a three part series. It is interesting to see everyone’s different perspectives.

What are you looking forward to in the coming year?

I see the coming year as having great opportunities for investment in commercial real estate. I also look forward to continuing our effort to help transform the real estate in our community with our continued emphasis on creating value to the overall community, using real estate as one of the vehicles to help improve the lives and efficiencies of others.

-Dan Neyer, President & CEO

What I am looking forward to in the coming year is Neyer Properties continued success in being a development company that is aggressive in acquisitions and secure financially that both lenders and peers see as a leader in our industry.

-Kathy Hennel, Controller

I’m looking forward to getting a large retail project off the ground that we have been working on for most of 2010. I’m also optimistic about a few other opportunities that involve new development at properties we currently own. Finally, seeing as much of our growth in the near future will come from acquisitions, I’m eager to see what we will come across in 2011. Acquisitions require some-out-of-the-box solutions as we reposition property – and it’s very interesting to be part of that process.

-Seth Pirie, Development Project Manager

Seeing more development and construction activity!

-Jeff Chamot, Land Development Manager

I am looking forward to seeing the results of some of the projects which have been in early phases to date, and for which we have been laying the groundwork to truly partner with end-users, with the hope of beginning construction next year – including The Greens at Kenwood, Central Pointe on the Lateral, Gateway 75, Ridge Pointe, Harrison Greene, Middletown Mall, and others.

-Charlie Pond, Director of Building Development

Q & A with Anne Pond, Vice President of Home Restart

This month we interviewed Anne Pond, vice president of Home Restart. Home Restart specializes in acquiring properties that are distressed and undervalued and restores them to their highest and best use and maximum potential. To date, Home Restart has purchased and renovated seven houses. Pond turns to Neyer Properties for their assistance in approving the purchase and helps manage Home Restart’s financials.

You have experience in real estate, is majority of that with residential properties?
All of my real estate experience centers around residential property. I began investing in real estate on a personal level, and the lessons I learned on my own prepared me to take on this new venture at Home Restart.

What purpose does Neyer Properties serve to Home Restart?

The people at Neyer Properties are a valuable resource to Home Restart. Neyer takes care of the accounting and marketing for Home Restart, and Charlie Pond lends his expertise in construction to assist in the remodeling process.

How far is your area range for homes?

Although I look at properties in the entire Greater Cincinnati Area, we typically stick to certain core, desirable areas, which in the past have included Hyde Park, Oakley and Madeira in Ohio, and Fort Thomas and Edgewood in Kentucky.

How many houses are you currently working on? Optimally, how many would you like to work on at once?

Right now, all of our completed homes have sold, except for one that we recently put on the market in Edgewood, Kentucky. Ideally, I would like to have 3-4 houses in some part of the acquisition/remodeling/selling process.

How have the neighbors responded to your work in their neighborhoods?

I work very hard to make sure I introduce myself to the neighbors and make sure they understand exactly what we are doing to the house. I let them know that we will do a quality job and that we are not just a "paint and carpet" rehabber. I explain to them that what we are doing will bring value to their homes and neighborhood. Ninety-nine percent of the neighbors are thrilled with what we are doing and love watching the house transform from the eyesore of the neighborhood, to the best looking house on the block! They really enjoy touring the house before, during and after the rehabilitation process.

Has anything changed with your approach to buying and selling homes over the course of time you’ve been in business?

Not necessarily, but I discovered very quickly, that, despite the number of foreclosures on the market, it is much more difficult to find a house at the right price than I thought it would be. We follow the philosophy of creating our value, by buying at the right price.

Has it been more difficult to find buyers than you thought it would be?

We have had a lot of success in finding buyers for our houses quickly, relative to the average time that properties are sitting on the market during this real estate "slump" that we are experiencing now.

If an agent is interested in working with you, how should they go about contacting you? What do you need to know?

The agents I love to work with, are ones that are very in tune with a specific community, and aren't necessarily just pulling houses off the MLS for me. They know the ins and outs of the community, and are connected enough to know what's going to hit the market before it hits MLS. Agents interested in working with Home Restart can contact me via email, apond@HomeRestart.com, or call me at 859-816-8424.

What is your hope for the future with regards to Home Restart?

I hope that Home Restart continues to grow and that each year we can do a few more houses than the year before. We have taken our time and have been very selective with houses thus far, to make sure that we have our processes down, and we turn over a quality product. We are equipped to handle even more in 2011, and I'm excited about Home Restart's future.

Specific positive experiences thus far with Home Restart?

My two favorite things in this business are watching the transformation of the house, and meeting the people that will be moving into the house after it is completed. There is always a point during the project, where I think, "Oh my goodness….I sure hope this turns out the way I thought it would…." And it always does! I also love to meet and watch the excitement on the new owners’ faces on closing day. After I pour my heart and soul into a house, I love to watch the new owners make it into their home.

Read more about Home Restart here: http://bit.ly/f8xHRj and visit the Home Restart website here: www.homerestart.com

Q & A with Marketing Associate, Amanda Neyer

As a new employee in the marketing department, I have officially taken over the responsibility of interviewing and posting monthly to the Neyer Properties blog. I found it only appropriate for the viewing audience to know a little more about the person behind Neyer's blog so this month I took the opportunity to 'interview myself'. Enjoy!

How long have you been with Neyer now?
I started in the middle of May 2010 but I have interned with Neyer Properties during the summer months since 2005.

What’s it like working with your dad?
I rarely see him so that’s hard to say!

What do you hope to accomplish with this blog?
That people will be more on a personal level with Neyer Properties as a whole. That hopefully you will be able to see things outside of the typical press releases, and traditional media.

Do you have experience writing blogs?
I’ve never tried writing one but I have read a wide variety of different types of blogs. Like it is with everything, I’m still trying to get the hang of it!

What is your job description at Neyer Properties and what kind of experience do you have to support your new role?
I am responsible for writing press releases and keeping Neyer Properties in the news. I also handle several social media aspects for Neyer, like this blog for example. I’m responsible for keeping the Neyer Properties’ website up to date as well – and anything else that may come across my desk.

What changes and successes have you seen growing up with the company? Any significant events you’ve witnessed?
Considering my dad started the company when I was around 7, I don’t really remember him doing anything else. I know it has been said several times, but the move to Keystone from the South Medallion office in Evendale was definitely significant. Although NPI had built the previous building on South Medallion, it wasn’t situated to all of our needs. This new office is a lot more central to a variety of our properties and in a more prominent location with it’s visibility from I-71. Plus our office is LEED Gold certified!

What is the atmosphere in the office like?
It is definitely an enjoyable environment to work in. Everyone gets along really well and it is a fun, hard-working group. Everyone has their own skills, desires, and distinct personalities they bring to the table and I think that helps everyone to mesh well.