Jill Meeks Appointed as President of Mobile Commercial Investment Real Estate Club
Stirling Properties’ Senior Sales and Leasing Executive, Jill Meeks, has been appointed as President of the Mobile Commercial Investment Real Estate Club. She assumed duties in early December and will serve in the position for one year.
The Mobile Commercial Investment Real Estate Club is a networking group for industry professionals to exchange ideas, insight and data on marketing information regarding commercial and investment property among its members. Club goals include promoting professionalism, co-operation and education in commercial, investment and exchange transactions.
As club president, Meeks’ responsibilities will include running the weekly meetings and arranging for speakers to attend and present educational opportunities for the members. Meetings occur every Thursday at 7:00 am at the Mobile Area Association of Realtors.
“The Mobile Commercial Investment Real Estate Club provides tremendous resources for both beginning and experienced real estate professionals, and it’s a great tool to network and meet others in the industry,” said Meeks. “As president of the club, I hope to be able to generate more interest and participation by arranging for various speakers from the community to attend our meetings that will be beneficial to members.”
Meeks has been active in the commercial real estate industry for more than 27 years. Her focus areas include office and retail leasing, commercial sales, and landlord and tenant representation. She is responsible for overseeing the property management of over 400,000 square feet of retail and office space in Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
Jill Meeks works out of Stirling Properties’ Mobile Office located at One St. Louis Centre, 1 St. Louis Street, Suite 4100 in Mobile. For club membership and information, Meeks can be reached at (251) 375-2499 or jmeeks@stirlingprop.com.
Congratulations to Paul Mastio for being selected as one of New Orleans CityBusiness’ 2016 Money Makers!
CityBusiness’ Money Makers recognizes financial professionals whose fiscal work has set the pace for their company and the region. Honorees were selected based on industry and community involvement, and achievement through their energy and innovative ideas.
“CityBusiness commends its Money Makers for the professional standards they follow as well as for the new ones they are setting,” said Natalie Chandler, Editor of CityBusiness Magazine. “This year’s honorees have not only established their institutions as solid businesses but have also worked to provide help to the community where it’s needed the most.”
Paul Mastio has been a leader and integral part of Stirling Properties’ accounting team for the last 23 years. As CFO, he is responsible for all aspects of the company’s accounting & IT team, operations, processes, and reporting functions across our Gulf South service area.
“I’ve always been great with math and numbers, so when I got into the accounting field, I found it worked well for me,” he said. “I can really make a difference with analysis and reporting, and when I do a report for an owner or investor that saves them money, it feels good.”
Marty Mayer, Paul Mastio, Jeff Marshall
Paul’s role with Stirling Properties is crucial to our success and growth. He is passionate about the company and is always looking to make improvements, save money and assist in our development. “I really enjoy digging into financials or operations and helping the company to be more cost-effective,” he said. “Every day is a huge handbag of new and different tasks in accounting to solve, and that is what motivates me.”
Currently, he is working to implement new commercial transaction software that will simplify work processes for both commercial agents and employees. Paul notes, “I understand the back-end processes of software and how make it work for us so we can be more efficient, report information earlier, and pay our agents quicker. We also pay hundreds of vendors a month, and before, our workflow was condensed into two maddening days. When we changed to doing things electronically, it evened out the workflow so one person can handle it versus two or three. It makes a big impact on cost savings and productivities.”
Paul Mastio, Laura Wallace, Judy McKee, Doug Ferguson
He has successfully implemented two major accounting software conversions at Stirling Properties (PMAS and Yardi) which streamlined duties, ultimately saving time and money. He now serves as a member of the Yardi Property Management Systems Users Group and has guided other former PMAS users to the Yardi system. He is also a Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) from AICPA.
Paul is heavily involved in coordinating the annual Stirling Olympics fundraiser. He has also led company efforts to support many nonprofit events such as Northshore Heart Walk, Breast Cancer Walk and ALS Association.
He is directly affiliated with numerous nonprofit organizations, community groups and recreational clubs including ALS Association, Boy Scouts of America, Mandeville Soccer Club and Pelican Park, among many others. He’s volunteered with Habitat for Humanity on the build of three homes, and worked to build local community playgrounds.
Many people have contributed to Paul’s success along the way. “My father was a huge influence on me. Although he was the typical 70s and 80s dad, going to work and bringing home the bacon, he taught me a strong work ethic and to always work hard and do your best,” said Paul. “And all of the partners of Stirling Properties—past and present—have been a blessing in my life, teaching me the ropes of real estate and mentoring me throughout the years.”
When Paul isn’t working—or doing work for others—he attends (and coaches!) his kids’ sporting events. He has five children ages five to 17.
And a little fun fact…he is also building a Shelby Cobra from a kit. “I’ve wanted to build a car since I was 14 years old,” he said. “I’ve been following the industry, went to school to learn to build it, and now it’s finally arriving in my garage this December…..assuming my garage is built by then!”
We congratulate Paul on his tremendous accomplishments, and this much deserved award.
#StirlingProud
The Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Uncork the Cure Honors New Orleans’ Finest
Last Thursday, the Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation presented the 9th Annual Uncork the Cure fundraising event at The Cannery in New Orleans. More than 300 guests attended and sampled champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world, as well as food from some of New Orleans’ best restaurants.
For the second year, Uncork the Cure honored New Orleans’ Finest, a selected group of outstanding young professionals that show exemplary leadership, are active in their communities and have excelled in their profession. Stirling Properties’ very own Sales & Leasing Executive, Carly Plotkin, was among the honorees. In addition to her outstanding accomplishments, Carly raised more than $4,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!
“I am honored to be selected by the Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as one of New Orleans’ Finest, and to advocate for and advance the exceptional work that the Foundation does in our community,” said Plotkin. “This devastating disease hits close to home at Stirling Properties—three of our employees are directly affected by cystic fibrosis through family and friends.”
Brandon Gerak, Carly Plotkin, Saban Sellers, Lewis Stirling
Stirling Properties is a proud supporter of the Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Uncork the Cure. Funds raised by the event have helped spur dramatic progress in the lives of those affected by cystic fibrosis (CF). The disease causes debilitating lung infections that lead to premature death. It affects about 30,000 adults and children in the United States and 70,000 people worldwide.
“We still lose precious young lives to this disease every day. It’s more important than ever that we rally our community to fight CF,” said Executive Director Ashley Mills. “We are grateful for every sponsor, volunteer and donor who supports Uncork the Cure.”
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of Foundation support. Fifty years ago, most children with CF did not live long enough to attend elementary school. Today, people with CF are living into their 30s, 40s and beyond.
Congratulations, Carly, on being selected as one of New Orleans’ Finest and your support of the Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!
#StirlingProud
Golf Fore! Good
Stirling Properties hits a hole-in-one
with its Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament
The 16th Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament was held earlier this month at University Club Plantation in Baton Rouge. More than 120 golfers participated in the scramble event and were treated to a great day of food, fun and fellowship—along with a little friendly competition—all for a good cause.
The tournament was a huge success, raising $30,000 for local nonprofit organizations! In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation received $10,000 from the proceeds. The remaining proceeds were distributed to various local charitable causes.
Representatives from Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation and LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation were on hand to receive a check for their contributions. Grady Brame, Executive Vice President of Stirling Properties (and resident golf expert!), presented a check to Todd Stevens, President and CEO of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center; and to Rick Perry, President and CEO of Tiger Athletic Foundation, during an awards celebration and cocktail reception following the tournament.
Todd Stevens, Jimmy Maurin, Grady Brame
What happens on the golf course does not stay on the golf course—here’s a recap of the days’ activities. The 1st Place Low Net was won by Steven Serio, Tyler Marquette, Lance McCardle and Colin O’Flynn. The Low Gross winning team included Paul Geyer, Rick Perry, Grady Brame and Jimmy Maurin. Additional awards were presented for 2nd, 3rd and 4th Low Gross and Low Net as well as 4 Closest to the Hole prizes, Longest Drive, and Highest Gross Score (we won’t name any names!).
A heartfelt thanks to all of our friends and supporters that participated and contributed to the Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament. This event would not be possible without you.
“The 16th Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament was a tremendous success, and we were once again able to donate to worthy nonprofit organizations that are truly making a difference in our communities. We are grateful for the generosity of our tournament sponsors and thank everyone that came out to support us. We hope to see you again next year!” said Brame.
The Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament has contributed more than $184,000 to numerous organizations over the past 16 years, with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation being the majority beneficiary of proceeds. Since 2004, $117,000 has been donated to the center in support of its cancer research and care-giving efforts.
#StirlingProud
Additional sponsors include Economical Janitorial Supplies, Grass Unlimited, Calcasieu Mechanical Contractors, Robert Refrigeration, Ryan Gootee General Contractors, Thermal Products, Angelos Landscaping, Big Easy Parking Lot Maintenance, Chrestia Staub, Cost Segregation Services, Inc. (CSSI), Gulf South Electric, ITS Fire Alarm Security LLC, Massengale Grounds Management, Netchex Payroll Services, Precision Concrete Cutting of Louisiana, Republic Services, Inc., Star Service Inc., Trimark, Unit Design, Jones Fussell, BH Management Services, CBL & Associates Properties Inc., CSRS, Inc., Malone Roofing, Premier Service Team, Real Estate Tax Group, LLC, River Parish Disposal, LLC, Robert Levis Development, Southeastern Waterproofing, First Bank & Trust, Moran Construction Consultants.
A huge shout out to Fidelity Bank, Brad Jongbloed and his team, for sponsoring lunch.
British Airways to connect London & New Orleans with nonstop flights
This morning, British Airways announced it was initiating a direct flight between New Orleans and London. This is truly a “game changer” for our region and a confirmation about the outlook for the Gulf South economy.
The effort to bring British Airways back was years long and required presenting a strong regional business support throughout Louisiana and over to Mobile.
Michael Hecht, CEO of GNO Inc. stated:
“Mobile (Ala.) was a major support for us because we talked about starting up a bus service for executives from Mobile into New Orleans, so they can fly direct into Europe instead of going into Chicago.”
UPDATE: Tee It Up with Grady Brame, Executive Vice President at Stirling Properties
UPDATE: Due to a processing error some subscribers may have difficulty accessing the video associated with this blog post. To view the video in its entirety, please click here. We apologize for any inconvenience. 
We all know that Grady is a huge golfer. But did you know that he has played among some of golf’s greats, including Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard and David Duval? He’s played in three U.S. Amateur competitions with Tiger Woods. Although they weren’t actually playing against one another, according to the scorecard, you could say that Grady beat Tiger! Grady has played amateur golf around the country and says “the more success you have, the more opportunities you will receive.” He believes much of what he has learned on the golf course is applicable to the commercial real estate (CRE) industry. So we thought it would be fun to sit down with him to get a little insight on both. Where does your passion about golf & real estate come from? “The love of golf runs in my family! My father was a scratch golfer, and his father played too. We have a long list of relatives that play. Both of my sons share a love of the game, and my oldest son has taken it to a professional level.” Grady’s attraction to golf is fueled by the thrill of competition and the determination to get better. That same logic drives his love for real estate, and got him started in the industry. “I was attracted to Stirling Properties because it was exciting and a new opportunity for me—commercial real estate was fun! I loved the idea of building new projects. The industry was challenging, but we were successful. Over the years, I’ve learned so much, and I feel that my experience really adds value to our Stirling team. Golf has given me personal achievement and fulfillment, Stirling Properties has given me professional fulfillment.” In your opinion, how are golf & commercial real estate similar? They are both competitive. I compete on the golf course to win, and I compete at the office to make a project or a real estate deal successful. In golf, you’re competing against fellow golfers, yourself and the course. In CRE, you compete against other developers contending for the best sites and negotiating with tenants on leases to get the best deal to make a project prosperous. In golf and CRE, the outcomes—or score—will tell you if you’re on the right track. At Stirling Properties, we separate ourselves from the competition by continually striving to improve. 
What golf etiquette can you apply to commercial real estate?
- Respect: Golf is an honorable game. You play by the rules, not because there is a referee or umpire enforcing them, but because it’s the right way. At Stirling Properties, we’ve always done things the right way. We treat employees, clients and tenants with respect. We’ve always been honest, held ourselves to high ethical standards, and never take shortcuts. Now, that’s paying back in dividends. A famous golfer once said, “In golf as in life, it is the follow through that makes the difference.”
- Managing Expectations: I consistently see golfers on the course expecting to beat their last score, or play better than their handicap on every hole. They set unrealistic expectations, and are usually disappointed. We always want to be the winner and put our best forward, but we need to remember not to oversell our position for investors, employees or lenders. People rely on us for projections and budgets. Predicting the future with absolute accuracy is like hitting a hole-in-one. But we have a great team in place that has been able to manage the process without overselling or setting unrealistic expectations.
- Mastering the Fundamentals: Sports psychologist, Dr. Bob Rotella noted, “A golfer has to train his swing on the practice tee, then trust it on the course.” Stirling Properties has stayed relevant and ahead of the competition for more than 40 years, because we are good at what we do. We trust our skills and instincts. We extensively evaluate every project at hand for the best possible outcomes. Sometimes, it’s about quality, not quantity.
- Control the Controllable: We will never have absolute control. In golf, there will always be the threat of wind, an ill-fated bounce or some little imperfection on the course that we have no control over. The same is true in CRE. You have to be adaptable. Do your best to manage what you can’t control, but build in contingencies for projects or deals so that if you do have a bump in the course, the deal can still work.
Any advice for young people entering the CRE industry? For anyone new to Stirling Properties—or the industry—my first suggestion is to listen and learn. You can learn a lot more from listening to others than talking on your own. You can acquire much from the people that have experience in this industry, both how to succeed and how to fail. Learn from their triumphs and mistakes! A lot of professional golfers have an entourage of coaches and experts helping them to perform.
Click here to listen to what Grady has to say about the importance of teamwork:
#StirlingProud
