『Gerald Divaris - The Generalist CEO: Vertical Integration and the Art of Retail Development (#142)』のカバーアート

Gerald Divaris - The Generalist CEO: Vertical Integration and the Art of Retail Development (#142)

Gerald Divaris - The Generalist CEO: Vertical Integration and the Art of Retail Development (#142)

無料で聴く

ポッドキャストの詳細を見る

このコンテンツについて

 Gerald Divaris is Chairman and CEO of the Divaris Group, a vertically integrated commercial real estate enterprise. Co-founded Divaris Real Estate (DRE) in Cape Town, South Africa (1974), relocating to Virginia Beach (1981). DRE manages 40M+ sq ft across 15-16 U.S. cities. Visionary behind Town Center of Virginia Beach. Inducted into Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame (2024). Company Strategy and Structure Primary Focus [3:25] CEO responsibilities center on exceeding client expectations, ensuring cohesive teamwork embodying company ethos, and platform growth. National Operations [4:20] Maintains standards across 15-16 cities through personal CEO visits (monthly/bi-monthly) and "Principal in Charge" in each office embodying firm philosophy. Employee Model [6:24] Unlike industry peers, DRE agents are salaried/on draw vs. independent contractors, ensuring clients receive controllable service rather than commission-driven behavior [7:50]. Vertical Integration [8:55] Retail deeply engrained from family retailer background. Development's longer lead time/higher risk suits stable employee model. Retail is "glue" in mixed-use developments, providing street-level vibrancy attracting office/residential tenants. Realty Resources Network [12:09] Provides national platform of best-in-class local brokerages for seamless nationwide service. Smaller engaged networks led by "deal junkies" [17:23] outperform large publicly-traded firms with heavy infrastructure costs. Management [19:32] "Overbalanced on corporate infrastructure" using salaried professional managers, freeing deal-makers to "lead by example." Origins and Generalist Philosophy African Origins [22:14] Born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), moved business to Virginia Beach 1981. Smaller South African economy created "generalist" approach [24:22] across product types—essential for mixed-use development. Retail Family Background [27:21] Greek merchant family from Cephalonia [28:44] owned department stores, liquor stores, groceries. Started working age 10 [30:01], learning customer assessment and merchandising strategy. Art of Retail [32:45] Store deployment is art, not science. Placemaking engages all human senses—family's florist shops used tuberose scent near door [37:28] to pull customers inside. Experiential retail critical [42:23]—Barnes & Noble survived Amazon through "storytelling" and reading experiences. III. Town Center of Virginia Beach Opportunity [45:24] Virginia Beach: largest Virginia city by population but lacked CBD. Strong economy, tourism, minimal national broker competition. "Rough diamond" with suburban sprawl needing heart and soul. Military Economy [50:40] Hampton Roads houses NATO headquarters, major cyber command, world's largest naval base. Demographics underreported 28% [59:41] due to "hidden economy"—young military retirees with full pensions, free medical, VA loans not counted in salary reports. Mixed-Use Success [55:31] Town Center became city's "heart and soul," attracting institutions. Westin (40 stories) is Virginia's tallest structure—iconic landmark. TIF Financing [1:21:10] Public entities own parking garages, Performing Arts Center, roads. Funded through TIF (Tax Increment Financing) above 1999 baseline. Changed city charter (1980s) to permit financing. Free parking key to walkability/density success. Post-COVID Growth 50th Anniversary & Expansion [1:04:03] DRE celebrated 50 years (2024). Stayed open throughout COVID [1:04:31], viewing it as opportunity. Acquired McGarey Group (entertainment/sports development expertise) [1:08:15]. D.C. Market [1:09:05] Greater Washington expansion (May 2024) services Northern Virginia requi... Chapters (00:00:00) - Idols of D.C. Area Real Estate(00:00:51) - Meet Joe Gerald Devares of The Navarros Group(00:03:02) - Top Executive Interview(00:05:12) - Do You Model Your Firm After a Competitor?(00:06:07) - Independent Contractors and their culture(00:08:37) - The Importance of Retail Leasing at Devarus Real Estate(00:11:33) - Devares Real Estate Networks affiliation(00:15:45) - Service of the National Client(00:18:20) - How Do You Manage People?(00:21:48) - Real Estate Lessons Learned from My African Origins(00:24:47) - Real Estate(00:27:13) - Were your parents immigrants to South Africa or your grandparents(00:32:10) - Retailers: Professionalism is Hard(00:32:29) - Walmart Store Deployment: An Art(00:40:04) - On The Evolution of Retail Experiences(00:45:06) - Virginia Beach Realty: The City Center(00:49:07) - Exploring the economy of Tidewater, Virginia(00:52:43) - The Alex Devares Memorial Scholarship(00:55:13) - Exploring Virginia Beach's Town Center(00:57:46) - Virginia Beach Town Center: Hidden Economy(01:01:27) - Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame(01:05:19) - McGarry & Margarita Real Estate Under the Realty(01:09:15) - The Washington Metro: Devarus Group's National Growth(01:10:37) - Vertical Integration at Navarro's Group(01:11:43) - Rejuvenating...
まだレビューはありません