Commercial Investment Real Estate November/December 2017 | Page 24

THE SIXTH OF SIX STORIES
ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
OF CCIM INSTITUTE
Capturing Hearts
and
Minds
CCIM Institute focused on enhancing training and
technology during the early 21st century.
For 50 years, the Institute has thrived
by being an early adopter of best practices for industry
training and technology. In the 21st century, this trend
has accelerated.
“Technology separates CCIMs from the rest of the
brokers and commercial real estate professionals,” says
Barry Spizer, CCIM, who served as the 2003 CCIM
Institute president and is principal at SRSA Commer-
cial Real Estate in Metairie, La. “We have a designa-
tion, knowledge base, and competitive advantage with
technology, particularly with Site To Do Business.”
During 2003, he helped to incorporate CCIM
Technology as a for-profit organization to manage
STDB, so it could be “more entrepreneurial.”
Expanding Overseas
The backbone of the Institute is getting those seeking
the designation through its pipeline of courses, port-
folio requirements, and the final comprehensive exam.
That doesn’t happen without continuously improving
designation courses and enforcing rigorous standards
for portfolio review.
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November | December 2017
Beginning in 2000, Rhonda West, CCIM, has
reviewed and graded portfolios annually for those pur-
suing the CCIM designation. “I enjoy seeing people
through the designation process,” says West, partner
at West Commercial Real Estate in Austin, Texas.
“They work so hard and have so much joy once they
earn our designation. Also, reviewing the international
portfolios gives me a bird’s eye view into developments
happening worldwide.”
On the forefront of promoting the CCIM designa-
tion worldwide, Pius K. Leung, CCIM, chaired the
Institute’s International Committee during 1999 and
2000. As the new century dawned, members identified
10 countries with professionals who could benefit from
CCIM training, including China.
“Since I am Chinese, I had a bias for China, which
was just opening to the West,” says Leung, who served
as 2005 CCIM Institute president. “In 2000, I taught
the first CCIM two-day course at a Chinese university.
The students’ No. 1 interest was learning from good
U.S. salespeople. Their No. 2 concern was to gain more
industry knowledge.”
COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE
Martin
by Sara S. Patterson