CCIM CANDIDATE SPOTLIGHT
By Nicholas Leider
MICHAEL GLASPIE
Michael Glaspie
When it comes to multitasking , Michael Glaspie is a model of proficiency . In 2014 , during an eight-year stint in the U . S . Army Special Forces , the Texas native purchased his first investment property — a single-family home that sparked a passion for real estate . He continued renovating and selling homes , eventually earning his broker ’ s license in 2018 .
But his true passion was in commercial real estate . While transitioning out of the military , Glaspie dove headfirst into CRE education , including classes at CCIM Institute while also pursuing his MBA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , which he earned in December 2020 . Now , after completing his coursework for the CCIM designation , Glaspie submitted his application for final review with the hopes of earning the pin this year .
In addition to all this , he started a consulting firm and hosts the Military Cashflow podcast , which aims to help active and retired members of the armed forces improve their financial well-being . We caught up with Glaspie to discuss his road to the CCIM designation , how his experiences have shaped him , and where he finds motivation .
CIRE : WHAT EXPERIENCE , PROFESSION- ALLY AND PERSONALLY , LED YOU TO SEEK CCIM DESIGNATION ? WHAT WAS THE AHA ! MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW IT WAS WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT ?
MICHAEL GLASPIE : Starting off in real estate with no formal experience presents its own challenges . Starting in commercial real estate with no experience and no mentors presents even greater challenges . I sought as much education as I could . While pursuing education through formal training and informal mentorships , a common recurring suggestion kept popping up : Consider CCIM Institute .
Some of the top players in my market didn ’ t have the CCIM designation . However , they had been selling CRE for over 30 years . Although I was still performing , I knew that the CCIM designation would provide credibility . You not only have to perform actively in CRE , but you also have to pursue the education . I made a commitment to focus on CRE , so I knew this would be the natural next step in my professional progression .
CIRE : HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO PUT YOUR EDUCATION TO USE ? HOW HAS THE DESIGNATION CURRICULUM IMPACT- ED YOUR PROFESSIONAL ABILITIES ?
GLASPIE : I have been able to use the information not only in my representation of clients , but in my personal investments as well . As I progressed in both transactional and investment real estate , I was able to meet and partner with other individuals in the same space .
I co-founded a private equity firm focused on opportunistic and value-add hospitality assets . I was able to take the financial analysis and market research material and apply it to an asset class that was said to be struggling during the height of the pandemic . Using what I was taught , we were able to see opportunities that others didn ’ t .
CIRE : WHAT SUPPORT STRUCTURES HAVE HELPED YOU DURING THIS PRO- CESS ? HAVE YOU RECEIVED HELP FROM COLLEAGUES , MENTOR FIGURES , ETC .?
GLASPIE : I had a colleague attend the courses with me . This allowed us to study together if needed and have a sounding board for questions outside of the class . In the class itself , the instructors were always helpful and diligent in responding to questions during class and after .
CIRE : HOW DOES YOUR MILITARY SERVICE FIT WITH YOUR CURRENT CAREER ? WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU BROUGHT TO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FROM YOUR TIME IN THE U . S . ARMY ?
GLASPIE : I feel that most military members , both past and present , are equipped with resourcefulness . We didn ’ t always have what we ’ d like to have to complete our missions , but we were always able to figure out how to complete them . I am a firm believer that it ’ s not about your resources — it ’ s about your resourcefulness . This applies to solving client issues , as well as personal investments and
40 COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE SPRING 2022