By Nicholas Leider
DEVIN MECHAM
Devin Mecham
Nobody really knows what to expect on the first day at a new office — that ’ s part of the reason for the excitement , the nerves , and the anticipation experienced by many . But for Devin Mecham , the second day proved to be the real eye-opener . It was then , in March 2020 , when he was just starting out in his current role with NAI Black in Spokane , Wash ., that the state completely shut down in response to the initial outbreak of COVID-19 .
But Mecham , who specializes in office leasing and investment brokerage , weathered the storm . A year-plus into the pandemic , he ’ s enjoying a career in commercial real estate with big plans to submit his portfolio and take the CCIM Comprehensive Exam in October . We caught up with Mecham , who is a husband and father of five , to discuss a career that has included property management and vocational ministry before ultimately bringing him to CRE .
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 ?
DEVIN MECHAM : If I ’ m going to do something , I don ’ t like to just play to play — I ’ m going to play to win . I started with an online search for CRE education and initially discovered the designation that way . I then found a local CCIM who happened to be the chapter president that year , and I grilled him over lunch about the benefits . After attending CI 101 in Seattle , I was hooked . I knew this was the education and these were the tools I needed to be able to set myself apart from the crowd .
CIRE : HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO PUT YOUR EDUCATION TO USE ? HOW HAS THE DESIGNATION CURRICULUM IMPACT- ED YOUR PROFESSIONAL ABILITIES ?
MECHAM : I use the tools that I ’ ve learned almost daily — primarily those from CI 103 and 104 . User decision analysis has been huge . I will say , I think the main impact this education has provided has been the increased confidence I have as I ’ m sitting across the table from potential clients . I know the math will pencil , and I can prove it .
CIRE : WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHAL- LENGING ASPECT OF YOUR JOURNEY TOWARD CCIM DESIGNATION ?
MECHAM : My biggest challenge was finishing my portfolio requirements . I started at NAI Black literally two days before our state was shut down at the start of the pandemic . It took me quite a bit longer than I had hoped it would .
40 COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021