Commercial Investment Real Estate Winter 2020 | Page 21

relevant information, education, and tools to successfully navigate whatever lies ahead. The institute continues to get in front of the issues and provide training and thought lead- ership to assist in overcoming the challenges, preparing for the future, and providing re- al-world solutions that you can readily put to use in your own day-to-day business models. That’s what the Ward Center for Real Estate Studies is all about, and I hope that everyone takes a moment in the New Year to really pore through the more than 60 courses available through the Ward Center. CIRE: WHAT AREA WOULD YOU LIKE THE INSTITUTE TO FOCUS ON THIS YEAR, AND HOW WILL THIS BENEFIT MEMBERS? BLANTON: I have always been and will continue to be a huge advocate of providing the local CCIM chapters with the tools and resources to better serve their members. The chapters are the institute’s boots on the ground, serving as the face of the institute and the primary source for service and net- working. Over the past two years, the CCIM Institute Board of Directors has approved a tremendous amount of business plans that are in-progress focused on further enhanc- ing the support we provide the chapters — a direct result of the 2019-2020 strategic The institute continues to get in front of the issues and provide training and thought leadership to assist in overcoming the challenges, preparing for the future, and providing real-world solutions that you can readily put to use in your own day-to-day business models. plans. In 2020, we will implement many of these plans, so you’ll really be able to see the fruits growing from all the seeds we’ve planted. It’s an exciting time to be president of CCIM Institute, and I’m honored to serve in 2020. CIRE: YOU FOUNDED THE BLANTON FOUNDATION IN 2015, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES FINAN- CIAL AND VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL AND REGIONAL CHARITIES. WHY IS GIVING BACK IMPORTANT TO YOU? BLANTON: I personally don’t like the words “giving back.” We use the phrase “assisting oth- ers” at the foundation because that is the sole mission of The Blanton Foundation. When I started the foundation, it was something that I wanted to create to serve as a great legacy to leave my son. There are usually two types of people that give to charities: those who give financially and those who volunteer their time. I have done both in the past, and I saw a real need to provide charities with additional as- sistance above and beyond the donations they raise. I am very proud of where we are; we have a great management team in place to carry on the good work and grow the foundation. And none of us takes a salary; we all donate our individual talents to the foundation so that 90 percent of what we raise goes to the benefac- tors. That’s what makes a big difference. Larry Guthrie Director of communications for CCIM Institute Contact him at [email protected]. New CE Courses for Designees Only CRE Analytical Methods and Models Refresh Your Skills and Earn CE Credit CRE Market Analysis Decision Models Need to revisit your CCIM designation courses? CCIMs can now register for four exclusive online self-paced courses that cover core concepts. These condensed versions of the designation courses only take four to six hours to complete and can be purchased with or without continuing education (CE) credit. To learn more, visit www.ccim.com/designee-only or call [phone], opt. 2. Comprehensive review of CCIM designation core concepts including financial, market, investment, and user decision analyses. Comprehensive review of how to perform market research, assess market demand, and forecast future demand and opportunities for commercial real estate investment. CRE User Decision Decision Models Comprehensive review of the space acquisition process, comparative lease analysis, valuing leasehold interests, and lease exit strategies. CRE Investment Decision Models Comprehensive review of applying key investor decision-making analyses to optimize ROI, finance CRE investments, and effectively forecast investment performance. *CE credit not available in all states. CIREMAGAZINE.COM COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 19