While leaving their favorite Greek restaurant in Minneapolis, Christopher Pendroy and his wife, Allison, saw a billboard that said, “Trade bumper to bumper for face to face. Move to Iowa.” At this point, the couple realized they wanted to move back to their home state to be closer to family that lived near Des Moines and to raise their 2-year-old daughter, Noelle. But moving to Iowa also meant that Pendroy would have to leave a commercial real estate business he had spent seven years developing. By contacting a former colleague from his first job out of college at Iowa Realty Commercial, he landed a senior associate position with the company. Since starting Aug. 1, Pendroy already is working on some big projects, including selling the Rubbermaid manufacturing plant in Centerville, but admits he has a way to go to rebuild his career.

How did you get into commercial real estate?

Growing up, I noticed that a number of successful business people owned their own real estate. I knew it was something that interested me, so once I dug into my finance degree at the University of Iowa, I took anything remotely related to real estate. Brokerage especially interested me, because you have the opportunity to be your own boss. Commission sales meant that your income is based on how hard you want to work. So the summer after my sophomore year, I went to Des Moines and started knocking on doors at various brokerage companies. I knocked on the door of what was then Coldwell Banker Commercial, and Kurt Mumm, a salesmen at time, came to the front desk and introduced himself. He recognized my willingness to knock on doors, a key part of this business, and created an internship position for me that summer.

How did you end up in Minnesota?

The same year I joined Iowa Realty Commercial, I got engaged to my high school sweetheart. She graduated form University of Iowa, a finance major as well, and took job in Minnesota. I followed her. I got offers from four different brokerage firms and took a job with Colliers International.

What’s it like to be back?

It’s been exciting. I’ve always considered Iowa home. Des Moines has really changed the past seven years, so getting up to speed takes time. It’s also a relationship business. It sometimes takes years to get people to know you and trust you with a big investment. You have to be patient and I think I have that in me.

What’s a project you’re most proud of?

In the Twin Cities, I was somewhat of an “elephant hunter.” I chased big deals and was successful in selling some prominent industrial properties. Shortly after moving there, I drove by a big-name manufacturing company and said to myself, “I’m going to sell that building some day.” I was just persistent and kept calling. One day, their real estate person said the company might be interested in selling the building and leasing it back. He said, “if you have any buyers, feel free to introduce them.” This is 135-acre site just north of central business district. A lot of developers had tried chasing it through the years, so I thought I missed my opportunity. But I called a company out of St. Louis that bought similar properties. The company stepped up to the plate and bought the building. We, my team and I, sold the largest single-tenant industrial building in Minnesota, 2 million square feet.

Why do you like most about commercial real estate?

I like the industrial part of the business because every day is different. You get to learn so much about so many types of business.

What do you miss most about Minnesota?

Being 10 minutes away from a lake to go fishing. I also miss my friends.

Do you feel like you have a stable business yet?

It’s still an upward ramp. I’ve been training a junior broker the past of couple years, and the questions he would ask are now things I’m doing again. I got a lot of good projects I’m working on, but it’s a commission business.

What is one word to describe yourself?

Real.

What do you do for fun outside work?

Growing up, I did a lot of hunting and fishing. It’s a family time for my dad, uncles, cousins and now nephews, too. I did some of that in Minnesota but it’s not the same because I didn’t have my family. I’m anxious to get out there again.

– Sarah Bzdega