Sherri Commander
Lincoln Property Company
Current job: Senior Property Manager
Summary of your role in the company: I oversee and support property management teams across North and South Carolina and Georgia, providing leadership, mentoring, and strategic oversight for the Atrium Healthcare Account. My role includes team development, operational excellence, and financial accountability.
How I chose my occupation: Ha- I didn’t choose my career- it chose me! 27 years ago I started working at a friend’s small real estate company and the rest is history.
Years in the business: 27 in commercial real estate
My specialization is: Property Management- Medical Office Bldgs
The most satisfying part of my job is: Every day is a new adventure, but satisfaction is knowing we are providing a safe, clean, comfortable and welcoming environment for medical patients.
Best leadership advice I have been given: The best leadership advice I’ve been given is to be a servant leader — to focus first on supporting others. When you lead by listening, encouraging, and helping people succeed, the team naturally becomes stronger.
Greatest professional achievement: I love coaching young property managers. Seeing them succeed is what I consider my greatest achievement.
Number of years with CREW: 8
Most significant CREW connection: I truly believe most connections are significant in their own way. Every CREW member brings something unique to the table, and I’ve found value in learning from each interaction. It’s the collective strength of those relationships that makes CREW so meaningful to me.
Place of birth/hometown: Charlotte, NC
Number of years in Charlotte: 54
Family: : I share a home with my husband and my mom. I have a son, daughter-in-law and 2 adorable granddaughters that live in CT and I have a stepson in the US Navy, currently stationed in Charleston. Also, I can’t forget my fur baby, Derby- a 167lb Irish Wolfhound
My ideal vacation spot: We are huge Disney fans and travel there at least once a year but I do love any beautiful ocean view!
Hobbies/Interests:I have a wonderful friend group that enjoys trying new things. We do craft classes, fitness classes, game nights and dinner clubs that are really fun. I also spend time reading, both for pleasure and self-improvement.
Other professional organizations I belong to: Institute of Real Estate Management
I wish I could: Snorkel- funny fact: I have a stupid fear of fish touching me that prevents me from trying snorkeling.
Jim Ryder
Berkel and Company
Summary of your role in the company: In my Business Development role, I’m responsible for aligning our company with the existing and trending opportunities in the Southeast USA and providing feedback from and advocacy for our clients.
How I chose my occupation: Prior to working with Berkel & Co I was in senior management with a large ready-mix supplier. Berkel was one of our best clients and a relationship was formed. I have always enjoyed connecting people with opportunities and I think that is what has led me to this profession.
Years in Business: 27
My specialization is: Helping connect people with opportunities and finding answers and solutions
A good lead for me is: An opportunity to get involved with a project as early as possible.
The most satisfying part of my job is: Seeing the process through to fruition, with hopefully some positive differentiation for our firm.
Best leadership advice I have been given: Say what you mean and do what you say.
Greatest professional achievement: Helping to build a strong culture and resilient team that produced many leaders.
Number of years with Crew: 1.5
Most significant CREW connection: Still working on that!
Place of birth/hometown: Miami, FL
Number of years in Charlotte: 1.5
Family: My wife Maritza, our daughter, her husband and 2 grandchildren.
My ideal vacation spot: Grove Park Inn
Hobbies/Interests: Landscaping, Sports, Movies/Series, Hiking, Exercise, Cooking & Wine
Other professional organizations I belong to: ULI, ABC, AGC, CCC, AIA, SCEDA, NCEDA
Barbara Briccotto
Progressive Companies
Current job: Business Development Manager at Progressive Companies, a national full service design firm – including architecture, engineering, interior design and planning.
Summary of your role in the company: I work beside our Practice Leaders for the markets we serve in business development efforts, key pursuits, strategic direction, and alignment with our business plans.
How I chose my occupation: My path has been in Interior Design – leading teams and projects at various firms. When I chose this current position, I had decided to focus on a position that played to my strengths while also being “what I wanted to do” within the business. I am fortunate to work with the amazing team at Progressive Companies at a time when we are focused on Carolinas’ growth.
Years in the business: Rather than tell that secret, I will say I bring “wisdom” to the conversation!
My specialization is: Building relationships and driving a strategic business development effort.
A good lead for me is: An entity that is relocating, adding, changing, building new space and needs a trusted architecture/engineering/interior design/planning partner.
The most satisfying part of my job is: The relationships I have formed and continue to build, the opportunity to help my networking partners succeed, and of course, the wins!
Best leadership advice I have been given: Just be you, not who you think others want you to be. Those are words I was finally able to tell myself in this journey.
Greatest professional achievement: In the most honest reflection, I would say making my parents proud of who I am. I have been fortunate to be recognized for my accomplishments as well through awards with:
Number of years with CREW: 18 years
Most significant CREW connection: With 18 years there are so many valuable connections! My closeness with Patty Drummond and Dawn Royal resulting from Dawn and I serving consecutively as CREW President is special.
Place of birth/hometown: Wilmington DE (it is the first state, not the smallest state!!)
Number of years in Charlotte: 20 in Charlotte, with 45 years in NC (there’s a hint to my number of years in business)
Family: My dear 88 year old mother who lives alone, drives, and is going strong, my brother and his extended family, and the many dear friends who are my family.
My ideal vacation spot: I have many European destinations on my list. Its about the food, the wine, the people and the culture for me.
Hobbies/Interests: Love to cook, continue to learn about wine, and starting to learn a bit about whiskey. A great day for me is spending a Saturday in the kitchen and having friends for dinner.
Other professional organizations I belong to: Association of Medical Facility Professionals (AMFP – current board member), Urban Land Institute (ULI)
I wish I could: Play a sport that requires eye-hand coordination!
Cindy Tunis
SEGRA
Current job: Technology Consultant/Relationship Builder
Summary of your role in the company: I collaborate with the C suite to understand their expectations, challenges, and vision for the future. As their technology advisor, we collectively formulate customized technology solutions that will enable Leadership to achieve their short- and long-term goals in the IT/Telecom areas. These solutions affect their profitability, productivity, and protect their company from liability issues including data breaches.
How I chose my occupation: I was fascinated with the impact technology (Artificial Intelligence, Internet of things, and technology solutions) can have in business. I thoroughly enjoy the technical aspect of what I do while employing “creative out of box” tailored solutions.
Years in the business: 13
My specialization is: I specialize in working with CRE developers, Property Managers and tenants to give them optimal internet, voice services, wireless, data center, and Disaster Recovery for their businesses in the face of cyber-attacks.
A good lead for me is: A connection that is working on project for a company that is moving its HDQ., building a new HDQ/satellite office, or is dissatisfied with the costs, or customer service experience with their current provider of Telcom or IT services.
The most satisfying part of my job is: It is partnering with a company and witnessing solutions that we implemented positively impact their business, and the opportunities it has laid for additional growth. I love working with my internal team at Segra. We are a family and the culture here is the best that I have ever experienced in my entire career.
Best leadership advice I have been given: Build your internal relationships within your company as well as external relationships with your clients. When you do that, you can be the best advocate for your clients, and get “special requests” for your client done and in record time!
Greatest professional achievement: As a Regional Vice President over 14 states, I was able to grow the existing territory, by double digits, in my first year. I was able to use relationship selling to bring on board multiple Fortune 500 companies including Wal Mart.
Number of years with CREW: 4
Most significant CREW connection: Patty Drummond. She is a Leader, super organized, and puts all of her energy into CREW. She continues to ask for everyone’s input and continues to bring in new ideas that enhance the Charlotte team.
Place of birth/hometown: Hoboken, NJ
Number of years in Charlotte: 20
Family: I am blessed to have my son, Tyler, who is 20 years of age and my adorable golden retriever, Mabel.
My ideal vacation spot: Europe. I love the long history, architecture and culture in various parts of Europe including Spain, Portugal, Italy and Germany.
Hobbies/Interests: I love to travel, hike in the mountains, and you will see me at concerts, and plays.
Other professional organizations I belong to: Chamber of Rock Hill, Chamber of Lancaster, and Charlotte Latin.
I wish I could: I wish that I could have realized earlier on in my life how significant each day can be in life. We all have the power to choose our mindset of Let Them, and Let Me” . This principle is not only freeing but incredibly empowering.
