Eric Rose, 35
Managing Principal
Cresa
What has been your career path?
I’d like to say I had some grand plan to get into commercial real estate, but the truth is, I didn’t. I had a good statistical background from working in the psych study lab at University of Nebraska-Lincoln so I could use my stats experience to find myself a job. Once I got my feet wet in that sector, I was able to leverage that experience into my first job in real estate as a consultant for developers/investors seeking to use low-income housing tax credits around the U.S. and its territories. That national work ended up being a tremendous stepping stone into my career with Cresa.
How do you give back to the community?
Outside of donating to causes I care about when possible, I volunteer for a local nonprofit at least once a quarter. We also offer service lines in our office specific to nonprofit advisory, which helps our various nonprofit clients expand their impactful missions while using our services at discounted rates.
Tell us about a mentor who has had a positive impact on your career.
Without a doubt, Bill Luttrell, director of corporate real estate at Werner Enterprises. I’d need to write a book on all the ways he’s helped me personally and professionally, especially over a period in 2017 when I had some very difficult decisions to make. Bill, thank you for being a fantastic client, an even better friend, and someone I’ll tell my kids about long into the future.
What has been the most fulfilling moment in your career?
This one’s tough since there have been so many, but I would have to say completing my first large build-to-suit transaction would be the most fulfilling moment so far.
What is something about you that not everyone knows?
I met my wife in my apartment elevator shortly after moving to Omaha. It’s funnier when you realize that the apartment complex was pretty small so the chances were higher than you’d expect that I’d meet her. Guess somebody had to get stuck in an elevator with me with no escape route to find me interesting enough to marry. HA.
What other profession would you like to try?
If I had to pack it all in today and find a job tomorrow, I’d want to be a fly fishing guide near Three Forks, Montana. Either that or a landscaper.
What was your first job?
Well, there were the random high school/college jobs of dishwasher and night-shift janitor. But the first “real” job I had was typing comments and processing surveys from the mail room at a health care survey company in Lincoln.
What advice would you give your past self?
Do “it” exactly like your mind and heart are telling you to, so long as they are both in the right place. Whatever “it” is. The only failure your future self won’t be able to live with are those times when you decided not to do ANYTHING about something. Minimize the missed opportunities.
What is your ideal vacation?
My wife and I are huge travelers and we’ve already attempted something like this so I’d have to say spending a month galivanting through Europe with the final stop being Munich for The Oktoberfest (for the food of course).
What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?If it’s art, I’ll take CM Russell. Hands down, one of the most iconic Old Western artists there ever was. Growing up, I was a HUGE Baltimore Orioles fan (I was born in Maryland). Cal Ripken Jr. played a big part in who I wanted to be as a baseball player.
What is your favorite binge-worthy show to recommend?
While my wife still tries like crazy to get me to watch shows like “The Circle” or “Love is Blind” on Netflix, I’d have to say “Suits” is my favorite show to binge.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Hacker-Pschorr Brewery in Munich. You’ll never, ever forget the first time you have their dumplings.
What is your favorite quote or saying?
“Stop waiting for what you want, and start working what you have.” – Steven Furtick
View all the 2023 honorees on the Midlands Business Journal.