1. Welcome Brian, please tell us about yourself.

I am a lifetime NYer, born in Brooklyn, raised on Long Island where I still live. Married for 37 years to Susan and have a 35 year old daughter Jourdan and a 29 year old son Ross. 

2. Where do you work and what is your role? When/how did you get started there? 

 I started with Parker Plants this past May. Previous to that I spent 18 years as VP of Sales for a large Holiday décor company in NY.  Parker reached out to me when I left , as they were looking for someone with the knowledge of commercial real estate and hospitality in NYC. 

3. List some factors that contribute to your success.

I believe that being authentic is what makes me successful. What you see is what you get. A previous client of mine once said I have “patient persistence”, I like to think I operate that way. Try not to be annoying, but not letting anything go unresolved, positive or negative. Embrace the positive, learn from the negative. Over the last 20 years I have made some great friends through business and believe relationships are the best approach to a successful career.

4. Give advice to those starting their careers in Business Development

You need to be yourself, you need to be socially adept, you need to be persistent, you need to be honest ….but don’t be obnoxious.

5. What is your passion?

My passions are of course family. Outside of that I am a huge fan of sports, especially baseball and the Mets. Thanks god my kids both follow me there. Additionally, I love all kinds of music skewing older rock (I am a child of the 60’s) but open to most anything. I don’t play an instrument (unless you count harmonica)

6. Please tell us about the range and type of projects you are involved in.

Much of what I am working on currently is fulfilling new client needs for horticultural and plant services. Parallel to that, networking with the A&D community to become involved with larger scale new construction projects.