Young Professional of the Month: James Langley of Schwartz Commercial Realty

The San Diego Young Professionals Committee (YPC) is committed to supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County by planning and hosting fun and upbeat fundraising and networking events throughout the year.

One unique way San Diego YPC is supporting the local community is by celebrating one deserving Young Professional of the Month in a humanitarian series featured on DiscoverSD.com.

Our Young Professional of the Month for May 2011 is James Langley of Schwartz Commercial Realty. From the career goals of his youth, to his education and career path, and advice for young businessmen and women in San Diego, get to know James Langley in this spotlight.

DSD: At 10-yrs-old, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

James Langley: Professional baseball player.  Baseball was all that really mattered in those days.

DSD: What is your education and business background? 

JL: I bounced around quite a bit because of baseball.  I attended Santa Rosa Junior College, where I got my associates degree, then transferred to Drexel University in Philadelphia before transferring one more time to finish my degree at Point Loma Nazarene University where I got my Bachelors degree in Business Administration.

DSD: When and how did you first know you wanted to be in the commercial real estate industry? 

JL: I was coaching youth baseball here in San Diego while staying in shape pursuing my career in professional baseball.  I was starting to realize that playing baseball wasn’t the only thing I could and started asking around and learning about different professions.  I met a man who worked in the industry and he thought I would be a good fit for Commercial Real Estate.  I went to work with him one day so I could see what he did and fell in love with it immediately.

DSD: What is the most important business lesson you’ve learned from working in the commercial real estate industry? 

JL: Hard work pays off!  This can be a very difficult business, and coupling that with the economic position we are in I feel lucky to be around and doing well.  Working hard has been the difference for our success, as it shines through to our clients more than anything else.

DSD: Please explain how you got involved with Schwartz Commercial Realty, and share with us what it is all about. 

JL: My Partner Ben Schwartz founded Schwartz Commercial Realty in the early 1990’s where he negotiated some of San Diego’s largest real estate transactions.  Ben became my mentor in 2007, and we recreated Schwartz Commercial Realty in 2008 after we realized there was a large market of businesses looking for a group like ourselves.  Schwartz Commercial Realty is a boutique commercial real estate firm that exclusively represents Tenants in the purchase or lease negotiation of real estate. The most important thing we can do is make sure our clients make informed and educated decisions about their real estate expenses (typically the second highest expense when operating a business).

DSD: Where do you hope to see yourself 10 years from now, professionally and personally? 

JL: Professionally I hope to be in the top 50 most successful Commercial Real Estate Brokers in Southern California.

Personally I hope to be as happy as I am today.  I have a two-week-old daughter at a new home where my wife and I love spending time in.  I feel so lucky and can’t imagine things being better than they are now. 

DSD: San Diego charity events are another great way to have a fun time while giving back to a good cause. Aside from giving back to Big Brothers Big Sisters, what are some of your favorite local charity events?

JL: I spent some time on the board of the Tecolote Youth Baseball Academy.  I run a not for profit youth Travel Baseball team with a few friends of mine.  They are one of the top 15 under travel teams in the country and spending time with those young men is an honor.  My wife and I always participate in the cancer walk in Sea Port village, and I am an annual donor to The HeadNorth foundation, Voices for Children, Martin Luther King Jr foundation, After School All Stars, and the Cancer Society.

DSD: Why do you think San Diego is such a great city for professional and social networking? 

JL: San Diego is a melting pot of different people from all over the world.  It has a small town feel with big city elements.  You can surf in the morning and ski in the afternoons, hike in the mountains or shop in the city.  There is a little something for everybody, and a little of everybody in something which makes the people here so much more willing to learn about who you are.  Having lived in so many different places it is so refreshing live in a place that encourages conversation and unity.  I feel more than lucky to have planted my feet in San Diego.

DSD: What advice do you have for young San Diego entrepreneurs who want to make a difference in the world, starting at the local level? 

JL: Getting involved in your community is absolutely the best thing any young entrepreneur can do for themselves. The selflessness that you learn from donating your time will translate to your career and teach you things you could never learn in a meeting.  Any successful businessperson can you tell you there is no business without a community.

DSD: When you’re not working, where can we find you in San Diego? 

JL: You can find me on the golf course playing in someone’s charity golf tournament. If I am not there, I must be coaching little league or playing baseball with some friends making faces at my baby girl.

For more information on Schwartz Commercial Realty, visit schwartzcommercial.com.

To learn more about the San Diego Young Professionals Committee, Young Professionals of the Month, or networking events, friend them on Facebook. Funds raised by the Young Professionals Committee events are donated to Big Brothers, Big Sisters of San Diego County.  For more information, visit the BBBS site. 

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