VBJ November 18

THE VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
4 www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com
November 2018
EXECUTIVE PROFILE | Charley Black
When I was growing up in
Fallbrook in the late 1970’s and
early 80’s, Temecula wasn’t
even on our radar. At that time,
“Rancho California” was simply
a place you drove through on the
way to our ski trips in Big Bear.
Shortly after graduating from
college, I took a job in 1988 with
a small commercial real estate
brokerage based in Carlsbad.
By 1989, the Carlsbad operation
closed down, but the broker said he
still had an office (in a temporary
trailer with a port-a-potty out back!)
on Old Town Front St. in Temecula.
I figured “what the heck” and I found
myself selling and leasing industrial
building in Temecula.
I still remember buying my first
house in Temecula in 1989. It was
a tract located behind what later became
Chaparral High School. I had
to “Camp Out” for a month to save
my place in line to buy a little 2 bdr.,
904 sq. ft. house for $101,000. I used
to run my dogs in the vast open fields
before Margarita Rd. was extended to
connect with Murrieta Hot Springs
Rd., often bumping into a herd of
grazing sheep where Harveston sits
today!
It’s hard to believe I’ve been
living and working in the Temecula
Valley for 29 years.
Profession:
Commercial Real Estate Broker
since 1988. Co-founder of Lee & Associates
Temecula Valley Office in 1999,
having grown the office from 2 agents
to 15 since origination. I specialize in
Industrial real estate – both sales and
leasing – in the Temecula Valley and
Southwest Riverside County.
Family:
I married my wife Michelle only
5 yrs. ago. We have 3 kids each from
prior marriages, though we are “empty-nesters”
as our youngest graduated
high school last Spring. Michelle and I
bought a great little place in the heart of
Temecula’s wine country….only steps
away from Wilson Creek and Monte de
Oro wineries. So these days, my dogs
and I find ourselves walking / running
through beautiful vineyards instead of
running into grazing sheep!
Business Philosophy:
My goal as a commercial real estate
broker is to always put my client’s interest
above all else. I think I’ve usually
been successful in this philosophy as
the majority of my business transactions
involve clients who I’ve worked
with multiple times over 20-25 yrs. or
more. They realize I’m not just in it for
the quick buck, and they know I’ve got
their back when it comes to our business
transactions.
Favorite Sport:
Golf is my #1 sport. I’ve been
playing and competing in golf since I
was 12 yrs. old. After playing 4 yrs. of
collegiate golf, I had thoughts of turning
pro. I think I made the right choice
(for me) in choosing a business path.
I think I’ve become a good commercial
real estate broker and I probably
didn’t have the game to become very
successful pro golfer (those guys on
tour are SO good!).
I still play just about every weekend
with my buddies at Bear Creek
Golf Club in Murrieta and still can
take it under par every now and then.
I turn 55 in about 18 months, and that’s
the age when I can start competing as
a Senior Amateur. Trying to compete
against these 25 yr. old “flat bellies” who
drive the ball 325 yards is hard work!
I’m looking to playing against guys my
own age again.
Other than golf, Michelle and I enjoy
skiing together (she’s a better skier
than I am) and enjoy our trips to Park
City among other places.
Birthplace:
I’m a native Californian, born in
L.A., moved to Fallbrook when I was
11.
Education:
I graduated from Pitzer College,
Claremont CA, in 1987 with a B.A. in
Economics
Goals
Perhaps this is a bit corny, but I
just want to be a good husband / father
/ son / friend, and to appreciate every
day and remain thankful for all of the
blessings in my life. Also, I hope to
continue to grow and improve in my
profession – I still enjoy my job. I
hope to win a few Senior Amateur
golf tourneys in the coming years,
and I’m also excited about becoming
a grandfather someday. Love those
babies!