A Well-Developed Career

MIAMI- Jones Lang LaSalle's senior vice president Melissa Hazlewood has moved from strength to strength as part of her career. She has reached the point where she understands - and enjoys - the rewards of being a mentor, but also has plenty of ambition left over for herself. Halzlewood took a few moments from her schedule to answer a few questions for us - read on for the full interview. 

How did you become part of the commercial real estate industry and what aspect do you find most fascinating?

Hazlewood: Following a 14-year career working for The Walt Disney Co., I decided to return to school to pursue bachelors and masters degrees in business administration and then went on to open my own business, a small financial consulting firm in Orlando. Four years later, I joined Hill of Beans Coffee Co. to manage their operations and worked for the specialty coffee company for three years. While I was on vacation, I got a call from Jones Lang LaSalle to join the firm and the interview sold me on the opportunity.

When I started in 2003, my first position was as an Assistant General Manager and over the past 10 years, I've grown my role within the firm. I now lead our property management portfolio in Central and North Florida, which encompasses 5.3 million square feet of office and industrial space. I love that no two days are identical. I'm always learning something new and I'm constantly challenged to be creative and innovative when it comes to meeting the needs of our clients.

What has your experience been like as a woman in this field and how has it changed over time?

Hazlewood: JLL values diversity and that emphasis has only strengthened during my 10-year tenure. Being part of an industry that has historically been led by men, there have been challenges along the way. But with challenge, comes opportunity. If you prove that you have the knowledge and leadership, you are going to earn respect in your field, no matter the industry.

Within the past decade, I have seen more and more women enter commercial real estate and advance to leadership roles. Women who started decades ago have opened doors for younger women in the industry today. Mentorship has played a key role in that development. A few years after I joined the firm, I worked with a property administrator who was interested in learning more and showed potential for growth. I took the time to mentor her and today, she is a top performer for our company in Central Florida.

What's next for the Central Florida market - and how will it fare into 2014?

Hazlewood: We are seeing positive trends, such as a drop in the unemployment rate, a rise in consumer confidence and lower vacancy rates at commercial properties. These metrics indicate the economy is recovering. As market fundamentals strengthen, we should see landlord concessions decreasing throughout the next year. With many commercial loans coming due in 2014, this strengthening of the market should prove favorable for landlords and could result in assets trading hands.

At JLL, our property management business in the region continues to grow. In Orlando alone, we have experienced 90% growth in our property management portfolio based on square footage over the past 18 months. The firm has gained more than 10 new property management assignments across the region. On the heels of this growth, JLL acquired Means Knaus Partners, a leading expert in property management with properties across the nation and here in Florida.

Describe one of your most interesting achievements since you moved into this industry. 

Hazlewood: I consider my career development within the firm to be my greatest achievement, along with having the chance to build and mentor a team of high-performing, award-winning individuals. Their dedication is reflected in the level of service we provide and the results we earn for our clients. For example, when JLL was appointed to manage Maitland Promenade in Orlando, we completed upgrades and improvements that increased the property's Energy Star rating from 44 to 90 and earned it the first LEED Gold EBOM (Existing Building: Operations and Maintenance) certification in Orlando, translating into significant energy savings for the ownership.

On a personal level, in 2007, I completed a 100-mile cycling event around Lake Tahoe to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through Team in Training, which was a meaningful experience for me. I believe a truly successful leader is one who values the balance between professional and personal goals in order to experience all that life has to offer and I have been fortunate enough to work with leaders who support and encourage these values.

What advice would you give to a younger woman just starting out in commercial real estate in order for her to be a success?

Hazlewood: My advice would be to lead by example, strive for excellence and find supportive mentors. Setting career goals and communicating those goals to your managers is critical to achieving success. You have to identify the achievements that you want to pursue and the steps you need to take to make them a reality.