In his own words: Commercial broker Charles Tyler Clay

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company and the duties of your position.

Charles Tyler Clay: Coldwell Banker Commercial Clay & Associates is a full-service commercial real estate firm of 12 commercial real estate agents, brokers and property managers. We have clients throughout northern Nevada in retail, office, industrial, apartments and land properties. As the broker, it is my responsibility to make sure operations move smoothly, actions of the company and agents are up to regulations, and representing the company in the community.

NNBW: How did you get into the commercial real estate profession?

Clay: I started in residential real estate and was curious about commercial. I soon decided commercial was more to my temperament.

NNBW: What's the most important thing you learned through the challenges of the recession?

Clay: Running the company lean and mean, don't overextend, and have great people as part of the company.

NNBW: What are the biggest obstacles you hope to overcome in 2013, and how will you accomplish those goals?

Clay: We want to offer some more services to our clients. We added property management in 2012, and in 2013 we will add another division to the company.

NNBW: What was your first job?

Clay: U.S. Army, 2nd lieutenant forward observer, Airborne.

NNBW: What's your dream job, and why aren't you working it?

Clay: King, and I can't figure out how to be elected to it.

NNBW: What's the most fun you have had on the job?

Clay: When I was president of the U.S. chapter of the International Real Estate Federation and I got to travel around the world.

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Clay: Never, never give up.

NNBW: What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes? How do you spend your time away from work?

Clay: Reading, gardening and traveling.

NNBW: If you could live your life over again, what one thing would you change?

Clay: I would have gotten into commercial real estate earlier.

NNBW: What do you consider to be your biggest professional accomplishment?

Clay: U.S. chapter president of FIABCI (International Real Estate Federation, a French acronym.)

NNBW: What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?

Clay: A general.

NNBW: What are five things you can't live without?

Clay: My family, my animals, my friends, good food and a nice 12-year-old Scotch whiskey.

NNBW: If you had enough money to retire right now, would you? Why or why not?

Clay: No. It would be boring.

NNBW: Where's your perfect vacation spot?

Clay: Los Barriles, Baja Sur, Mexico, where I have a vacation home with some friends.

NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like most about working/living here?

Clay: I was raised here, and the people are great.

The basics:

Name: Charles Tyler Clay, broker, Coldwell Banker Commercial Clay & Associates

Number of years in this job? Seven

Years in this profession? 11

Education: BA University of Colorado, Boulder; MBA, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia

Last book read? "The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahey and King" by Walter R. Borneman

Favorite flick? "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"

What's on your iPod? The Clash, Surf Punks, Madness and The Dead Milkmen

Spouse, kids or pets? Jackie; Charles; Skippy the dog and T2 the cat.

Know someone whose perspective you want to share with NNBW readers? Send contact information to: rsabo@nnbw.biz or call 775-850-2146.