Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company and the duties of your position.
Ken Stark: Stark & Associates is a Nevada-grown company established in 2003 and in 2007, after several years of research, we affiliated with TCN Worldwide Commercial Real Estate. Today we have nine associates in Reno and over 1,200 TCN Worldwide members throughout the U.S. Simply put, we help our clients lease, sell or buy commercial real estate. Whether they need assistance with retail, office, medical, industrial, land, apartments or investment property, we are here to consult, acquire or dispose.
NNBW: How did you get into this profession?
Stark: I spent over 14 years with IBM in sales and management, climbing the corporate ladder with stops in Boise, New York and San Francisco. Then I came to Reno with IBM in 1993 on a temporary assignment. I was only supposed to be here a couple of years but the great people, business opportunity and the outdoors really captured me. I love this area and saw that it was ready for growth and I was ready for a change. Owning my own business and commercial real estate were always areas of interest.
NNBW: What do you like most or find most interesting about your job.
Stark: My background is in corporate sales of technology and banking. In commercial real estate, I use these skills everyday, whether it’s in my own business or helping a client with analyzing a real estate requirement. Every day is different and has its unique challenges.
NNBW: Any interesting trends in the industry?
Stark: Our industry is affected in many ways with the local and national economy, workforce, education, interest rates and technology just to name a few. The latest trend we have been experiencing is the way we advertise our properties and services. When I first got into this business, each commercial real estate agent conducted business like a lone wolf. Now, if you aren’t working in a team environment, you miss out on the large business or account opportunities. The Stark way of servicing our clients is unique because we work together as a team to offer the best solutions and expertise for the successful fulfillment of our clients’ needs.
NNBW: What was your first job?
Stark: My first job from college was with the U.S. Treasury, Comptroller of the Currency as a bank examiner.
NNBW: What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Stark: I wanted to be a forest ranger so that I could enjoy the outdoors.
NNBW: Last concert or sporting event attended?
Stark: The BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament
NNBW: Ideal vacation spot?
Stark: On a river in the Sierra Mountains
