I was born in the then sleepy Los Angeles suburb of La Crescenta in 1960. My mother and father were first and second generation Americans, respectively, and taught me the importance of a good work ethic and never give up attitude that has stuck with me throughout my life. I had a pretty traditional childhood, growing up with my brothers, Brian and Kevin.
Much of the success I have had in life I owe to my parents. My mother, Joyce came to America as a young teen during the Battle of Britain in World War II. My brothers and I learned a great deal from her unending patience, kindness and modesty/perseverance. My father’s parents escaped Turkey during the Armenian genocide in 1915. From him I learned an incredible work ethic and respect for tradition. Discipline, determination, toughness , loyalty, and pride are the first words that come to mind when I think of my dad. The fearlessness that my parents and grandparents showed in overcoming their circumstances and never giving up has instilled in me a confidence and courage that I otherwise would not have.
From a young age I was attracted to the sport of basketball. In my early years, I’m sure the influence of my father, Ed, who was a high school coach and my older brothers drew me to the sport. But by the beginning of junior high school it had become an obsession and I poured all of my energy and effort into being the best basketball player in the neighborhood. By high school, that goal shifted to best player in the country.
All this work paid off, by my senior year I broke the all-time California scoring record and was named a McDonald’s All-American. Coached by my dad, our high school team saw great success, ranking in the top 25 in the country. I was recruited by most of the top schools in the country and ended up accepting a full time scholarship to Arizona State University. After a stint at University of Nevada Las Vegas I finished my senior year at Loyola Marymount, where my dad had accepted the head coaching position. That final season I averaged 26 points a game, first among all seniors.
After being drafted and later cut by the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, I realized that it would be hard for me to have a successful basketball career and raise a family. Basketball had given me a lot of things: memories, trophies, and important traits like leadership, respect and teamwork. But most importantly, it paid for a college education that became valuable for my future career in business and real estate.
While finishing up my degree, I met and eventually married Leann Peccole and together we had two beautiful sons, Gavin and Camden. It was through Leann’s father Bill that I became involved in real estate and learned the art of the deal.
For the next 20 years of my life, I worked for Peccole Nevada Corporation and developed some of the finest master-planned residential, commercial and office space in the western United States.
In 199-, I met and married Patty Van Blaricum. Together we had another beautiful boy, Colin. I continued to work at Peccole Nevada, in my later years focusing mostly on sales and marketing aspects of the residential side of the company as Vice President of the corporation. Following in my fathers footsteps, I also began coaching high school basketball in 1997, coaching sons Gavin and Camden. We won 4 consecutive state championships, from 2002-2006.
Through my work in residential sales in communities like Queensridge and Queensridge North, I developed a relationship with Yohan Lowie and Executive Home Builders. Through the years I worked as a conduit between EHB and Peccole Nevada, a relationship that culminated with the sale of – acres of Peccole property for 13- million dollars.
Following this land transaction, much of the residential and sales focus of Peccole
Shifted to EHB, so I accepted a job with them doing residential sales of the finest luxury high-rise condo development in Las Vegas, One Queensridge Place.
Following the buildout of One Queensridge the global financial crisis hit. As far back as 2000 I had flirted with a move to Melbourne, where I could be closer two my brothers and raise my family in a world class city. I decided this was the perfect time to try something new and I made the leap over the pond. Now it’s time to sink or swim; if the past indicates anything about the future I’m confident I will swim.
For more information on projects and developments that I’ve played a key role in, click here.
