Stars to Watch 2013: Chad Buchanan

Chief Investment Officer, Tryko Partners L.L.C.

Greatest Accomplishments:“Leaving Atlanta to come up here.” Also, refinancing the then foundering Sears Tower in 2006-07 while working for Carlton Group. And at the beginning of this year, closing the purchase of the Crestbury Apartments in Camden, N.J., a very complex transaction two years in the making and requiring rehab work. Wells Fargo financed the affordable housing property with Freddie Mac financing through the HUD risk-share program.

What Others Say About Him: Wells Fargo Multi-Family Capital managing director Thomas Schissler calls him very professional and efficient, someone who “gets it.”

Best Advice: Mark Snyderman told him in late 2007: During the last major real estate downturn, the younger guys were laid off, and most of them left the industry. Those that held on were able to find gainful employment if not excel, and when the market recovered, those that had stuck it out became the leaders of the industry in the next cycle.

Greatest Challenges: Balancing work and family: He has two children, a three-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son. “Always try to be the best you can be in both places.”

Secrets to Success: “Doing what I love. I think you have to love it to be successful, because it’s incredibly competitive.” You have to have a work ethic, but if you don’t love it how long does it sustain you?

Advice to Others: Be a good colleague—don’t throw people under the bus, as the industry is incredibly small and people who treat others with respect do get noticed and remembered. Expose yourself to as much of the industry as you can from day one.

—Suzann D. Silverman

More details on the accomplishments of CPE’s 2013 Stars to Watch appeared in the May 2013 issue.