A conversation with Oakland developer Phil Tagami
Mike Consol East Bay Business Times publisher
First job: Pumping gas and cleaning toilets at my father's Chevron station in Berkeley.
Business philosophy: Every day is Monday, and every night is Saturday night. I work seven days a week, and I enjoy myself every day.
How do you stay motivated: There's a lot to do. The desire to create is one of the greatest callings. Being involved in that process and using buildings as a metaphor is pretty powerful and fulfilling.
Guiding principle: Fear no one and respect everyone.
Definition of success: The love and respect of my wife and children, and that's continuous and evolutionary.
Goal yet to be achieved: Oakland's revitalization. I'd like to think we're halfway there.
Best decision: To buy real estate in downtown Oakland.
Worst decision: Not buying more real estate in Oakland.
Definition of leadership: Lead by example and lead from the front. You need to be visible and take risks.
Mentor: My business partner Len Epstein and former Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown.
Word that best describes you: Polymathic.
Like best about job: Creating things.
Like least about job: Having to rely on agreements rather than a handshake.
Interests: Painting, sculpting, music, community organizations, politics, family, and strategy games like chess and Go.
Pet peeve: Architects and contractors who send salespeople to meetings. I want to have a technical meeting with architects and contractors.
Most important lesson learned: Trust, subject to verification.
Person most interested in meeting: Robert Moses. He was the director of public works in New York City from 1916 to 1964. He was probably the greatest builder of public works in the history of the world outside of the Medici family.
Most respected competitor: Terry McGrath, who used to own Aegis Realty Partners and Aegis Equity Partners, now McGrath Properties.
Greatest fear: The health and welfare of my family.
Idea of perfect happiness: I thought this was perfect happiness.
Greatest strength: Adaptability.
Characteristic most admired: Loyalty.
Characteristic most deplored: Pretention.
First choice for a new career: Sommelier.
Favorite quote: This week it's probably, "To the heavens through the thorns."
Current state of mind: Contemplative. It's the end of the year and there's a lot of interesting things we're going to get involved in.
How do you deal with disappointment: Not every well. I usually redouble my efforts.
How do you deal with stress: I'm getting better at it.
Exercise of choice: Weight lifting.
Question you want answered: How long will it take?
Most influential book: "The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism," by John C. Bogle, the former CEO of Vanguard.
Most ecstatic moment: When Jessica said "yes" to being my wife.
Life's most beautiful sound: Daddy.
Name: Phil Tagami
Companies: California Commercial Investments and California Capital Group
Title: Managing general partner
Years with company: 16
Career: Property manager and director of operations at Berger Enterprises, and has been active in local and regional politics, serving on numerous commissions and boards.
Boards: District chairman for Boy Scouts of America; Bridge Housing; YMCA of Oakland; The Crucible; Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation
Education: Dropped out of Berkeley High School
Residence: Montclair
Family: Wife Jessica, son Kane and daughter Carly
http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/01/14/newscolumn1.html?page=all
First job: Pumping gas and cleaning toilets at my father's Chevron station in Berkeley.
Business philosophy: Every day is Monday, and every night is Saturday night. I work seven days a week, and I enjoy myself every day.
How do you stay motivated: There's a lot to do. The desire to create is one of the greatest callings. Being involved in that process and using buildings as a metaphor is pretty powerful and fulfilling.
Guiding principle: Fear no one and respect everyone.
Definition of success: The love and respect of my wife and children, and that's continuous and evolutionary.
Goal yet to be achieved: Oakland's revitalization. I'd like to think we're halfway there.
Best decision: To buy real estate in downtown Oakland.
Worst decision: Not buying more real estate in Oakland.
Definition of leadership: Lead by example and lead from the front. You need to be visible and take risks.
Mentor: My business partner Len Epstein and former Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown.
Word that best describes you: Polymathic.
Like best about job: Creating things.
Like least about job: Having to rely on agreements rather than a handshake.
Interests: Painting, sculpting, music, community organizations, politics, family, and strategy games like chess and Go.
Pet peeve: Architects and contractors who send salespeople to meetings. I want to have a technical meeting with architects and contractors.
Most important lesson learned: Trust, subject to verification.
Person most interested in meeting: Robert Moses. He was the director of public works in New York City from 1916 to 1964. He was probably the greatest builder of public works in the history of the world outside of the Medici family.
Most respected competitor: Terry McGrath, who used to own Aegis Realty Partners and Aegis Equity Partners, now McGrath Properties.
Greatest fear: The health and welfare of my family.
Idea of perfect happiness: I thought this was perfect happiness.
Greatest strength: Adaptability.
Characteristic most admired: Loyalty.
Characteristic most deplored: Pretention.
First choice for a new career: Sommelier.
Favorite quote: This week it's probably, "To the heavens through the thorns."
Current state of mind: Contemplative. It's the end of the year and there's a lot of interesting things we're going to get involved in.
How do you deal with disappointment: Not every well. I usually redouble my efforts.
How do you deal with stress: I'm getting better at it.
Exercise of choice: Weight lifting.
Question you want answered: How long will it take?
Most influential book: "The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism," by John C. Bogle, the former CEO of Vanguard.
Most ecstatic moment: When Jessica said "yes" to being my wife.
Life's most beautiful sound: Daddy.
Name: Phil Tagami
Companies: California Commercial Investments and California Capital Group
Title: Managing general partner
Years with company: 16
Career: Property manager and director of operations at Berger Enterprises, and has been active in local and regional politics, serving on numerous commissions and boards.
Boards: District chairman for Boy Scouts of America; Bridge Housing; YMCA of Oakland; The Crucible; Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation
Education: Dropped out of Berkeley High School
Residence: Montclair
Family: Wife Jessica, son Kane and daughter Carly
http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/01/14/newscolumn1.html?page=all
