I’ll bet you’ve never heard of Jack Valtrade.

Jack is one of the most successful commercial real estate operators in the eastern US.  He owns 25 shopping centers, a 200 store retail chain, a leasing company, a property management company, and a consulting business.  His net worth is estimated at $500 million, all self-made.

Chain Store Advisors interviewed Jack last month to gain some insights into his success.  “I have an unusual background,” he said.  “My dad is a PhD Economist with the Census Bureau and my mom teaches Geographic Information Systems at Princeton.  My first job was working for a commercial real estate broker when I was 16.  I put myself through M.I.T.  doing feasibility studies for a shopping center owner, and then got my Master’s degree in Statistics with a concentration in Consumer Research.” Continue reading →