Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Ryland.
Hi Ed, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started the company from an index box on my kitchen table over 38 years ago. Fast forward to where we are today – we have completed assignments in Pert Australia, Warsaw Poland, Alaska and many states and cities across the country. We are an award winning firm built on the principle of value—which is the meaning of our name (ARVO Realty Advisors). Our approach is to start every assignment by focusing on adding and expanding value and continue this mission throughout the entire engagement.
ARVO Realty Advisors is a full-service commercial real estate service firm with global capabilities. Considered among the Best in Class minority-owned commercial real estate firm in the country. We are not just about business we are deeply committed to the community. Having created and supported several initiatives and programs addressing the needs of the community. From homelessness, to economic development to the technology gap. We believe that we will never reach our ultimate goal unless we find a way to give back
I am President and CEO from St Louis Mo. Graduate of William Penn University in Oskaloosa Iowa. I came from the concrete street of inner city St Louis to the cornfields and cow patches of Oskaloosa Iowa. Came to Houston as fast as I could. I am an award-winning real estate professional with 35+ years of experience. I hold the highly recognized CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Management) designation considered the PhD of commercial real estate and the MCR (Master of Corporate Real Estate) designations, which ensures that I am proficient in commercial and investment real estate theory, and also in practice.
Some of my clients include:
• City of Houston
• FDIC
• Texas Tech University
• University of Houston
• Houston Housing Authority
• The Harris Center
• Macy’s, Inc.
• Marathon Oil Company
• Hewlett Packard
• Shell Oil Company
• SCI
• Mace- Mace Macro
Awards
• 2021 U.S. Department of Commerce Leadership Award
• 2021 City of Houston “Ed Ryland Day” Proclamation
• 2019 Corenet Lifetime Achievement
• Business Person of the Year, The Houston Defender and Guaranty Federal Savings
• Former President, Texas and Houston Realtist organizations
• Featured in the Houston Business Journal for entrepreneurial success and leadership
• Nominated for Commercial Broker of the Year, Houston Association of Realtors Commercial Division
• 2021 Chair, West Houston Chamber of Commerce
• Creator, IMOC (Invest in My Own Community) and Debunking the Myth programs. These are a collaboration of real estate experts, community stakeholders and public policy makers to address the lack of commercial real estate investment and development within underserved communities
• Former Chair, Prairie View A&M University College of Business Advisory Board
We are headquartered in Houston TX we have offices in New York some affiliate offices across the country our primary audience our clients are in three buckets they are Fortune 500 corporations, public sector clients federal state local government entities and small to mid-sized businesses.
In the beginning, we had dreams of running our own real estate organization but we had very little financial resources and at that time there was very little support for minority owned or for minorities wanting to get into commercial real estate. So how did we do it? First, we’ve always started with a prayer and a plan. We may not have known what we were doing but we had a plan. The plan was followed. It did not always turn out the way we planned but we had a plan. We were committed to success we have always believed we could be successful in a business that is tremendously underrepresented by minorities. Especially African Americans. We worked hard to obtain the necessary education and training as a commercial real estate professional and training as a CEO. Family support and others that believed in our dream has been key.
We also focused on our COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE. Maintaining a competitive advantage in such a competitive industry is critical. We do it by ensuring we have market knowledge, industry knowledge, credentials, relationships, a strong team, respected brand awareness and the ability to add value, professionalism and by getting RESULTS.
Finally, I would say, Building and Leaving a legacy is crucial. We lost 41% of black businesses during the pandemic. As a 1st generation business owner, I have seen how non minorities have built companies that are 2nd and third generations. We must do the same, we impact the lives and communities in ways that would never happen without us. The best way to leave a legacy is by giving back. I am so proud and blessed to have my daughter Tiffany as a part of the organization to keep the legacy going.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As an entrepreneur everyday can be different and the challenges and opportunities change. Many of which we have little to no control over. Who anticipated the pandemic? However, for minority owned companies and particularly those in industries that refuse to include diversity the challenges can be overwhelming. Commercial real estate is one of those. Direct and unconscious biases still exist. We still have tremendous challenges getting corporate America to include diverse firms in their procurement opportunities. Attracting and retaining talent is also an ongoing challenge.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a commercial real estate expert. For more than 35 years, I have held leadership roles within the business world and within my community, with a track record of translating vision and determination into success. I believe good leaders must think of others more than they think of themselves. I model myself after those who lead by example without expecting attention or applause, and who produce extraordinary results.
Education & Credentials:
• Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business MBE Executive Program
• Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Advanced Management Education Program
• Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)
• Master of Corporate Real Estate (MCR), CoreNet
When I am asked to serve, I commit to bringing all my experiences, successes, and failures to make the organization better than it has ever been. I am a successful business owner, and my prior careers have given me experience working with both government and corporate institutions. I have been recognized throughout my career as a thought leader and game-changer within my community. I created the Economic Development and Diversity Institute for the Houston Association of Realtors, and I am also responsible for the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council’s CEO Academy idea. This program exposes minority business owners to the CEOs of major corporations to gain strategic thinking, and leadership skills.
I am a graduate of Leadership Houston and a fellow at the Center for Houston’s Future. I have formerly served as president of both the Houston Black Real Estate Association and the Texas Association of Real Estate Brokers. I have served as national vice chair of the National Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee. I have done considerable work with many community-based organizations. For example, I created and currently lead Invest In My Own Community (IMOC), which seeks to build generational wealth within underserved and underinvested communities.
Published Work
I spent a year traveling across the country interviewing entrepreneurs and leaders of minority-owned companies. With the insights I gained, I wrote The Secrets to Building A Successful Minority-Owned Company. This book is helping businesses across the country grow and flourish. Below are just a few of the responses I’ve received from readers:
• “The Secrets to Building a Successful Minority-Owned Company is super solid. I marked mine up like a Bible. I went back and read chapters and sections multiple times.”
• “Ed, I found your book to be a treasure chest of valuable insight and good old-fashioned, down-to-earth, faith-based advice, extremely relevant to the business landscape our company occupies.”
• “Ed, this is an excellent book that every minority business owner should read, in my opinion! You give honest and practical solutions to succeed in the business world. It’s like having your very own road map.”
Activities & Accolades
CoreNet, the premier international corporate real estate organization presented me with its 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award, making me the first minority to receive this award from the Gulf Coast region.
Other honors and activities include:
• 2019 Community Leadership Award from the Texas Black Expo.
• West Houston Chamber of Commerce Board Member
• Businessperson of the Month by the Guaranty Federal Bank FSB and the Houston Defender.
• First Small Business Chairperson for Houston’s Government Procurement Connections (GPC)
• Houston Minority Business Council Board of Directors, Treasurer and MBE Advisory Committee Chair
• Houston Community College Procurement Review Committee
• Shell Youth Training Academy Mentor
• Texas Association of Real Estate Brokers Meritorious Award
• Certificate of Achievement, Creating Leadership in Action by Leadership Houston
• Inaugural Class of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program
• Houston Minority Supplier Development Council MBE to MBE Development Award
• YMCA Appreciation Award
• Houston Real Estate Association, Award for Excellent Guidance and Dedicated Services
• Houston Minority Business Council Board of Directors presentation, “In Honor of Ed Ryland for the Time, Dedication, Support, and Leadership to the Houston Minority Business Council as Chair of the Minority Business Enterprise Advisory Committee”
• U.S. Department of Commerce Regional Minority Business Services Firm of the Year
• Outstanding Leadership Award presented by Texas Realtist
• Emerging 10 Award by the Houston Minority Business Council
• Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award Winner
• Houston Minority Supplier Development Council, MBE to MBE Development Award
• Houston’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For
• Marathon Oil Corporation Living Our Values Award, Finalist
• Appointed by Mayor of Houston to the “Complete Community Task Force”
• Former Board Member, Leadership Houston
• Former Director, Literacy Advance
• Former Director, JASA House; a facility for women experiencing domestic violence
• Former Board Member, ESCAPE Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse
• Former Chair of Prairie View A&M University School of Business Advisory Board
What matters most to you? Why?
Inspiring, encouraging and making a difference in someone’s life is most important to me. I remember all the people who have impacted my life and are responsible for who I am today. Nothing is more fulfilling than helping someone.
Contact Info:
- Email: ed.ryland@arvorealtyadvisors.com
- Website: www.arvorealtyadvisors.com and www.edryland.com
- Instagram: Ed Ryland
- Facebook: Ed Ryland
