_2.png)
Brian Horan, LEED AP
Vice President Operation – Midtown Portfolio
Brookfield Properties
How long have you been a BOMA New York member and how did you first get involved with the Association?
I became an Assistant Property Manager in 1995. While I did not work directly for him, I was fortunate to be exposed to Ed Fallon, a past BOMA New York President, who encouraged the young managers at the time to get involved, and we did. He implied that it was essential for our careers and the industry to become members of BOMA NY and get our RPA. Engaging with BOMA NY is still encouraged at Brookfield Properties today.
What is your favorite BOMA New York event and why?
My favorite event doesn’t happen anymore. It was called BOMA Bagels. It was a breakfast/information sharing program that involved mentors and got your day started.
Since BOMA Bagels is no longer running, my current favorite event is the Holiday Luncheon. You get to see people in the industry that you don’t normally get to see and it is the perfect event to catch up.
You began your career in 1984 as a Union laborer, until you ultimately transitioned to the operations side at 1 Liberty Plaza. How important were the years as a union laborer and how does that experience continue to be relevant as you manage Brookfield’s midtown portfolio?
The most important takeaway is, I was one of the guys. I got to know the engineers as we poured concrete pads or doing work in the engine rooms. When I transitioned into management, I brought the philosophy of, “While I am the boss, I am still a regular guy.” My goal is and was to be more of a coach to help people make their jobs easier. The guys like to know that I was once one of them and I pride myself on being a player/manager.
You’ve managed many iconic assets, including The Grace Building and Manhattan West. As you look back at your career, what has been the biggest challenge?
The number one challenge in my career must be 9/11. I was the assistant property manager at 1 Liberty Plaza on that fateful morning. I was part of a group that stayed and evacuated the building. I saw things that can’t be unseen and even tried giving CPR to somebody. Believe it or not, I was back at the building on September 12th, trying to assist in getting things back up and running. I literally worked 21-days in a row, including weekends. Once things at 1 Liberty were operational, I was transferred to become the Property Manager at 200 Liberty.
1 Liberty Plaza was the first building to reopen after 9/11 and 200 Liberty was the second building to reopen inside of Ground Zero. I am extremely proud of that. However, it was certainly my biggest challenge to date. It was an extremely emotional time – not only for me, but for the country, and for the commercial real estate industry. We didn’t know if those buildings were going to be reoccupied. We didn’t know if people wanted to come back. I was young and facing a possible career change, because what were we going to do if the buildings didn’t come back or the economy didn’t rebound. So, both professionally and personally, 9/11 was my biggest challenge.
Knowing that we were able to overcome the impossible while the entire country was watching places confidence in myself and my team to be ready for any task or challenge; since then and moving forward.
Manhattan West is an early pioneer in “Tenant Wellness”. How important is tenant wellness and how does it impact operations?
In the matter of ten tears, Manhattan West went from a hole in the ground and a very tough area to a completely different planet, filled with retail, restaurants, office space and new residential opportunities. Within that time, tenant engagement also changed. It went from a formulaic punch in and punch out routine to a personable immersive experience. Said differently, the industry went from blue collar operations to white glove concierge service. By way of example, our security guards need to greet people with a smile, as they are on the front line. The building experience starts with them. It’s a simple example, but an important one because as operators, we need to recognize that tenants can rent anywhere.
Today, we must give tenants the best experience we can. While the transition from the old world of doing things to the new world of doing things costs more and impacts the bottom line, tenant satisfaction is paramount and expected.
How do you manage and motivate your team?
People are all too used to receiving constructive feedback or told when they didn’t do something right. They rarely receive a pat on the back or positive feedback. That is where I try to be different and frankly how I was raised here at Brookfield. Throughout my career, positive feedback was there for me and is a great indicator of the type of quality leadership before me. I want to maintain and improve upon that.
I also leverage the 40-years I’ve had in this business. I tell my team that if they made a mistake or have a problem, don’t hide it. I let them know that I likely made that same mistake at some point and can offer really good advice on how to proceed. Bottom line, honesty and transparency is what makes a team rise to the top and those are the two character traits I ask my team to live by.
I am happy to say that almost every assistant property manager that worked for me are now either a property manager or a general manager – all of whom are still at Brookfield – a fact that I consider a badge of honor.
Giving back is an important part of BOMA NY’s ethos. Do you have a passion project?
I’ve been very blessed in life. So I always try to give back. We had a scare with my youngest son many years ago. He presented signs of having lymphoma. Fortunately, it was a misdiagnosis and at that point we knew we needed to make a difference in the world of cancer research. My wife and I run a team called Relay for Life in order to raise money for the American Cancer Society. My wife is the single biggest individual fundraiser in the Hudson Valley for ten years running.
When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing with your spare time?
I am an avid golfer. It came easy to me. When I was a younger man, I was on a night shift and I’d get off the bus and go straight to the golf course. Those were the days. Parenthood forced me to take a bit of a hiatus. I had to relearn the game and still love it, playing at least once per week.
If you can go out to lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and where would you go?
That’s easy. I’d like to go to lunch with my mom, may she rest in peace. We’d go to the kosher deli on Broadway in Riverdale. That was our spot and it’s still there.
What’s your favorite book and favorite movie?
Tom Clancy and Stephen King are two of my favorite authors. As for movies, I love the James Bond series. Roger Moore and Sean Connery take me back to watching those films with my dad.
