By Ryan Miller
4460 Corporation Lane, #300, Virginia Beach | 757-490-3141 | PembrokeRealty.com
Founded: 1962
Employees: Approximately 50 within Pembroke Commercial Realty; an additional 20 within the affiliated Pembroke Square Associates
The longevity of service from a multitude of Pembroke Commercial Realty’s devoted employees may be one of the most significant indicators of the company’s all-around excellence in standards. Many have served their entire careers within Pembroke Commercial Realty, dating back to its establishment in 1962 by Fred Napolitano and Richard Olivieri, who founded the company with the belief that having service-oriented and family-focused policies and procedures were the constituents to success. “They would always make decisions, not based on necessarily money, but the relationships they had with their tenants, even if it meant less money for them,” reflects Ramsay Smith, president of Pembroke Commercial Realty. Because of this, the accomplished real estate firm has become what it is today, with an immense portfolio of properties and services, from retail and office leasing to property management and sales and development of land.
Within the office environment, a continuity of monthly meetings with upper management and individual meetings with departments is vital to engagement. These meetings help contribute to camaraderie within differentiating divisions while creating positive mindsets when resolving conflicts and providing their clients with exceptional service. On top of this, opportunities for growth and promotions are substantial. Debra Guerrero began at Pembroke Commercial Realty in 1984 with practically no experience in real estate but had so many doors open for her that she’s now executive vice president of commercial property management, commercial and residential divisions, a route that is familiarly taken by many of the employees working their way up at the firm. “We think that everyone has something to contribute,” remarks Smith, who always welcomes and asks for feedback and suggestions from employees.
“I’ve been very blessed to be a part of the Pembroke team,” says Kathy Harris, who has worked 31 years at the company, is now executive vice president/controller and has children whom have joined Pembroke Commercial Realty. Harris refers to the owners and executives as having parental qualities with the family tree of employees, where even gestures such as babysitting each other’s children and carpooling to work are cultural norms, because that’s what family does. “We look out for one another, from the top down.”
Work Perks
- 401(k) with employer matching 6 percent of employees’ contributions
- 35-hour work weeks
- Paid education for work-related classes
- Free week of paid time off at 15 years of employment
- Bonuses at milestone anniversaries
- Company outings including picnics with games and prizes, Norfolk Tides games at Harbor Park, Hampton Roads Corporate Challenge, annual Christmas luncheon
- Weekly jeans day with a monetary donation to charity
- Monthly breakfast celebration honoring work anniversaries or birthdays
- Bonuses at milestone anniversaries
Why I Love My Job
“Fred Napolitano and Richard Olivieri started this company in 1962. It has changed and evolved over the years but has remained a small, efficiently run company that is respected in the business community. Pembroke has never been known for blowing their own horn but has been quietly successful. I am proud to be an employee and a part of who they are today.”
—Sharon Fadness, Development/Marketing Coordinator, 33 years with Pembroke Commercial Realty
