Real Estate Investment Analyst sees Angel Investment Group as Key to Local Economic Growth

MAITLAND, Fla. --- Local investment in local enterprises is the key to economic growth in Central Florida, says George Livingston, chairman of NAI Realvest in Maitland and a leading and longtime Orlando-area real estate investment analyst.

And Livingston is willing to put his money where his mouth is.

Livingston recently signed on as a founding member of Maximize Angel Investments Orlando, Inc., an angel investment firm that aims to invest in Florida companies with a bright future.

“We are not going to substantially improve the local economy by luring companies here with big tax breaks,” Livingston said.

“Every community in the U.S. is playing that game, and they’re all chasing the same half dozen companies,” Livingston said.

Livingston is convinced a “grow our own” philosophy is the more cost-effective path toward economic development.

“We should be investing in new, innovative approaches in information technology, energy, life sciences, software, clean tech, communications and entertainment,” Livingston said. “Those are sustainable industries, and we have the talent right here in Central Florida to make those industries thrive,” he said.

Livingston said groups like Maximize Angel Investments Orlando, help identify prospective growth companies and track their investment value.

“We have substantial resources right here in Central Florida — at the UCF Business Incubation and GrowFL programs, for example — to identify appropriate startup companies that have high potential for accelerated growth,” Livingston said.

“We also have investment capital. Angel investment networks like Maximize Angel Investments Orlando, puts the capital and mentors together with the entrepreneurs who will lead a new, sustainable economy recovery,” he said.

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest in Orlando, serving all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

Commercial Real Estate Experts to Stage Summit Conference on Current Economic Conditions, Future Trends June 23

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The Florida Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association will hold a summit conference on the current economy and future commercial real estate trends on Thursday, June 23 at the Citrus Club in downtown Orlando.

Panelists for the summit conference include a who’s who of Central Florida commercial real estate advisors.
• George Livingston, chairman emeritus of NAI Realvest, one of the region’s most active commercial real estate developers, investors, brokers, and sources of development capital;
• John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, one of the largest retail management, leasing and development companies in the Southeast;
• Jay Ballard, senior director of Apartment Brokerage Services at Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.;
• Patrick Chisholm, vice president of Maury L. Carter Associates, Inc.;
• David Murphy, senior vice president of Industrial Properties at CB Richard Ellis; and
• Frank M. Mock, an attorney at Lowndes Drosdick Doster Kantor & Reed, PA, will moderate the panel discussion.

Cost to attend the event is $45; to register or for more information, visit www.tmaflorida.org or telephone 954-653-2484.