Because people are at the core of Stream’s success, we’ve learned to identify the most talented individuals that contribute to our unique culture of service and leadership. As Stream continues to grow its business and people, we are taking this opportunity to spotlight our talented employees from all service lines, cities, and departments. These individuals are selected because they have had a significant impact on Stream, the commercial real estate industry and the local community.
For those that don’t already know him, we would like to shine a spotlight on:
Stacy Garcia serves as an Executive Vice President of Stream’s office tenant representation division in the Greater Los Angeles/Orange County market. Stacy has extensive corporate services experience, including HQ assignments, to assisting start-ups with their local offices. Stacy has been a tenant advocate for his 20-year commercial real estate career and is recognized as a sought-after expert in lease negotiations in Orange County. He has completed more than five million square feet of assignments since 1999. Prior to joining Stream, Stacy served as a Senior Managing Director of Newmark Knight Frank, where he was a Top 10 Producer within the company.
What was it that initially drew you to Stream?
It was the fact that the organization is owned and run by great people and that they are focused on providing real estate professionals like myself everything that we need to support clients on a local regional and national scale. Also, coming from a big publicly traded firm to a more entrepreneurial firm like Stream is really a breath of fresh air. It is exciting working with high-performing individuals and other tenant advocates who I can learn a lot from.
Can you tell me a bit about your role within the company?
I’m an Executive Vice President at the Greater LA office and was hired to help grow the tenant representation business. Over the past 20 years in the industry, we’ve built long-term relationships with clients based on personal trust and reliability. I’m eager to expand my role and share my knowledge about Stream’s unique platform to all Orange County companies looking to make a move.
What’s the most exciting project that you are working on at the moment?
We’re working with an architectural firm on their HQ space, a client I’ve worked with over the past 20 years. We are creating a work environment, which is not only inspiring and fun for their employees, but also a showcase space for their clients to learn about trends in multifamily architectural design. We are converting an older single-story building in Irvine to become a fully progressive, unique space with outdoor patios and roll up doors. It’s going to be a big cultural change for the client and I’m excited to be part of the process. It’s impactful for me because it’s an assignment that, due to COVID, had its share of starts/stops and has endured over the past 12 months. Through a combination of getting the plan right up front, having confidence that those plans would continue to meet the client’s workforce strategy to support higher productivity, better recruiting, talent retention and increased financial returns—in short delivering success for our client.
What would you like to accomplish over the next 12 months?
My plan is to continue to grow our tenant representation practice throughout Southern California. I’d like to increase Stream’s brand awareness and recognition. I’m looking forward to helping more companies understand and navigate their corporate real estate needs post COVID. We have such a strong entrepreneurial spirit at Stream; we are flexible in tailoring our offering to each client based on their needs and goals, and we have every conceivable resource at our disposal.
What are the biggest challenges facing in this industry at the moment?
With the high probability of more working from home next year, I think we have the opportunity to help business leaders understand how to gain more flexibility, optionality and cost-efficiency with their real estate; without sacrificing experience, quality or collaboration efforts. I think we’ll see an overall reduction in demand for office space and an increasing supply of new opportunities. This should translate into an advantageous landscape for companies looking to achieve greater flexibility and modify their real estate spend.
In your work are there at any small changes that you or your team have made that had a large and positive result?
Being providers of consistent, meaningful and quality information has delivered value to our clients. Hard work, discipline and over delivery has always been our mantra, which helps with repeat business and client referrals.
Tell me one characteristic you believe that every leader should possess
Empathy.
What is your specific leadership style? I imagine that it would be leading with empathy.
Empathy is included, yes. My leadership style is more informal, it’s laid back with a tendency toward having fun. But I can be very focused and tenacious when needed.
What do you enjoy doing away from work?
I love spending time with my wife and our four children. Recently, my wife and I have started playing pickle ball.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I grew up in Northern California and went snow skiing a lot when I was a kid, so I wanted to become a professional skier.
What are your top three recommendations of things to do where you live?
I live in Costa Mesa just adjacent to Irvine. I’d say go check out the new Orange County Museum of Art, the South Coast Repertory Theater and third would be to visit our world-famous mall called South Coast Plaza—if you’re in the mood for high-end shopping.
What does success look like to you?
Being able to be peaceful with where you are instead of focusing on where you’d rather be, so that you can be happy in the present. Being present whether at work or with friends, or with family, in my mind is one of the best definitions of success. And being able to see problems as a potential source of opportunity to practice and learn.