LOS ANGELES—If you think producing new and thought provoking research for commercial real estate brokers and executives across the US is a daunting task, try climbing some of the world's death-defying mountains.
Aaron Ahlburn is based in the Los Angeles office of JLL and is the director of research for the industrial and retail sectors for JLL in the Americas. He helps prepare in-depth, customized research on market trends and forecasts, strategic and competitive analyses, consumer demand studies, economic updates and projections, demographic and industry studies, among other types of thought leadership and white papers.
He joined the firm in 2008 as head of industrial research following JLL's merger with The Staubach Co, and later took on the position of Head of Retail Research for JLL's US operations.
What you may not know about Ahlburn, is that he has a desire to hike to exotic places in his spare time, something he says helps him in his day to day job.
“I haven't done Whitney yet, but it's on the list,” Ahlburn tells GlobeSt.com. “I've always enjoyed hiking and camping—but some of these trips have also a desire to go somewhere 'exotic,' places a little more off the beaten path—and where other, likeminded people would want to travel.
Ahlburn has traveled to Belize many times and done some hiking and caving, but his first trip of this series was in the Himilayas—to the Annapurna circuit in 2008. He has also been to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, the Chomolhari route in Bhutan and throughout Colorado modestically, among others. He hopes to hike Mont Blanc next year—his first in Europe.
The preparation is a few months—both to be fit and also to take care of all the necessary arrangements. As for why he does it? He tells GlobeSt.com that it is for the physical and mental challenge, the people you meet along the way, and experiencing the beauty of the outdoors.
Some of the similarities between his role in commercial real estate and hiking, he says, are the need for teamwork, being able to rely on your teammates, and helping them when needed.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
