Harley Rouda will speak at Real Estate Connect in San Francisco, July 28-30.
Harley Rouda Jr. is one busy executive. His 2004 New Year’s resolution was to “slow down,” but he told Inman News his effort to keep that resolution is “not going so well.”
The CEO and managing partner of Real Living, the largest residential real estate firm in the Midwest and one of the largest in the nation, is also CEO and general counsel of HER Real Living, the firm’s Columbus operations. Rouda spearheaded the creation of Real Living in February 2002, when HER Realtors of Greater Columbus, Huff Realty of Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky and Realty One of Northern Ohio united under one banner.
But that’s not all. Rouda serves or has served on the board of directors of a long list of community organizations: the Columbus Theatrical Association, Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Commission March of Dimes, Prevent Blindness, Mid-Ohio FoodBank, Columbus Area Leadership Program, Ballet Met, St. John’s Church, Upper Arlington Civic Association, Southern Theatre Restoration, COSI (Center of Science and Industry), Columbus Chamber of Commerce, World of Children, The Fisher College/The Ohio State University and Capital University Law School.
Prior to his career in real estate, he worked for the national law firm of Porter, Wright, Morris and Arthur as an attorney specializing in capital formation, securities work and intellectual property.
He received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in June 2002, in recognition of his industry leadership, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.
Here are his answers to some queries from Inman News:
IN: What are your current or childhood nicknames?
HR: “Dr. Rou” from college
IN: Which daily newspaper do you read and which section do you read first?
HR: I don’t usually read the daily paper, but if I do, I go to the sports page.
IN: What is the most unusual thing you’ve ever packet in a suitcase?
HR: Snake bite anti-venom for a trip to the jungles of Belize with my oldest son.
IN: What kind of music do you listen to?
HR: Rock ‘n Roll, New Age, Jazz, Pop, Hip-hop, Rap, R&B/Soul
IN: What style of home do you live in and when did you buy it?
HR: A historic district home in Old Arlington in Columbus. We bought it in
1997.
IN: What personal accomplishment in your life are you most proud of?
HR: It’s not a personal achievement, but my wife and kids.
IN: How many e-mail addresses do you have?
HR: Two
IN: What worries keep you awake at night?
HR: Which night?!
IN: What is your favorite technology?
HR: Verizon Aircard, so I can stay connected to the World Wide Web via notebook computer
IN: What is your opinion of Inman News?
HR: A leader and an innovator.
IN: What was the best gift you ever received from or gave to someone else?
HR: My wife Kaira saying “yes” when I proposed.
IN: Are you a morning person or a night owl?
HR: I used to be a morning person, then I met my wife and became a night owl. Then we had kids and now we’re both morning people and night owls!
IN: What is your worst vice or bad habit?
HR: Golf because it’s a vice and I’m bad at it!
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