With a bright and sunny second quarter underway, The ABC’s of Ackerman caught up with Building Engineer at Stone Mountain Industrial Park, Leonard Tate. He has some free time to discuss his work and life with us. Take some time to get to know another great member of our Ackerman & Co. team!
A. What brought you to Ackerman & Co. and how long have you been here?
I wanted to expand my horizons. I felt like Ackerman & Co. was one of the places that I would challenge my knowledge and abilities. I have been here for nearly 11 years.
B. Can you tell us a little about what you do at Ackerman & Co.?
As a building engineer, I do a bit of everything. Everything from lighting, plumbing, air conditioning and more.
C. What is the best part of working at Ackerman & Co. and what makes Ackerman such a great organization?
I enjoy meeting new tenants from a wide variety of companies and seeing their smiles. Every day brings a new challenge. Ackerman is a great organization because the whole team collaborates well. Everyone has a great knowledge and understanding of commercial real estate.
D. What advice do you have for someone trying to break into your field?
You need to be committed to this field. It requires hard work and dedication.
E. What are your goals at Ackerman moving forward?
I would like become chief engineer and manage my own buildings.
F. What lessons has your work life taught you?
Be able to do your job so well that no one else can do it better.
Let’s get away from work and get personal!
G. How would you describe yourself?
I’m an 80/20. 80% is great and the other 20% is a working process.
H. What about some of your hobbies? Do you have any cool hobbies?
I love playing basketball. I like playing horseshoes because this is the only thing that you can win by being close!
I. What’s something that surprises people about you?
I originally set out to fly a plane and be a pilot. That is what I did while I was in the service. I flew planes and was a parachute jumper.
J. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Sweet potato pie and butter pecan ice cream.
K. What’s one thing on your bucket list that you can share with us?
One of the big ideas on my bucket list is to work to pay my church mortgage and help the church elders.
L. Who has been the most important person in your life? Can you tell me about him or her?
God, my wife, and my children they are the reason I get up every day and work hard.
M. If you could have lunch with a U.S. president or someone famous, who would it be and why?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or President Obama.
N. Same question, only a little different. If you could interview anyone from your life living or dead, but not a celebrity, who would it be and why?
My mother. She raised me and made me into the man I am today.