From a 1-room space to 8 MSF and $2B in transactions in the Valley, GPE Companies has  come a long way.

As it celebrates its 40th year of business in Arizona, GPE has seen numerous changes in the Valley. In Scottsdale, where the business was started in 1973, the population was approximately 60,000 people, Shea Boulevard was considered the beginning of Scottsdale, and Scottsdale Road was nearly deserted by 9 p.m.

“To set up our first office, we forced our son, David, out of his room and into sharing a room with his brother,” recalls Ron Genovese, Founder of GPE Companies.

The leading industries in Metro Phoenix at that time were service-oriented, as was GPE’s initial venture as a building maintenance business called Greater Phoenix Enterprises. Through hard work and some luck, Ron Genovese and his small team steadily grew their business maintaining retail, office and medical buildings.

At the request of a client in 1982, GPE took on the property management of a single office building which opened a significant door for the firm. A need became apparent for better management for medical office buildings, and GPE became the experts in this niche market.

“As management and the business grew, it became apparent that it would be advantageous to start our own sales and leasing division. In 1988, the brokerage started with one employee and two agents,” Genovese said.

Today GPE Companies is made up of GPE Commercial Advisors, LLC and GPE Management Services, LLC and now services all aspects of commercial real estate.

After gaining experience and working in the firm for more than 20 years; David Genovese, (Ron’s son) became president of GPE companies in 2008. Ron Genovese recalls David saying, “‘Now that I am taking your corner office, we are even for when you put me out of my bedroom in 1973.’”

The company now has more than 40 employees and agents who play an important role in the Arizona commercial real estate market. To date, GPE has facilitated acquisitions and sales transactions exceeding $2B in real estate value.

GPE’s awards include 2012 Ranking Arizona No. 1 commercial real estate company and GPE Management Services among the top 10 property management companies. GPE has also been named a Top Leasing Firm by CoStar Power Broker Awards.

Julie Johnson, Executive Vice President, is regularly quoted in AZRE magazine and has appeared in People to Know numerous times.