On Brandy Braveboy’s last day as a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, she flew over the Valley with a pilot in an F-16 fighter jet to commemorate her retirement from active duty service.
Flying out of Luke Air Force Base, they winged their way over the West Valley. Braveboy surveyed what laid below from new heights, wondering what it offered now that her career in the Air Force was over.
“What an experience it was to see such a wide-open expanse,” Braveboy said. “I thought to myself, ‘That’s where my next opportunity lies, right there in the West Valley.’”
Through the Department of Defense Skill-Bridge program and Phoenix West Commercial, Braveboy is getting that opportunity as a commercial real estate agent.
Skill-Bridge is a program that establishes training avenues for local military veterans with their career transitions. It helps them to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships or internships during the last 180 days of service. Skill-Bridge connects service members with industry partners in real-world job experiences and provides service members an invaluable chance to work and learn in civilian career areas.
“There is so much potential in the West Valley commercial real estate market now,” said Bobbie Mastracci, CCIM, SIOR, Designated Broker/Principal of Phoenix West Commercial. “I’m thrilled to support the Skill-Bridge program and to have Brandy joining us as an agent. There are great opportunities for her and other veterans to learn and succeed in this industry.
“With so many changes related to the recent pandemic, this also creates opportunities for real estate firms in our industry to grow and find ways to help fellow members of our community, and especially our service men and women, who have honorably served our country,” Mastracci said.
Mastracci established a connection with the Department of Defense, starting with Luke Air Force Base. She developed an innovative training program that includes commercial real estate buyer/seller and tenant/landlord representation, investments, leasing and sales training for transitioning military members.
Phoenix West Commercial also incorporated associated research platforms such as CoStar within its training program to ensure quality training towards a successful career in commercial real estate.
Mastracci said leadership and mentoring are two pillars upon which her firm is built. Phoenix West Commercial has established a strong leadership role as a commercial real estate company in the West Valley, and Mastracci has personally focused on that submarket as her area of expertise since 2006.
“We could not be more excited about the opportunity to assist Brandy with her transition into the industry,” Mastracci said.
A native of Tempe, Braveboy spent 20 years in the military; more than 8 years of service overseas. She said her interest in commercial real estate was piqued during a flight home to visit family when she caught a glimpse of the view over Tempe Town Lake.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. A long time ago Tempe Town Lake was a run-down area,” she recalled. “Now it’s an amazing area of the Valley with so many community features. There was even a magazine in my airplane with an article on how Tempe Town Lake is now an attractive submarket for commercial development. I hardly recognized it,” Braveboy said.
Over the years Braveboy’s interest and desire to transition into the commercial real estate industry have increased while following the Valley market from overseas and various duty locations. With a strong love for her community, Braveboy is now a resident of Buckeye and eager to contribute her passion and dedication towards commercial real estate growth in the West Valley. Her first day at Phoenix West Commercial was June 1.
“The Skill-Bridge program provided a list of several businesses that love to support the veterans,” she said, “but I didn’t see anyone from the commercial real estate industry on the list. Living in the West Valley, I knew Phoenix West Commercial was the No. 1 firm, and I knew Bobbie Mastracci had a great reputation. I told myself, ‘that’s where I want to be.’ I want to prove myself and my work ethic not only through my service to my country, but towards my community right here in the Valley as well.”
