Bob Knakal is a name everyone knows in commercial real estate. Since 1984, he’s brokered over 2,399 buildings in the New York City area, with a market value approximating $22 billion. For 26 years, he owned and ran Massey Knakal with a focus on building a culture of servant leadership, training people, and dominating the market. He eventually sold the company to Cushman & Wakefield for $100 million in 2014.

Now, Bob is a prominent thought leader in the commercial real estate business. He writes about the market, appears on podcasts and television, and holds university lectures. Recently, he started the investment sales and capital markets brokerage firm BK Real Estate Advisors, which creates better interpretations from artificial intelligence data to give their clients more options and better results.

Insights from Bob Knakal on Servant Leadership, AI, and the Future of Brokerage

Bob Knakal and his co-founder, Paul Massey, built Massey Knakal Realty Services on the foundation of servant leadership—a management style that led to market dominance and a lasting impact on New York City's real estate industry. Their leadership shaped the firm's success and cultivated a new generation of industry leaders. Today, more than 30 companies or divisions within New York’s investment sales market are owned or run by professionals who got their start at Massey Knakal.

Now, as Chairman and CEO of BKREA, Bob is once again at the forefront of commercial brokerage, pioneering new approaches to investment sales with cutting-edge AI and data-driven strategies.

In this episode of The Dealmakers’ Edge, Aaron Strauss sits down with Bob to discuss his four decades in real estate, the power of servant leadership, and how embracing AI and data interpretation is shaping the future of the industry. Bob also shares invaluable lessons on standing out in a competitive market, developing mental resilience, and setting realistic success benchmarks in brokerage.

2:28 – The most exciting thing about commercial real estate for Bob today
3:47 – How servant leadership fosters a high-performance culture and long-term success
9:49 – The speed, impact, and challenges of integrating AI and data technology in real estate
13:35 – Using social media to share career insights and build a strong professional brand
17:02 – How Bob evolved from traditional brokerage to navigating complex, developer-focused deals
22:58 – The role of mental resilience and understanding realistic success metrics in sales

Mentioned In Servant Leadership, AI, and the Future of Brokerage with Bob Knakal

Bob Knakal | Facebook | Twitter/X | Instagram | YouTube

BRKEA | LinkedIn | Twitter/X

Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership

Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at podcast@aystrauss.com to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.

Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:

• Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
• Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
• Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
• Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)

Jonathan Zamir is the founder and managing partner of real estate investment firm Keystone Equities. Keystone operates as both a private equity and private credit platform and focuses on acquiring, redeveloping, and repositioning commercial and residential properties in key U.S. markets while also originating and managing debt investments. Under Jonathan’s leadership, the firm has grown a diverse portfolio emphasizing value creation through strategic investment, hands-on management, and disciplined financing.

Prior to founding Keystone in 2010, he started his real estate career with The Moinian Group as portfolio manager and gained practical, street smart knowledge in property management and operations. Then he led acquisitions at Infinity Real Estate, a prominent real estate private equity firm that gave him the book smarts to succeed. He also graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from NYU Stern’s School of Business and received a Graduate Certificate in real estate from NYU’s School of Continuing Professional Studies.

Born and raised in New York City, Jonathan resides in Great Neck, Long Island with his wife and their three kids.

Insights from Jonathan Zamir on Building Your Reputation

As Principal of Keystone Equities, Jonathan Zamir leads all major decisions related to deal sourcing, debt financing, co-investment opportunities, and key transactional matters. He also oversees the firm's overall operations while managing the day-to-day responsibilities of running the business.

In this episode of The Dealmakers’ Edge, Aaron Strauss sits down with Jonathan to discuss his journey in commercial real estate, the power of relationship-building, and the importance of authenticity in business. Jonathan shares valuable insights from his early career, detailing his transition from various roles in the industry to establishing his own firm. The conversation explores the challenges of attracting and managing institutional capital, navigating market cycles, and maintaining a strong reputation in an ever-evolving industry.

2:23 – Jonathan’s early career lessons and foundational experiences

7:54 – The importance of financial acumen and business planning before going independent

10:42 – Transitioning to institutional investment and structuring deals to attract capital

17:48 – Challenges in real estate, including deal failures and market shifts

25:11 – Keystone’s current market strategy and competitive advantage in deal execution

29:29 – The role of reputation, vulnerability, and authenticity in building strong business relationships

Mentioned In Reputation and Relationship Building in Commercial Real Estate with Jonathan Zamir

Keystones Equities, LLC | LinkedIn

Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at podcast@aystrauss.com to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.

Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:

• Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
• Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
• Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
• Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)

Garvin Brown recently retired from Brown-Forman Corporation, the company behind Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, founded by his great-great-grandfather in 1870. His career with the company began as a wine salesperson in New York and evolved through various corporate and operational roles. By 2007, Garvin had become chairman, steering the company through key transitions between the fourth and fifth generations of the Brown family.

Currently, Garvin serves on Brown-Forman's family-holding company board and contributes to global initiatives in democracy and development. He is also a board member of Dendrifund, a foundation dedicated to the sustainability of the elements essential to crafting premium bourbon.

In this episode of The Dealmakers’ Edge, Aaron Strauss sits down with Garvin Brown to explore his unique journey and the pivotal role of family governance in sustaining a multi-generational business. They discuss how Brown-Forman balances innovation with tradition, the company’s marketing and brand strategies, and the importance of financial discipline. Garvin also shares insights into navigating the challenges of leadership, managing stress, and building trust with stakeholders. Additionally, they delve into his philanthropic pursuits and his passion for community impact.

1:27 – Garvin’s bicultural background and career journey at Brown-Forman

5:06 – The economics of family businesses and surviving Prohibition

8:42 – Non-family CEOs and the evolution of Brown-Forman’s governance model

13:52 – Leveraging marketing, branding, and innovation to drive financial success

20:59 – Managing stress, overcoming challenges, and fostering trust in leadership

26:27 – Philanthropy and Garvin’s dedication to sustainability and community impact

Mentioned In Leadership and Governance in a Multi-Generational Business with Garvin Brown

Brown-Forman

Headspace

Dendrifund

Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at podcast@aystrauss.com to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.

Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:

• Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
• Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
• Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
• Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)