Real estate expertise flows through the veins of Edward St. John.
The 68-year-old Baltimore native loves real estate ? from the thrill of finding that prime development site at below-market cost, to constructing just the right building and quickly getting tenants so he can move onto the next project.
As president and chief executive officer of St. John Properties, his real estate roots go back to the family business, which included real estate and also the manufacturing of business materials.
“I disliked the manufacturing side,” he said as he sipped coffee in the boardroom of his company?s Baltimore County headquarters.
“I felt like you are always selling the product and it was constantly sell.”
St. John founded his business in 1971. Under his leadership, the company has developed, constructed and maintained ownership of more than 11 million square feet of office, industrial and retail space nationwide.
“I love what I do,” he said.
St. John Properties has more than 1,500 tenants in Maryland, Colorado, Wisconsin, Virginia and Louisiana. St. John has also developed residential projects and currently owns 2,200 apartments.
In Maryland, his company has projects in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, Baltimore City, Frederick County and Prince George?s County.
The company?s current jewel is a 513,000-square-foot flexible office and retail complex called the Maryland Science & Technology Center located at Route 50 and Route 301 in Bowie, Md.
A fitness fanatic, St. John looks much younger than his 68 years, thanks to a commitment to exercise. He installed a huge multi-equipment exercise room for employees at the company headquarters. They can also get regular visits from a physical therapist while at work.
“Ed is a very intense guy,” says Philip Ratcliff, head of Maryland Management, a real estate management company. Ratcliff has known St. John for 40 years.
“He is very intelligent, very hardworking and as straight as a dime.”
Longtime friend William Utz, head of Utz Construction Company said he was intimidated by St. John when he first met him.
“But as I got to know him I found him to be a great guy,” Utz said.
“He is always the person, if you are involved in a deal, who will do his due diligence,” Utz said.
“He brings a lot of enthusiasm to what he does.”
EDWARD ST. JOHN
» First job: Outside rep Family Finance
» Education: B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland
» Best job perk: Corporate jet
» Number e-mails daily: 80 to 90
» Essential Web sites: Weather.com and Mapquest.com
» Career objective: To build the leading real estate development company in the region
» Favorite gadgets: Cell phone and Palm Pilot
» Birthplace: Baltimore
» Birthdate: Feb.17, 1938
» Original aspiration: Test pilot in the U.S. Air Force
» Sports/hobbies: Skiing, boating, fitness training, golfing
