KENT M.

FLAKE
3737 E. Decatur St. Phone: 480-202-1669
Mesa, Arizona 85205 E-Mail: kf64e90e@westpost.net
REAL ESTATE EXECUTIVE
Competent, organized, intelligent real estate professional with more than 25 yea
rs of experience in real estate brokerage, acquisition, development, and apprais
al seeks a director level position in the real estate department of a progressiv
e, fast-growing company. Effectively managed multi-million dollar projects in c
ommercial and residential development. Adept at forging strong relationships wi
th both internal and external customers. Strong oral and written communication
skills for effective team-building and project management.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
WEST-STATES STORAGE GROUP, LLC, Mesa, Arizona 2007-Current
Self-owned consulting and development company
President and Owner
Pursued acquisition of property suitable for self-storage development in Alberta
and Saskatchewan provinces of Canada. Completed comprehensive study of the wes
tern Canada market to assess development opportunities. Pursuing equity partner
for storage investment in the Southwestern United States.
SURE STORAGE USA, INC., Scottsdale, Arizona 2008-2010
Self-storage acquisition and management company
Chief Operating Officer
Pursued acquisition of self-storage properties in western United States. Develo
ped underwriting criteria for purchase of storage properties and performed all u
nderwriting functions. Directed all acquisition activities including market res
earch, contract negotiation, due diligence investigation, etc. in regards to sto
rage acquisitions.
K. HOVNANIAN HOMES, Mesa, Arizona 2005-2007
A Fortune 500 Company and the nation's 6th largest home builder
Regional Director of Land Planning and Development
Managed all activities of the 12 member land team for the Phoenix/Tucson Region
of K. Hovnanian Homes. Restructured a disjointed and dysfunctional land team in
to a model department for the region. Re-established trust with internal and ex
ternal customers. Managed annual land budget of more than $100 million, includi
ng acquisition, entitlement, and development activities. Selected achievements i
nclude:
* Developed and managed storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) program, a
chieving over 95% corporate audit compliance, with zero ADEQ storm water violati
ons.
* Initiated and led the efforts to reduce development costs through the rebiddin
g process, saving from 5% to 20% on disciplines that were rebid.
* Directed two land development teams including budgeting, bidding, and on-site
project management.
6K CONSULTANTS, LLC, Mesa, Arizona 2004 - 2005
Privately owned consulting company
Storm Water Consultant
Developed template for Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) as mandate
d by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by the Arizona D
epartment of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Completed more than 60 SWPPP reports
for home builders in compliance with EPA and ADEQ guidelines.
KENT FLAKE Page 2
SAFEGUARD SELF STORAGE, Metairie, Louisiana 1999 - 2004
Privately owned regional self-storage developer, owner, and operator.
Director of Investments
Performed and directed all activities in locating, negotiating, purchasing, and
entitling sites for development of commercial self-storage facilities in keeping
with the business plan. Prepared detailed feasibility analysis for review by c
orporate investment team and financial partners regarding each investment opport
unity. Supervised development and construction activities through occupancy per
mit and takeover by operations group. Had complete responsibility for financial
success of selected storage projects.
* Supervised the investment of more than $40 million in storage projects.
* Completed 100% of storage projects under budget.
* Achieved 100% success rate in entitlement of selected storage sites in competi
tive markets and difficult jurisdictions in the Chicago metropolitan area.
* Redesigned unit mix layouts, improving usable space efficiency by 2.0% to 2.5%
, resulting in a per project increase in capitalized value of $250,000 to $350,0
00.
SHURGARD SELF STORAGE, Seattle, Washington 1996 - 1999
A self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) traded on NYSE, acquired by P
ublic Storage in 2006.
Regional Development Manager
Began as real-estate coordinator in the Phoenix office as a subsidiary of the Da
llas, Texas office. Located and analyzed suitable sites for development of self
-storage in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. Rapidly promoted to Regio
nal Development Manager, managing all investment activities in the Phoenix and T
ucson metro areas. Activities included locating, negotiating, purchasing, entit
ling, and constructing self-storage facilities in prime locations which met Shur
gard's development criteria. Performed feasibility analysis, prepared investmen
t packages, and made oral presentations to the corporate land committee.
* Worked on various phases of twelve, multi-million dollar storage projects in P
hoenix and Tucson, Arizona and Detroit, Michigan.
* Managed satellite development office in Phoenix area.
* Developed and constructed facility in Arizona to serve as regional office and
national call center.
WEST-STATES APPRAISAL COMPANY, Gilbert, Arizona 1982 - 1996
A privately owned appraisal company specializing in rural properties in Arizona.
Partner and Appraiser
Specialized in the appraisal of farms, ranches, and other rural and agricultural
properties throughout Arizona. The narrative appraisals were used for a variet
y of purposes including financing, estate planning, estate settlement, condemnat
ion, and purchase & sale decisions. Became licensed in 1991 as a state Certifie
d General Real Estate Appraisal, able to perform appraisals on all types of real
property, and held the license until 2006.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science Degree, Real Estate
Arizona State University -Tempe, Arizona
Summa cum laude
CREDENTIALS
Licensed Real Estate Broker in State of Arizona