Title: CEO and co-founder
Company: Blake Hunt Ventures
Date: May, 2007

Article About Brad Blake 11/10/08

Business Philosophy

Essential business philosophy: Surround yourself with talented, committed people who you trust and let them achieve.

Best way to keep competitive edge: Read, learn from others successes and mistakes and hang out with people smarter than you.

Guiding principle: Do what you say you are going to do. Never quit.

Yardstick of success: Have business associates respect me, friends admire me and my family love me.

Goal yet to be achieved: To retire from worry, but not from work.

Definition of leadership: Being able to empower others to achieve their goals and to “walk the walk” at all times.

Judgment Calls

Best decision: Applying to Stanford University as a senior in high school.

Best business decision: Joining Spieker Partners in 1987 and starting Blake Hunt Ventures in 2000.

Worst business decision: Investing in an indoor soccer business.

Toughest business decision: Leaving Spieker Properties in 1996.

Biggest missed opportunity: Not buying more shopping centers at the last low valuation point in the mid to late-90’s.

Word that best describes you: Productive, energetic and focused.

True Confessions

Like best about job/business: The people in the real estate industry and the creativity of in-fill development.

Like least about job/business: The inefficiency, expense and politics of the government approval process.

Pet peeve: People who prefer process over results and people who don’t follow-through or communicate in real-time.

Most important business lesson learned: Always have a clear exit strategy and side door available.

Person most interested in meeting: Muhammad Ali

Most respected competitor: All of our competitors who compete with integrity and a passion for what they do while giving back to the community. If I had to name some, they would be the independent, entrepreneurial developers like Deke Hunter and Chris Meany.

Characteristics most admired in others: Integrity and determination.

Three greatest passions: Family, fitness and coaching youth sports

Idea of perfect happiness: Seeing my kids grow up to be happy and successful adults and parents. Being able to do what I want to do, whenever I want to do it, with whomever I want.

First choice for a new career: Pro sports team owner

Predilections

Favorite quote: “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the size of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

Most influential book: The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Favorite causes: “College is Real” at Richmond High School and Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation.

Favorite status symbol: La Jolla beach house

Favorite movie: Caddyshack

Favorite restaurant: George’s at the Cove in La Jolla

Favorite vacation spot: La Jolla and Maui

Favorite way to spend free time: Playing or coaching sports

Automobile: Maserati Quattroporte