Claude J. Gardner Sr., PA, CCIM
Prudential Commercial Real Estate, DB

Experience

For 29 years licensed broker Claude Gardner has owned and managed real estate companies in Duval, Marion, Seminole, Flagler and Volusia counties. Claude was the Eastern U. S. Manager of commercial real estate with Prudential Commercial Services from 1989 to 1996.

In 1996 Claude founded Prudential’s Commercial Services Network assuming national responsibility for the growth and servicing of the national network of leading commercial real estate companies throughout North America.

Education
Claude holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree with a major in real estate and land economics from the University of North Florida. Additionally, Claude has achieved one of the commercial real estate industry’s most coveted and respected designations, the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) of the National Association of Realtors.

Military Service

From December, 1967 until September, 1971 Claude was a Quartermaster (Navigation) aboard two United State aircraft carriers, the USS Essex and the USS Saratoga. Among his other navigational duties he also soon achieved status as “Master Helmsman” on both warships. In that position he was responsible for steering the ships during special sea operations such as refueling and leaving and returning to port.

Professional Achievements

Claude’s founding of Prudential’s nationwide commercial network in 1995 included the creation of all operations, training and marketing materials. His innovation and business leadership in this venture took the network to registered status with the International Standardization Organization’s reputable ISO 9000 quality assurance standard– one of the highest quality assurance standards attainable.

Upon retirement from Prudential, Claude took over management of Prudential Commercial Real Estate which at that time had an annual gross commission income (GCI) of $400,000.

He increased the GCI to $900,000 within his first year of leading the company. Within just a few years this number would increase to $3 million and ultimately $5 million in GCI under Claude’s leadership.

The company has consistently ranked as one of the top commercial real estate operations for Prudential nationwide, and has been No. 1 in the Southeast numerous times and the number one Affiliate in the nation in 2006.

In 2006, Prudential Commercial expanded to include an operation in Palm Coast. Additionally, Claude launched two new company divisions, Property Management and Business Brokerage. Within two months, the Property Management division represented 100,000 square feet of commercial property management, and the brokerage division had several contracts in hand.

Awards

Prudential Financials “National Chairman’s Award for Innovation” given in 2000 by the Corporate Operation and Systems Group for the Prudential/CB Richard Ellis Alliance; Prudential APEX award winner for demonstrating Learning, Leadership, and Innovation in the company’s core values.

Personal Achievements

Claude mentoring of colleagues and family is one of his proudest achievements. Claude’s family includes wife, Arlene; son Claude Jr. ( A Commercial Real Estate Broker and Prudential Franchise owner in the FL. Keys), grandchildren Emily, 9, and Kelly, 5; and son Mark (Manager of Technology for Monroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida).

Claude is a championship level target archery participant and additional extracurricular interests include wood and leather carving and RV camping with his family and friends.

Community Activities

Claude is a past Director of the community’s annual Margarita Ball celebration – the Daytona Beach social event of the year. But Claude has many more community responsibilities, including past Directorship (3 year term)of the new Central Florida Commercial Association of Realtors (CFCAR) where he lead efforts of peer networking, marketing and best-practice sharing.

Philanthropy

Claude donates both time and funds to local and national charity efforts. The company’s significant contributions include donation of more than $100,000 to local charities, including Kiwanis, the Margarita Ball and youth basketball. In 2008 he assumed a position of Director for Operation Home Front, a national charity assisting wounded veterans on their return home.

Proud Moments

Claude cites his work on one recent commercial project as an example of how his professional role can make a difference in people’s lives. A client was in danger of bankruptcy and closing doors to his business, and, with a timeframe of only two weeks, Claude worked diligently to find a buyer for this client’s property. The client avoided bankruptcy with the help of Claude’s persistence, integrity and skills packaging and selling this client’s business.

Claude’s proudest moments also include achieving the CCIM designation and authoring a best practices business text, The Advantage in Real Estate Sales, published by Southwestern Publishing in 1982. Finally, on both a professional and personal level, Claude believes in the importance of mentoring others and guiding them in the skills required to face business challenges.

Motto

Staff members at Prudential Commercial Real Estate are familiar with Claude’s professional and personal motto: “Keep kicking for the finish line – your competitors are just as tired as you are, and that last sprint will win the race.”