The Closing: Russell Morris Flicker
President of development for Boca Raton-based LXR Luxury Resorts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackstone Real Estate Advisors, since 2005. Responsible for overseeing design, construction, marketing and sales of over 12 of the firm's projects in Florida, California, Colorado, New York and Puerto Rico. Former executive vice president of the Trump Organization. Attorney and college professor.
What is your full name?
Russell Morris Flicker.
What is your birth date?
January 31, 1972.
Where did you grow up?
Long Island, N.Y.
Where do you live?
Parkland.
Do you have any other homes?
No.
What does your wife do?
She stays home with the kids. She's an ex-CPA.
Do you have children?
Yes, I have two young kids. My daughter Molly is four, and my son Ben is about to turn two.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
My dad was a professor of electrical engineering for 45 years, and my mom was a nurse. They basically wanted me to be an engineer or doctor. I said I couldn't do that — I guess it was my rebellion. I was looking at other things, and I think business always appealed to me.
How much money do you have in your wallet right now?
$60. I travel with very little cash because everyone takes credit cards. I travel quite a bit, and keeping track of my expenses is much easier with a credit card.
What was the first job you ever had?
I went right from law school to a big law firm in New York. [Flicker was a real estate attorney at Willkie, Farr Gallagher.]
So how did you segue from law to real estate?
I was introduced to my wife when she was a practicing CPA. I started a company, and she became my partner. She quit the accounting firm; I quit the law firm; we raised some money and started a consulting firm for retail real estate.
What is something that people don't know about you?
That I miss my wife and kids every day I go to work.
What's the best piece of advice you ever received?
Stay focused on the task at hand. We're dealing with so many different things getting thrown at us, and sometimes you can get overwhelmed, simply by the mass of information.
Do you watch television?
A little bit. I'm a bit of a news junkie, so I watch Fox News. I also like some fiction and sitcoms. I love "House."
What is your favorite restaurant?
The Addison in Boca Raton.
What kind of car do you drive?
A Porsche Boxster.
What one word would you use to describe yourself?
Intense.
What one word would other people use to describe you?
Relentless.
What publications do you read regularly?
The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.
What was the last book you read?
I re-read "Atlas Shrugged."
Do you have an iPod?
I do. I have a real eclectic mix on it. I'm a Long Island boy, so I grew up on Billy Joel, but I've got a good mix, and I like jazz.
Do you cook?
I love cooking. I don't get enough time to do it, but I love cooking and baking. I make some great breads and desserts. My wife and I have taken lessons, and it's a lot of fun.
What's your biggest vice?
When I come home, I like to have a martini, and sometimes I'll have a cigar. But I'm trying to stop the cigars.
What's your idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon?
My son sleeping into the 7's would start it off. Then maybe my wife would say, "Go pick up a Starbucks, and read the paper for a half hour." Then we'll play soccer in the backyard. The key is the first part, for sure.
Do you have a hero?
It's going to sound corny, but my mom and dad are my heroes. They essentially focused on my sister's and my happiness and success. I can only hope to emulate that with my kids.
Do you have a pet peeve?
I'm very organized, and I would say that disorganization is very frustrating for me.
In your job, you travel a great deal. Do you have a favorite place to visit?
My wife and I like to get out of Dodge in the summer. This summer we're renting a home in Asheville for August. We do that every summer just to get out of town. London is probably one of my favorite places to be, though, and that might be a standout favorite.
Do you stay at LXR properties when you travel?
I do stay at LXR properties, but sometimes it's nice not to be at a property where you work or that you're associated with.
What do you consider to be your greatest success?
On a professional basis, it would have to be some of the zoning battles I've been successful in winning — working with communities to get large, exciting projects designed and approved in many different cities. I'm most proud of the large retail, hotel and residential building adjacent to the Wrigley Building, on the Chicago River in downtown Chicago. The project required years of planning. It has already changed the skyline and promises to add another anchor to the North Michigan Avenue corridor. On a personal level, it would be finding balance and finding time with my kids. It's an intense world, and everyone expects 24/7/365.
How do you give that while finding the time to spend with the family?
I've been very fortunate, and I think successful.
If you could do it all again, what would you do differently?
I can't complain. I've been very fortunate. I think I got luckier than I realized, being able to go from law and jump into different areas and then working with some great companies and great people. I can't say I would change a thing.
How would you like to be remembered?
This is easy. Both personally and professionally, as devoted.
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