Get to know Young Memphis Honoree Caleb Park, Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Advisors and Greater Memphis chamber 2019 Young Memphis Honoree.
What event or accomplishment has been the most impactful for your career so far?
The opportunity to partner with Indigo Ag on their real estate and ultimate decision to locate their North American Commercial Headquarters in Downtown.
What motivates you to be active in your community or profession?
Ability to see results and move the needle towards a better Memphis. This is the same answer for both the community and my profession. In the community, people are so hungry for change. When I put myself out there, and offer up help, it is welcomed with open arms. This is one of the things that attracted me to Commercial Advisors. The team here is intensely involved in the community. Our firm promotes and supports this involvement in any way they can. Being involved in different CRE organizations such as MAAR or SIOR allows me to stay in the know and interact with the other practitioners. As a Commercial Real Estate broker, we work with companies and organizations every day who are eager to receive the knowledge and expertise our firm offers.
What does “being a young professional in Memphis” mean to you?
It means opportunity AND responsibility. There are a lot of opportunities for success in any field you are in. There is also a lot of responsibility to help further progress and growth in our city. Memphis is blessed to have a long list of strong leaders. As young professionals, we are the torch bearers of this leadership and must be involved now so we can to continue leading a strong Memphis into the future.
What do you like about living in Memphis?
I am a big fan of good Food, Patios and entertainment. Memphis offers all of these things. Also, the limited traffic and the ability to get around town so quick are two things I love. Memphis is a melting pot of people and cultures. The city reflects that and celebrates that well. My wife, Morgan and I are big fans of Hueys, Grey Canary, McEwen’s, City Silo, and anywhere with a good Guac, ground-beef soft taco and frozen Margarita. Making myself hungry….
What advice do you have for new young professionals interested in starting or building their career in Memphis?
Get involved and be intentional with what you get involved in. Don’t get involved simply to be a consumer. Get involved in places you can GIVE and I 100% guarantee you will be rewarded. Say yes to everything you can, but know when it’s time to say no. Say Yes to opportunities to get involved and use the opportunities to see where you are best suited. Then begin to say no to things so you can focus.
Who do you most admire and why?
My dad, Taylor Park. He is the Executive Pastor of First Evangelical Church here in Memphis. He has been there for almost 30 years and I can’t even begin to explain or express the impact has had on scores of people throughout this city. He has such a heart for people and the struggles we all have. He’s one of the hardest workers I know which he had to be for He and my mom to raised 6 kids. With first-hand experience I can say that we didn’t make it very easy.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself in Memphis but don’t know what that looks like because Memphis is not going to look the same in 10 years. We will have an even more booming downtown, we will be a globally recognized Agribusiness Hub, and folks from around the country will be looking to us for guidance on solving super tough issues such as Diversity, Crime and Education.
What’s your favorite thing about being a young professional in Memphis?
The opportunities available as well as the exposure and connectivity with the top business leaders in our city. The ability to learn from others successes/failures is invaluable. The leaders in Memphis make themselves available and see out opportunities to mentor and teach. This is something I cherish.
Interested in getting plugged in? Learn more about the Chamber's Soundcheck Young Professionals Council here.
