Cover Story

A R I Z O N A ’ S P U B L I C A T I O N F O R T H E C O M M E R C I A L R E A L E S T A T E I N D U S T R Y

SharonHarperPlaza Companies

Brokers of the MonthCharles Miscio

Keith Lambeth and Todd Noel, CCIM

Colliers International

Company Profile

Daniel PollackPollack Investments

Rookie Profile

Robbie PettySRS Real Estate Partners

Executive Q&AEnsemble DevMan of Arizona

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Cover Story

By Debra Gelbart

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Cover Story

The Mankato, Minnesota native is afounder and president/chief executiveofficer of the phenomenally successful

real estate development, investment and man-agement firm, Plaza Companies. She is com-mitted and highly regarded in the communityfor her leadership on boards, organizationsand with government and municipal entities.She has five grown children who are all pro-fessionally successful. She and her familytraveled around the country campaigning forJohn McCain when he ran for President in2008.In a nice blending of family lore and elec-

tion enthusiasm, her son Michael met his newwife Ashley on the campaign trail. “All of ourchildren had roles in the presidential cam-paign,” Sharon said. “Michael was working asan attorney for the campaign in WashingtonD.C. and met Ashley who was heading up thecampaign’s volunteer program there. As afamily, we traveled and worked in many statesin the country to help campaign for SenatorMcCain. We have known the McCains for 25

years and believe in John’s tremendous lead-ership.” Significant behind-the-scenes campaign

events took place at the Harpers’ Oak CreekRanch, including broadcasting with KatieCouric, George Stephanopoulous, Mary Hartand many other leading print and media jour-nalists. Many of the potential Vice Presidentialcandidates and national leaders from politicsand business enjoyed weekends at the ranch.It is a fascinating fact that Sarah Palin re-hearsed for her vice presidential debate atthe ranch as well. In the 2008 election, Sharonalso was a Presidential Elector whose officialvote helped give Arizona’s 10 electoral votesto McCain.The McCain and Harper families’ children

grew up together. Today, Sharon’s daughterChristy owns a catering business. DaughterLise is a physician; son Joe helps to lead ahedge fund in Latin America. Son Michaelpractices law in San Francisco; and nieceShannon, who was raised in the Harperhome, works for a Denver family-owned firm.

Sharon HarperDevoted to Family, Innovation, Business

Sharon Harper is best known for being a leader in commercial real estate inArizona. But she is also heralded for her community involvement and philanthropy,commitment to family and high-profile political associations.

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“The biggest focus of my life is my fam-ily,” Sharon said.She acknowledges that that might

surprise some people, given the profes-sional success she has enjoyed over theyears. Plaza Companies was launched in1982, initially with a focus on medicaloffice buildings. “We created a uniqueprogram for physician tenants to be-come investors,” she explained. “Thefirst projects in Peoria were very suc-cessful.” Since then, the company hasdeveloped Paradise Valley MedicalPlaza, Banner Estrella Medical Plazaand many other medical facilitiesthroughout Arizona. Her husband,Oliver, is a family practice and geriatricphysician, co-founder of the ArizonaMedical Clinic and an inspiration toSharon in her professional career.“Sharon Harper’s vision of medical of-

fice building development is one fo-cused on the market needs of localcommunities coupled with an intenseunderstanding of the physician practiceenvironment,” said Peter Fine, presidentand CEO of Banner Health. “Her firm’sfocus is on the critical relationship be-tween the goals of the local hospital andthe business requirements of the physi-cians. The company’s expertise is find-ing and focusing on solutions at thatvery important intersection. Her firm’sintimate understanding of the businessgoals of all parties and the ability tocome up with creative solutions in de-veloping lease arrangements, coupledwith effective financing, is a hallmark ofthe company’s success. Sharon has beena leader for decades in the developmentof facilities that advance the availabilityof physician services and hospital out-patient services in order to meet the

needs of the public.”About three years after its beginning,

Plaza Companies branched out to seniorhousing. “It is partially a matter of de-mographics and macroeconomics,”Sharon said. “Today there are 37 millionAmericans over age 65. In less than 10years, there will be 65 millionAmericans in that age group. Less than10 years after that, there will be 75 mil-lion in that demographic. Additionally,the expectations and needs of this groupcontinually change.”Around 1985, Plaza Companies deter-

mined that the interests and needs ofthe aging population were no longerbeing met through traditional types ofhousing so Plaza pioneered many differ-ent product types, including the first for-profit continuing care campus andfacilities with a memory support pro-gram. Today, some of the most notablehigh-end senior living campuses inArizona have been developed by Plaza

Companies, including Vi at Grayhawkand Vi at Silverstone (both formerlycalled Classic Residence by Hyatt andThe Plaza Companies) and Splendido atRancho Vistoso. “These communitieshave set a new standard in this industrythroughout the U.S.,” Sharon said.In 2005, at a company retreat, the de-

cision was made to expand PlazaCompanies’ focus again to include bio-science and biotechnology facilities. “Ilove being part of putting complex ideastogether and seeing a way to makesomething successful,” Sharon said.Plaza Companies became the co-devel-oper of a first-of-its-kind project calledSkySong, in partnership with ASUFoundation, the City of Scottsdale andinsurance giant USAA. SkySong Center is located at the inter-

section of Scottsdale and McDowellRoads and is a mixed-use project thatwill feature 1.2 million square feet of of-fice, research, retail and a hotel/confer-

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Cover Story

Oliver and Sharon Harper with Michael, Ashley, Shannon, Christy, Lise, Joe and various pets.

SkySong shade structure, Scottsdale Paradise Valley Medical Plaza, Phoenix

What is Sharon’s advice for youngpeople who want to pursue a careerin commercial real estate?

“Never forget your own core valuesas you go into business. Hard work,loyalty and accountability will alwaysserve you well.”

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Facts about The Plaza Companies:� Focuses on developing and managing medical

office projects, senior living projects and biotech facilities

� Founded in 1982

� Total number of properties currently developed,owned or managed: 79

� Total square footage of properties currentlyowned, leased or managed: 5,169,314 square feet

� Largest project by square footage: Vi atSilverstone (high-end senior living)… 735,650square feet; opened in 2010; total cost ofproject: $230 million.

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ence center at full build-out. “It’s one ofthe most innovative and robust plat-forms in the world,” Sharon said. “Michael Crow, president of ASU, envi-sioned a center for global businessesand new technologies, attracting askilled workforce for the 21st century.”The slumping economy of the past

two and a-half years did not leave hercompany unscathed, Sharon said. “Theeconomy has impacted every businessin the U.S.” she said. “The decline in realestate values has impacted our tenants,senior housing residents, our employ-ees, municipalities and the State ofArizona.” The company responded to the econ-

omy by redoubling its efforts. “We arefocused on making the tenant experi-ence exceptional,” Sharon said, “onethat really works for each of them. Weare also making sure that our assets arewell-managed and organized and thatour properties are maintaining theirvalue. We continue to treasure and de-velop our strategic partnerships, includ-ing Healthcare Trust of America, USAAand Healthcare Realty Services, Inc.and continue to be competitive and in-novative with development projects.”“Sharon Harper serves as a model for

what a corporate executive should be,”said Robert Delgado, CEO of theHensley Beverage Company. “She is theconsummate professional---intuitive, al-ways prepared and willing to leadthrough example. What I admire mostabout Sharon, however, is her willing-ness to dedicate her extensive profes-

sional skills to the betterment of ourcommunity, in ways too numerous tomention. Her mark is everywhere, dueto a tireless work ethic coupled with agenuine concern for the future.”Sharon did not always intend to be a

real estate developer. She graduatedfrom Creighton University in Omahawith a journalism degree. “I got in-volved initially in real estate in 1980when I saw opportunities in the market-place,” she said. “All success stories areabout understanding a need, resolvingchallenges and coming up with an inno-vative solution – that is how I began andcontinue my career in real estate.”Her successes have caught the atten-

tion of organizations that honor leadersin the community and in the nation. In2009, Sharon was named DistinguishedWoman Honoree by NorthwoodUniversity and was listed among theMost Admired CEOs and Top LevelExecutives by the Phoenix Business

Journal. She won the 2008 Good ScoutLeadership Award from the GrandCanyon Council of the Boy Scouts ofAmerica. In 2007, Plaza Companies wasnamed one of the Best Places to Workby the Phoenix Business Journal. In2007 Sharon received the Sandra Dayand John O’Connor Award for outstand-ing community service and in 2006, shewas honored by Creighton University asa recipient of their Alumni AchievementCitation. In addition, she won the inau-gural Athena Award from the ArizonaChamber of Commerce in 1994.

Her company has continued to ex-pand over the years, but Sharon stillmanages to find time for extensive com-munity involvement. She is a trustee forthe Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust,board member for the ArizonaCommunity Foundation, chairman ofthe Banner Health Foundation, pastchair of the Greater Phoenix EconomicCouncil, co-chair of the InternationalLeadership Council, a board memberfor Greater Phoenix Leadership, a mem-ber of the Arizona State UniversityPresident's Club, a member of theBioScience Roadmap SteeringCommittee, honorary Commander ofLuke Air Force Base and a member ofthe Board of Fellows of ThunderbirdSchool of Global Management. She alsoserves as a member of the NationalEditorial Advisory Board for HealthcareReal Estate Insights, past chair of theBoard of Trustees for Brophy CollegePreparatory in Phoenix and has speak-

ing engagements throughoutthe United States.“I have had the privilege and

pleasure of knowing and work-ing with Sharon Harper formany years,” said Reginald M.Ballantyne III, Senior CorporateOfficer for Vanguard HealthSystems and Past Chairman ofthe American Hospital Associ-ation. “Her excellent leadershiphas placed Plaza Companies atthe top of the pack with respectto medical office building de-velopment, property acquisitionand leasing and management

services.” With all of her professional commit-

ments, Sharon still has time to enjoygoing with her family to her ranch inCornville, Ariz., 94 miles from Phoenix.“It’s a great place,” she said. “We havehad horses, llamas and cows over theyears and enjoy the apple orchards andthe beautiful Oak Creek with our friendsand family in this amazing ruralArizona setting.”�

What qualities in peopledoes Sharon value most?

“Loyalty, accountabilityand persistence in goingabove and beyond. Theseare also the core valuesof Plaza Companies.”

© Copyright 2011 by MP Magazines LLC

Vi at Silverstone, a Vi Living and Plaza Companiescommunity, Scottsdale

SkySong, the ASU Innovation Center, Scottsdale