Kathy Zerbone

Kathy Zerbone had a decision to make. After having worked in the cruise line industry and for a Canadian airline —and after spending a year in Europe — she was back in the States and eyeing real estate as a career.

The choice was between residential and commercial, but the decision was made when Zerbone came across Miami-based Easton & Associates.

“I thought that commercial real estate would be an interesting market to go into as opposed to residential. It happened that there was an advertisement to come in and talk to them, so I did exactly that,” she said. “I began working with Jim Baldi. He highly recommended me, and we worked together on a few things. He moved on, and I continued in his footsteps.”

Zerbone has now been a broker with Easton & Associates for 17 years. She specializes in helping clients in the leasing, buying and selling of warehouses and overseeing industrial condominium and buildto- suit projects. She got her start managing a 100,000sf warehouse facility and won a “Dealmaker” award from Kennedy Wilson for closing the largest industrial lease (35,000sf) in Miami International Commerce Center for 1999.

Zerbone said it’s the variety in commercial real estate work that keeps her coming back.

“It’s the challenges that I come across every day — and finding solutions to those challenges that result in being able to close a transaction,” she said. “Every day is different. The basics of the job are the same, but every day you come across different people and different deals. That makes it very challenging.”

In addition to deal-making, Zerbone is a member of the Florida Association of Realtors and is working on her CCIM designation. She said women have to work hard in the commercial real estate industry, but opportunities for advancement abound.

“I think that women coming into the field have to work very hard and be able to jump over obstacles that come their way — and there will be obstacles and challenges,” she said. “Stay focused and work hard, and you’ll make it. Women have just as many opportunities in this field as men do.”

As for the next items on her agenda, Zerbone said they are largely what she’s always done.

“My goal is just to keep working hard. I have been working on a lot of pre-construction projects, and most of those are starting to close — which is rewarding in itself,” she said. “Now, I just look forward to new ventures. Every day is a challenge, and I welcome those challenges.”

Zerbone said caring for her 7-yearold daughter helps her to keep work and home in the proper perspective.

“I really appreciate her, since during the day I work in a whole different world. When I go home at night, I really enjoy being a mom,” she said.