Colorado Real Estate Journal - June 1, 2016
Surf and turf: Not just lobster and steak but also an apropos description of Mitch Trevey’s career. Trevey, managing director and owner of real estate brokerage firm Trevey Land and Commercial, is a land and commercial property broker with nearly 20 years’ experience in land brokerage and development in the Parker and Douglas County markets. However, before Trevey got into the real estate business, he and his brother founded a seafood distribution company in Salt Lake City. What started as a three-man firm grew to more than 60 employees, a Denver headquarters and offices across the Mountain West and Midwest by the time Trevey sold the company 20 years later. And it was in those 20 years growing and expanding the company that Trevey got a taste of commercial real estate, which piqued his interest in going into the field. “I decided I wanted to be a land broker and was told I would starve for the first two years,” laughed Trevey, who, admits, those first several years in the business were lean. But in those first years, Trevey sought to learn all he could about the land business – attending every planning and commissioners meeting in Douglas County, Parker and Castle Rock to truly understand the land market. “It was well worth it,” said Trevey, noting that those early meetings established relationships with local and regional authorities and developers that continue today. As a Parker resident since 1991, Trevey committed himself to working in Douglas County to create and support a vital economy through commercial real estate development. “The Parker market started out as my primary focus; why would I drive past opportunities and properties? I feel that if I take good care of this market, it will take care of me,” said Trevey. After several years cutting his teeth with John Cavey, he started his own company in 2001 before then joining Land Advisors to establish its Denver Tech Center office. He worked with Land Advisors until the downturn forced the closing of its Denver division. With the closing of the office, Trevey decided to reestablish Trevey Land and Commercial. He restarted his namesake firm – as the only employee and working out of his house – and slowly grew it not only in terms of individuals but also in scope to include development, leasing, land and commercial sales and property management, for example. “We’re making a difference in sales and leasing in Parker,” said Trevey. “We want to penetrate all of Douglas County and be a market specialist in the southeast Denver market. “We don’t claim to be a big house and I don’t want to be,” he continued. “I have huge respect for them but the edge for us is being a smaller shop, being knowledgeable.”
Being knowledgeable about the market Trevey credits with not only his familiarity with it but his willingness to continually learn – be it participating on a variety of community boards to listening to clients and showing respect to those already in the business. As for his success, Trevey notes it comes from a simple philosophy. “It’s about treating every client the best that you can. It’s about taking care of the client. You don’t put your commissions over the client’s needs.” And his favorite part of the business? It’s a tie between ingenuity and individuals. “The creativity in taking a vacant ground and going through the process to see something go vertical is very satisfying,” noted Trevey. Just as satisfying, however, are the people involved. “This is a people business. None of it happens without people,” said Trevey. “Deals get done if you put people first.” Over his career, Trevey has worked on a number of sales and leases, including spearheading plans for two parcels next to town hall to be transformed to a performing arts center – the PACE Center in Parker. Trevey served as president of the Parker Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the board and then the director for the Economic Development Council and on the operating council for Parker Core Knowledge Charter School. He also is a member of the Denver Metropolitan Commercial Association of Realtors, the Denver South Economic Development Partnership, the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Urban Land Institute, and was awarded the Economic Development Cornerstone Award in 2013. Outside of work, Trevey is active with Calvary Chapel of Parker, spending time with his wife, Amy, and their two sons, ages 11 and 8, and being a “tennis dad.” Trevey also has two adult sons. Additionally, he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, exercising and sports cars.