They come because they believe in Hughes Marino Inc.’s mission, which is to serve and protect the interests of tenants and buyers in the commercial real estate industry.
They stay for Hughes Marino’s company culture. It’s unique, built on a list of 10 “core values” central enough to the company that they’re celebrated in a mural on the outside wall of the company’s San Diego headquarters.
They’re also the ones celebrating: It’s the third time in four years Hughes Marino’s Irvine office has claimed a top spot in the Business Journal’s Best Places to Work special report, this year in the medium-sized employer category.
Growth Inspired
Employees say they’re not surprised by the recognition. From the start, Hughes Marino Chairman and Chief Executive Jason Hughes and President Shay Hughes say they’ve focused on creating a family-like, collaborative environment that brings out the best in staffers. They say they believe employees who feel valued and supported will deliver better results for clients and ultimately lead to a more successful company.
The approach has succeeded beyond expectations. Hughes Marino was founded in 2011 in San Diego, an outgrowth of the former Irving Hughes company. In less than a decade, it’s grown to seven U.S. offices, providing brokerage services, construction management, and leasing and administrative services to clients around the country.
Wowed
“I remember my very first Hughes Marino experience,” says Project Management Operations Manager Chantrelle McGregor. “Walking in, I was amazed by the beautiful office and the stunning views and wondered if I had stepped into an interior design magazine instead of a job interview.”
The meeting, she says, felt more like friendly conversations than an interview. “Each member I had met with was so amicable and a delight to talk to that I couldn’t help but think how lucky I’d be if I were given the opportunity to join the team.”
To McGregor’s delight, she had a conversation with Shay that afternoon. “Shay effortlessly made me feel at ease, and we had a wonderful and heartfelt conversation that I still recall fondly to this day.”
Day-to-Day
“Through our intense focus on creating one of the top work environments in the country, we have grown to be one of the leaders in our space nationally,” says Tucker Hughes, managing director and founder of the Irvine and Los Angeles offices. “What I’m most proud of, though, is our team.”
Says Vice President Brett Lessman, “Our atmosphere is second to none. The strong culture throughout all of our offices is consistent, and we are very selective to make sure we are hiring the right people that have the right mix of core values and grit. We have tremendous support from the top, down.”
He says the company’s management is flat. “Jason and Shay are both client- and team member-facing on a daily basis. Team members are not only empowered to make decisions, they are encouraged to share their decisions and experience with the entire team if something has been working well. This is one of the biggest ways we are evolving and maturing as an organization.”
Perks That Pop
Recognizing the importance of rewarding the team, Hughes Marino provides perks that include full health insurance and dental benefits, student loan assistance, a 401(k), extra time off during holidays, free healthy snacks, and a wide range of team-building opportunities that include bay cruises, chocolate-malt making, shuffleboard playing and go-kart racing.
Employees are widely recognized by management and colleagues for successes. One way is through “WOW” cards, which give colleagues a chance to recognize each other for outstanding work. Recipients get lots of kudos and a little extra love in their paychecks.
The approach makes work fun, employees say.
“Some days at work can be challenging but certainly worthwhile, especially since we get to enjoy the journey with the amazing Hughes Marino family,” McGregor says. “It’s been four years since I first joined … and I am happy to report that it has been some of the best four years of my life. I’m excited to see what the future holds on this incredible journey.”
