Maurice Pogoda
President & Founder
Pogoda Companies
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Maurice Pogoda has been a driving force in the self-storage industry for nearly four decades, helping shape its evolution through innovation, disciplined leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing the business.
As founder and president of Pogoda Companies, he built one of the nation’s most respected self-storage firms, recognized for operational excellence, strategic vision, and consistent performance across market cycles. His influence extends well beyond his own portfolio — elevating professional standards, mentoring emerging leaders, and playing a significant role in the transformation of self-storage into a sophisticated, investment-grade asset class throughout Michigan, the Midwest, and beyond.
“What I enjoy most now is building the business alongside my sons,” Pogoda said. “I’ve stepped into more of a ‘wise sage’ role — helping spot opportunities, fine-tune operations, and think about long-term value. What I like about self-storage is that it blends real estate, operations, and customer service. It’s a simple business in theory, but the little details make all the difference.”
He has also played an active leadership role in the industry. Pogoda was a founding member of the Self Storage Association of Michigan (SSAM), served as its vice president for many years, and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2024. Nationally, he has served on the board of governors of the Self Storage Association Foundation and has been a frequent speaker and contributor to industry events and publications.
Today, Pogoda Companies ranks among the top 30 self-storage owner/operators in the United States, with 71 properties totaling more than 4.5 million square feet across Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio — a footprint built through careful growth and long-term stewardship.
That growth has not come without challenges. Pogoda has guided his company through multiple market cycles, capital market disruptions, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer behavior.
“Each cycle brings both challenges and opportunities,” he said. “The unscientific trick is trying to figure out when to buy, sell, or hold. I’ve gotten plenty wrong, but because our approach is financially conservative, we’ve been able to weather very difficult periods and still capitalize on opportunities.”
That measured approach has defined both his philosophy and his track record.
“We’ve walked away from many opportunities because we weren’t willing to stretch beyond our comfort zone,” Pogoda said. “We’d rather be the tortoise than the hare. The payoff is a record I’m very proud of — we’ve never lost a property, missed a mortgage payment, or been on a watch list. Our success comes from thinking long term, staying disciplined, and surrounding ourselves with a strong team, along with a consistent focus on good locations, operational execution, and conservative leverage.”
Outside the office, Pogoda prioritizes time with family, especially his grandchildren, along with close friends. He and his wife, Lori, enjoy walking, biking, and hiking. He’s an avid golfer and, at least for now, is still resisting friends’ efforts to get him onto a pickleball court. Together, they also share a love of travel, with Italy holding a special place among their favorite destinations.
Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame: Pogoda Companies’ Maurice Pogoda
