Each year, Midwest Real Estate News elects a new class into its Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Here is a look at one of our new inductees, Alicia Stoermer Clark, chief executive officer with Seldin in Omaha, Nebraska.
Perseverance. Hard work. Listening to others. And a willingness to always learn more about the industry. Those are the strategies that Alicia Stoermer Clark, chief executive officer of Omaha’s Seldin, LLC, has relied on to succeed in commercial real estate.
This formula has paid off. Today, Stoermer Clark is one of the top names in Omaha’s commercial real estate market, overseeing the entire Seldin operation. This includes guidance over multifamily and commercial property management, maintenance service, construction, compliance, consulting and brokerage activities.
Stoermer Clark has reached this milestone by serving as a trusted adviser to her clients, constantly adapting to the changes in the commercial real estate industry and by never letting anyone outwork her.
“Success in real estate is greatly impacted by establishing a strong network and applying a dedicated work ethic,” Stoermer Clark said. “The industry has times of prosperity but also down cycles. Persevering in both seasons is possible by continuously investing in relationships and yourself through knowledge growth.”
Stoermer Clark also credits her long career to her willingness to take on new duties, expand into areas of commercial real estate that are outside her expertise and participate in management opportunities. She also listens to others, learning from their expertise.
“I have been fortunate to work alongside great and diverse teams who brought tremendous value,”
Stoermer Clark said. “I highly value keeping communication lines open and showing a willingness to acknowledge good works or accept constructive feedback. My willingness to absorb new information and use it toward expanding ideas and thoughts has opened additional paths forward.”
How dedicated is Stoermer Clark to her career? She spent nine years obtaining an MBA and then a PhD while also working full-time. She said that she pursued her education because she is passionate about learning. The skills she learned during this time, though, have been a great benefit as Stoermer Clark has advanced throughout her career.
Stoermer Clark has also found time to give back to her community and profession. She sits on the board of directors of the National Affordable Housing Management Association and is chair of that organization’s Education Foundation. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Bellevue University, and currently serves as a Dissertation Committee Member in Bellevue University’s Doctorate of Business Administration Program.
“The greatest challenge is finding the balance between executing change and maintaining consistency,” Stoermer Clark said. “The industry has evolved during my 20-plus-year career. To keep up with industry needs and sustain competitiveness, it has been essential to be open and flexible. It’s also crucial to find consistency in service delivery while working to exceed expectations and upholding your reputation. Finding the balance between these two themes is a challenge, but presents the opportunity for self-reflection, knowledge transfer and skill enhancement.”
When not working, Stoermer Clark enjoys spending time with her husband, Steven, and their five children who range in age from 10 to 20. Her children are active in sports and outdoor activities, and these eat up the majority of Stoermer Clark’s non-work hours. The family also loves to travel and explore new places, especially in the mountains or near the ocean.