Steven Herron, CPM
President, Zeller Management Corporation
Zeller
Steve Herron has played a crucial role in the success of Zeller, specifically in the firm’s property management division.
As president, Herron oversees the property management of Zeller’s portfolio. He also works closely with Zeller’s financial teams that oversee operating budgets and support schedules for the many properties that the firm manages.
His peers say that Herron has long championed advancements in innovation, sustainability and technology at Zeller, advancements that have given this property management firm an edge among its competitors.
What does Herron enjoy most about working in property management? He cites the variety and complexity of managing commercial real estate.
“Property management places individuals largely in the seat of a CEO having to touch and impact virtually every aspect of maintaining and growing a business,” Herron said. “In this case, it is through the investment within a commercial office building. Working with teams who manage all aspects to produce a positive outcome for a physical asset regardless of size, class or situation has been personally rewarding for me throughout my career.”
Before becoming president, Herron served as a principal at Zeller. In this role, he handled the physical operation and financial performance for properties across all markets served by Zeller. Before joining Zeller, Herron worked as a property manager with Heitman Properties, where he managed a variety of properties in the Twin Cities market.
Herron credits much of his success and longevity throughout his 34+ year commercial real estate career to the mentors who guided him early in his career.
“Sometimes the perspective you receive from both mentors and direct reports is not what you wish to hear. However, I feel like I have a strong enough sense of who I am and the ability to critically listen to ensure that I minimize, if not eliminate, blind spots within my own thinking or strategy,” Herron said.
Herron also said that he has surrounded himself with talented individuals, which has also helped him succeed.
“I believe that the greatest success comes from tapping into the individual talents of the team members and people around you to achieve a stated goal,” Herron said. “I have found that following that mantra has produced the success I have enjoyed within the industry.”
In his free time, Herron has not been shy about serving his community. He is a past president of BOMA Greater Minneapolis and a member of IREM, NAIOP, the Minnesota Downtown Council and Skyway Advisory Board. He currently serves as chair of the BOMA National Advisory Council. He also is a Youth Mentor at Bolder Options. In 2023, he won the Best of BOMA Board Chairs Award and in 2021 was awarded the Executive of the Year by the MN RE Journal.
When not working, Herron says that he most enjoys spending as much time with his wife of 32 years and three adult children as possible. He also enjoys any adventure that involves motorsports, whether on the track with his Porsche Cayman or scheduling trips with his friends to backcountry areas within the United States on adventure motorcycles.
“I enjoy being outdoors experiencing the exhilaration brought by both those activities,” Herron said. “Perhaps a visit to an F1 race at Spa is in my future!”
