Harry Drake Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Block Real Estate Services Kansas City, Mo.
Harry Drake has accomplished much during his more than 30 years in commercial real estate. Drake’s current responsibilities include executive oversight of the property management division at Block Real Estate Services. The division is made up of 20 managers and support staff responsible for more than 22 million square feet of managed space located in the metropolitan Kansas City area as well as St. Louis, Atlanta and Phoenix.
In addition, Drake leads the acquisition and due diligence team responsible for every aspect of new property acquisitions. In 2005 alone, Drake and his team were responsible for the acquisition and subsequent management of more than 2.7 million square feet of space consisting of more than 40 multi-tenant buildings. Two of the most notable transactions included a 29 building – 1.6 million-square-foot acquisition of ProLogis Kansas City holdings and a five building 460,000-square-foot acquisition of TIAA Kansas City holdings.
To help keep the company strong during these rough economic times, Drake provides executive oversight for its Strategic Advisory Services team. The team helps commercial real estate owners, investors, lenders and developers strategically address the more challenging issues facing specific assets or property portfolios during times of cash flow distress and/or collapse of market fundamentals.
Drake also is a court appointed receiver and has worked with several lenders and special servicers on local and national levels since 2009.
Drake was also instrumental in creating Block Multifamily Group, which provides management and investment services in a wide geographic area. He is a principal of Block Funds and a member of the Block Real Estate Services Executive Committee.
Aside from his professional accomplishments, Drake’s colleagues say he is a true mentor and friend to every employee at BRES. Despite his heavy workload and constant deadlines, Drake is never too busy to counsel and assist any employee who needs his help. He makes the trip every week from the company’s Kansas City office to assist the staff in St. Louis.
As a former member of the Overland Park South Rotary, Drake also has worked on numerous community projects, including the Corporate Woods Jazz Festival and the Overland Park Fourth of July Celebration. In addition, he also completed the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce “Leadership Overland Park” program in the spring of 1994.
