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IN 25 WORDS OR LESS
That’s it. Leaders and influencers, who are usually given the floor for as long as they like, are limited here to condensed responses (no more than 25 words) that get straight to the point.
Always focus on creating value for everyone that you come in contact with. All the world covets their MVPs.
THE BASICS
Name: Alan Dones
Age: Mature • Status: Single • Kids: No
Place of Birth: Oakland, CA • Place Raised: Oakland, Berkeley & El Cerrito, CA
Professional Background: Alan Dones, Managing Partner of SUDA, LLC, specializing in large-scale, innovative, public, private partnerships in construction and mixed-use development. He is a long-time entrepreneur, a licensed general engineering construction contractor, and community advocate of equal opportunity in employment and contracting.
What achievement or position are you most known for? Developer of Major Mixed-Use Developments in Oakland
WORK
Job(s) held that is most unlike what I currently do now: Musician (Bass) and Published Song Writer
Field #1: Real Estate Development
Yrs of Experience: 20
Title: Managing Partner
Company: Strategic Urban Development Alliance, LLC (SUDA) – Oakland, CA
What it does and what I do: Real Estate Development
Current Big Project: Various Mixed Use Developments in Oakland’s Uptown District – Mandela Village at West Oakland BART Station.
Staffing/Resource Needs: Summer Interns Needed
Field #2: General Engineering Construction Contractor
Yrs of Experience: 32
Title: CEO
Company: ADCo, Inc. – Oakland, CA
What it does and what I do: Engineering Construction Contractor
Current Big Project: OUSD School Lease Leasback Projects & East Bay MUD Large Diameter Pipe Rehabilitation.
PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Significant Challenge: Managing pragmatic and efficient organizational growth with limited capital resources.
Significant Mistake/Regret: Inability to raise the capital required to close on a real estate transaction.
Significant Accomplishment: Bouncing back from business adversity to successfully complete my largest development project in downtown Oakland’s Uptown District.
Biggest Strength(s): Perseverance and the ability to transmute adversity into strength.
Biggest Weakness(es): Difficulty saying no when necessary.
Career Advice: Always focus on creating value for everyone that you come in contact with. All the world covets their MVPs.
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
Significant Challenge: Staying relatively balanced – spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Significant Accomplishment: Staying relatively balanced – spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Life Advice: T’is better to give than to receive. It’s also OK to give generously-for selfish reasons!
Trait(s) most admired in others: An attitude of gratitude!
Some causes/organizations I support: Child development and education
LIFESTYLE
Hours of “personal” downtime/week: 10
Favorite activity(s) in my personal downtime: Study of music composition and arrangement
Some of my favorite local hangouts: Pican, 1300, SF Jazz and Yoshi’s
Some of my favorite TV shows: CNN, KQED FM, Mornings on 2
Favorite Vacation Spot(s): Maui
Place(s) I would like to visit: Bai Brazil
Favorite Pastime/Hobby(s): Music Composition
Favorite Book(s): The Half Has Never Been Told, by Edward Baptist (currently)
Some of my most-admired people (excluding parents): Nelson Mandela
Something about me that may surprise you: Never married…
