https://youtu.be/6-pdR6PS00k
Carolyn Pistone of Petaluma’s Clear Blue Commercial wins Nonprofit Leadership Award
Carolyn Pistone of Petaluma’s Clear Blue Commercial has won one of North Bay Business Journal’s Nonprofit Leadership Awards.
North Bay Business Journal
October 30, 2017, 5:37PM
Professional background: I have held various senior positions in the entertainment, real estate, and hi-tech industries, including Head of Operations for Dreamworks, and Head of Production at Tippett Studio. A former actress, director, and standup comic, I also spent a year as a comedy traffic school instructor. I am the President and Managing Director at Clear Blue Commercial, committed to client service and applying a holistic and sustainable approach to all facets of the life of a property. I am a certified Realtor, EcoBroker, and Green Building Professional. These experiences have led me to work to build a supportive, innovative, and collaborative environment for clients, vendors, team members, and, yes, even the planet, to thrive.
Education: I earned a B.A. from San Francisco State University; and an M.F.A. in Directing for Theatre, Film, and Television from California Institute of the Arts. I am a 2016 Fellow of the Leadership Institute for the Ecology and the Economy’s Leadership for a Sustainable Future program and a graduate of the Leadership Petaluma class of 2015.
Describe your organization
Clear Blue Commercial is a full-service brokerage, sustainability consulting and project management company dedicated to saving the planet through real estate. An NBBJ Community Philanthropy and Outstanding Facility Management award winner, voted Best Green Business in 2016 by North Bay Biz magazine, Clear Blue Commercial’s efforts saved over three million gallons of water annually during the recent drought, successfully saved their clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in green upgrades and energy savings, and added significant value to their properties through community engagement, customer attraction and retention. Clear Blue Commercial is the ONLY commercial real estate firm to be a certified Green Business, a certified Small Business, a certified Woman Owned Business, AND a B-Corp. We support the many other businesses that will join our ranks and we are proud to be leading the way.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am a committed Earthling and a member of the Stewardship Circle of Daily Acts, a sustainability non-profit that inspires action to create more nourishing, connected, and resilient communities. In addition, I serve on the Environmental Committee of the Sonoma County Alliance, the Climate Action 2020 Stakeholders Advisory Group, former President of the Board of Trustees for the Petaluma Community Foundation, and a founding board member of 100 Sonoma People Who Care. I am also a founding member of both the Real Estate and Business Social Enterprises Association (REBSEA) and Investing in Communities (IIC). I strive to be an inspiring and supportive mother, daughter, sister, and friend, and I believe that life is not worth living without a sense of humor.
What is your role in the organization?
As a business owner and as a leader, it brings me the greatest joy to act as a humble servant to my talented team, helping to maximize their talents to bring ever-increasing positive impact in the community.
What achievement are you most proud of?
I am so honored to be among the amazing individuals and organizations receiving this award. Also, so blessed to be spending every day with my wonderful husband, best friend, and business partner of 22 years, Marty Pistone (which is amazing, considering I am only 29!).
What is your biggest challenge today?: Climate change!
What is the next major project either underway or on the horizon?: Growing our brokerage team and our outreach to bring sustainable real estate solutions.
How do you think your profession will change in the next five years?
We strive to meet every client and property where they are, and through the course of each transaction, project, or consulting assignment, move them forward on the sustainability continuum. Obviously, the broader our reach, the greater positive impact we can have on our planet and in our communities. Hope and optimism.
Most admired businessperson outside your organization: Laurie Zerga, Oren Wool, Cate Steane, Don Black, Tim Saavedra, Pooran Desai, and Brad Baker
Current reading: “A Manual for Cleaning Women” by Lucia Berlin
Most want to meet: Anyone that I can help, anyone that I can learn from, and anyone with great Warriors tickets to share.
Stress relievers: A Sonoma Stompers game in all my fan gear.
Favorite hobbies: Philanthropy and good works in the community. Also, any time that I can spend swimming, paddling, or snorkeling in the sunshine is time well spent
Buzzword from your industry you hate the most: “In sales, we have to kill what we eat.” I prefer to think that we plant what we eat.
Words that best describe you: Resourceful, generous, and funny (I hope).
Read the article here
Petaluma Business Article
Smart Resource Use Is Good Business
Many consider commercial buildings to be one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions and Clear Blue Commercial’s Carolyn Pistone discussed how buildings can be environmentally sound and profitable in this EXCLUSIVE.
Pistone established an advisory board to expand Clear Blue’s sustainability consulting business.
PETALUMA, CA—Clear Blue Commercial’s president and managing director Carolyn
Pistone is an ecobroker and certified green building professional who has successfully built a collaborative consultancy that enables landlord clients, vendors, team members and the planet to thrive. Clear Blue provides property owners with sustainable, profitable and environmentally conscious solutions for facilities.
After many years of implementing green upgrades to the properties it manages, Pistone recently established an advisory board to help expand its sustainability consulting and project management services for all types of commercial real estate properties. Considering commercial buildings are a large contributor to carbon emissions, Pistone discussed how they can be both sustainable and profitable in this exclusive.
GlobeSt.com: Many businesses and building owners would like to make green upgrades, but isn’t it more expensive?
Pistone: This is a common misconception, especially when the upgrades are not viewed holistically. All investors and business owners know that smart resource usage is good business. Increased carbon emissions are not just bad for the planet, they are also bad for landlords’ and tenants’ bottom line. Renewable energy sources, lighting conversions and water-saving initiatives not only save costs today, but can be a hedge against inflation tomorrow.
One of the ways we have worked to mitigate the upfront costs of many improvements for our clients is to take a comprehensive approach to the property. We review and price every possible upgrade, calculate all the energy and water savings, and then review all the possible grants, rebates, financing options and tax incentives. We then calculate the time to ROI (in many cases less than three years) and show the client how much it is costing them every month they wait. Many utility companies offer programs for no-interest on-bill financing where people can pay for these projects on monthly utility bills through energy savings.
In this way, we were recently able to complete a large LED conversion in an office building with no out-of-pocket cost to the landlord and no increase in operating expenses. The EV charging stations installed in the same building recouped 50% of the costs through a grant from our local air quality management district, and, even with the additional electrical draw from the charging stations, the utility bills still dropped due to the LED conversion. These valuable amenities allowed rents to stay competitive, helped our client attract tenants and helped our tenants attract employees without increasing costs to either one.
GlobeSt.com: How do sustainable upgrades affect property values?
Pistone: The short answer: they increase it. Although there is not yet comprehensive data that valuation professionals have adopted, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence out there. One example is the building we mentioned earlier. Our client purchased the building in late 2011 for just under $3 million and sold it in mid-2017 for just over $8 million. Even if the sustainable upgrades only accounted for 10% of the profit, the increased value is still significant.
GlobeSt.com: Aside from the quantifiers, which support an investment in sustainability upgrades, how can commercial real estate be a leader in combating climate change?
Pistone: Our commercial buildings are the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the world: greater than all of our cars, jet planes and super-tankers, and where the greatest opportunities are for positive environmental impact. We need to include sustainability in our definition of ‘highest and best use’ of every property. Although current building innovations and standards are allowing us to build new structures with net zero environmental impact, we know that the greenest buildings are the ones that are already built.
GlobeSt.com: How do your brokerage services fit in with your sustainability mission and related project management services?
Pistone: We strive to meet every client and property where they are, and, through the course of each transaction, project or consulting assignment, move them forward on the sustainability continuum. Obviously, the broader our reach, the greater positive impact we can have on our planet and in our communities.
GlobeSt.com: What additional capabilities does your advisory board bring to your current service offerings?
Pistone: Our new board members boast extensive expertise in law, project management, customer relations, sustainability, business consultation and entrepreneurship, providing strategic guidance as well as operational and industry counseling. The board intends to work with us to market and scale our business throughout our region and beyond, maximize opportunities for our sustainability-driven mission, and create a support structure for our clients, agents and project managers.
Farm to Fork in Colusa
By Ben Goldman, Agent, Ben@clearbluecommercial.com
Wine from local vineyards, stuffed mushroom caps, watermelon filled with salty feta cheese, breads and extra virgin olive oil to start a steady stream of good country music by local faves Amanda Gray and Chris Lockhart from Yuba City set the tone above the low hum of big industrial swamp fan coolers working away to keep the crowd cooled under the big shady trees to manage the 110-degree heat in support of local farmers and ranchers.
Yep, July 22 the thermometer in Colusa reached a scorching 110 – just in time for the 2nd annual Farm to Fork Dinner held at Veteran’s Memorial Park. The Dinner was a near sold out affair anyway and lots of folks came out, I would guesstimate upwards of 150 or so, to celebrate local farming and support the community.
A special congratulation to Jennifer Diaz for doing such an amazing job making this event happen. As she commented to me recently, ” Lots of work, Lots of fun”. That genuine spirit was certainly evident to all attendees.
And, no kidding, after an hour or so I was comfortable enough to forget how hot it was!
The Colusa Certified Farmer’s Market committee along with the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce organized the event with help from a Grant from Premier Mushroom, a tenant at Colusa Industrial Properties, Northern California’s Premiere AgriTech Industrial Park. Rocos Bar and Grill, Colusa Casino and Market Street Grill served the locals.
Main Street Grill was responsible for the outstanding Prime Rib and Vegetarian Lasagna entrees.
And It was all locally sourced; Certified Angus Beef, vegetables, fruits, nuts, scratch made breads, wine, olive oils and locally grown plants everywhere.
Great raffle prizes of foods, garden plants and supplies; table gift bags followed a yummy selection of desserts What a bounty! – I’ll be looking forward to next year’s Event…………please.
Keep your eye on the new residential development at Colusa Industrial Properties, adjacent to the gold course. Those future residents, of the 180 home project, will be assured of a healthy, sustainable, Farm to Fork lifestyle as part of this generous farming and ranch community.
Clear Blue Commercial Appoints Advisory Board
Clear Blue Commercial Appoints Advisory Board and Adds New Agent as Company Expands Real Estate Brokerage and Sustainability Consulting Services
PETALUMA, CALIF. — August 3, 2017— Clear Blue Commercial announces the formation of an advisory board as the company prepares for a future focused on expanding its purchase and lease transaction services and helping property-owner clients achieve sustainable, profitable and environmentally-conscious solutions for their facilities. It also welcomes Janie Glidden to its brokerage team to assist clients with development, transactions and project management. A certified green building professional, Glidden joins Clear Blue Commercial after serving as executive director of the American Subcontractor’s Association of California, and she brings an extensive background in helping companies navigate construction, energy and sustainability projects.
Its new board members boast extensive expertise in law, project management, customer relations, sustainability, business consultation and entrepreneurship, providing strategic guidance, as well as operational and industry counselling. The board intends to work with Clear Blue Commercial to market and scale its business throughout the region and beyond, maximize opportunities for its sustainability-driven mission, and create a support structure for its clients, agents and project managers.
“Like many other successful purpose-driven small businesses, we established this dynamic advisory team for our next phase of growth as we expand our sustainability consulting and project management services for all types of commercial real estate properties,” said Carolyn Pistone, president and managing director of Clear Blue Commercial. “Additionally, adding Janie to our team perfectly complements our mission to help property-owner and tenant clients with cost-saving facility greening, decreasing their environmental footprint and making their buildings healthier for its users and the planet.”
The advisory board includes:
- Donald Black – A director at Andersen Zeigler PC, Black is a veteran Sonoma County business, real estate transactions and financing attorney.
- Cate Steane – Steane owns a professional project management business, where she helps small and mid-size businesses plan for project success.
- Tim Saavedra – Vice president of West Petaluma Umpqua Bank, Saavedra has a broad understanding of financial lending and transactions.
- Oren Wool – Wool is the executive director of Sustainable North Bay, hosts the renowned
- Sustainable Enterprise Conference and is a consultant for companies bringing healthy, environmentally conscious products and services to the market.
- Laurie Zerga – Zerga is a strategic advisor for business owners looking to grow their business’ potential.
“Under the direction of its passionate leader, advocate and broker Carolyn Pistone, Clear Blue Commercial has clearly shown its clients how their facilities can be both sustainable and profitable,” said board member Wool. “Commercial buildings are the single largest contributor to carbon emissions, and Clear Blue’s mission to green them brings the greatest positive environmental impact we can make. Its strategies are already proven effective, and I’m thrilled to serve as a strategic advisor within this board because of how critical and important this work is. People – starting with businesses and property owners – need to pick up the slack and be catalysts for reversing damage to the environment.”
Clear Blue Commercial helps clients reduce operating expenses while deepening a commitment to environmental sustainability through green energy upgrades. These upgrades include solar energy, battery and fuel cell storage, landscape conversions, LED lighting conversions, and installation of EV charging stations, among others. Its detailed and efficient property transformation services include researching and applying for grants, incentives and rebates; providing ROI calculations for each element of the project; applying for the most advantageous financing options; establishing performance metrics; assembling the trades team and managing the installation process; and collaborating with client’s marketing and leasing strategies to maximize the project’s value-add.
Clear Blue Commercial’s successes include nearly tripling a Petaluma office building’s value in eight years after providing a multitude of energy upgrades at no cost to the owner. The owner, who bought the property in 2011 for $3 million, recently sold it for $8 million. Additionally, it has performed a number of turf conversions from grass to drought-tolerant landscapes in an effort to both decrease water usage and the expense to the landlord. Its largest project, dubbed Mulchstock, eliminated 64,000 square feet of lawn and is saving 1.6 million gallons of water annually.
Added Marty Pistone, Clear Blue Commercial owner/agent, “Smart resource usage is good business for the short- and long-term. Our goal is to aggregate financial incentives with as little out-of-pocket investment and as much savings as possible for our clients. Additionally, our projects make facilities healthier, boost employee satisfaction, create positive marketing opportunities and increase the property’s value. It truly is a winning combination for the property owner, building users and the planet.”
About Clear Blue Commercial
Clear Blue Commercial is a full-service commercial real estate brokerage, sustainability consulting and project management company dedicating to maximizing its clients’ investments, saving its clients’ time, and adding value to local communities. A North Bay Business Journal Community Philanthropy and Outstanding Facility Management award winner and voted Best Green Business in 2016 by Northbay Biz magazine, Clear Blue Commercial has successfully saved its clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in green upgrades and energy savings. Clear Blue Commercial is the only commercial real estate firm to be a certified Green Business, a certified Small Business, a certified Woman Owned Business, and a B-Corp.
At Sonoma State conference, sustainable business is the topic
Faced with a political climate in which environmental protections may be rolled back, more than 200 people turned out Wednesday to learn about how to create a more sustainable economy, not only for the planet but also for the profit column.
“Out of Africa:” A Commercial Real Estate Perspective
By Annie Sherman, Administrative Coordinator for Clear Blue Commercial
Rooftop Under Construction in Nairobi, Kenya | Photo credit: Annie Sherman, Copyright 2016
A Trip of a Lifetime
Recently, I visited Kenya, Africa for a few weeks. Since many of us in the United States (U.S.) are geographically challenged (including myself), Kenya is on the east coast of Africa. Kenya is smack dab on the equator and the weather couldn’t have been more beautiful. Rain storms, sunny days, and beautiful African skies every day all day. And the sun rose and set relatively at the same time every day!
In an email to friends, family, and staff, a few days before the historical November 8th election, I wrote that “In a few words, this trip was: humbling, eye opening, shocking, beautiful, enriching, relaxing, and wonderful!” And I went on to say:
“This trip makes me feel like a tiny ant on a humongous planet. And oh my goodness – seeing the election coverage over here is stunning. The whole world is watching. Mock polls in Kenya show overwhelming support for a woman president. Whichever way this goes, this will be a very interesting four years.” ~ Annie S., November 2016
Commercial Real Estate sector in Kenya is BOOMING!
While in Kenya, I spent most of the time in Nairobi, the city’s capital. Nairobi’s population is over 3 million people and growing. There is virtually no order on the streets, and it was naturally rare to see a white person. Tourists generally seem to stick to the Maasai Mara for Safaris.
And everywhere you look, buildings are being built. I mean…everywhere! What struck me immediately upon arrival was the apparent lack of safety involved with construction. People were literally hanging off buildings and structures seemed unsafe. The construction was fascinating and like nothing I had seen before. It was made out of what appeared to be cinder blocks and a lot of iron sheets were used on the shacks and many roofs. The paint was colorful and there were black plastic water tanks everywhere.
Some modern malls are being built by South African investors and they included progressive features such as the solar panel parking structure seen in this picture. However, to confirm my observations about the lack of safety, about a week and a half into our trip there was a huge building collapse that killed 3 people.
The Final Frontier
Africa is ultimately the final frontier for mostly everything. What seems to be happening from my discussions with locals and watching the local news is that foreign (especially Chinese) and local investors are snatching up land rapidly, much like I imagine it was like here in the U.S. some 100 years ago. So what seems to be happening in Nairobi is that the population is growing rapidly and people need places to live. Multifamily structures are built and then added on to as the money rolls in – layer after layer is built, higher and higher.
With government corruption – or rather the lack of an official system of accountability that is effective – safety standards are not enforced. So, when I say “Commercial Real Estate is “Booming” in Kenya,” I mean this in both senses of the word unfortunately as some of the buildings are actually booming to the ground.
A Resilient People
I have never seen such hard working, resilient, graceful, and beautiful people in my life. I have seen this somewhat on an individual level in the U.S., but nothing like this. People are at every corner selling something; there are people everywhere. So much that when I returned to the U.S. and saw no one on the streets, it felt lonely like a ghost town. In the face of AIDS, a government that generally speaking does not seem to do much for its people on the whole, the lack of sound roads to get from point A to point B, and the prevalence of diesel and trash burning pollution, the people of Kenya put up with a LOT. I swore not to complain about anything when I returned to the U.S. except only to complain about me or someone else complaining. And I have been through a lot personally, but nothing compared to mass poverty and pollution.
But in the face of such adversity, the Kenyan people wake up every day and work hard – I mean hard. As a young child all the way to an elderly age. Much like how it used to be in the U.S. before child labor laws and retirement. They care for one another and look after each other for the most part. Family is number one and family gatherings are important. Religion is important. Community is important. With western influence I am told this is changing and that the quest for individuality and modern amenities is unavoidable.
What Amazing Animals!
I was fortunate enough to visit Nairobi National Park, where the famous burning of the elephant tusks happens to raise awareness about the very real threat of wildlife due to poaching (A great documentary called “The Ivory Game” is on Netflix to learn more about the devastation of poaching). It was neat to see the city as a backdrop to Kenya’s astounding wildlife. And even more “fun” (more like TERROR!) when our car battery died when viewing some hungry lions nearly 100 feet away! But that is a story for another day. Here are a few photos from that adventure!
I hope everyone that reads this can have a new appreciation for what a beautiful and resilient country Kenya is and that although there is a huge real estate boom, to consider the many risks and effect(s) you may have through your investments on the local culture and economy and to always give back.
Thank you to our 400 Facebook Friends!
Thanks to all of our friends!
We passed 400 likes on our facebook page this morning and couldn’t be more grateful to our loyal and new followers on social media! As you may already know, we are not concerned so much with numbers and stats but more interested in sharing our message and our services to the local and global community and learning more from our friends!
We feel pretty special!
Clear Blue Commercial is the first ever and only Commercial Real Estate Company that has been certified as a B Corp, Small Business, Woman-owned, AND Sonoma County Green Business all together! We constantly strive to be a better company and provide better service to our current and future clientele.
What the future holds..
This year we plan to manage your commercial property, sell your commercial real estate, help you find your business a place to lease, provide your commercial building sustainability projects such as energy efficiency upgrades and water-saving landscape conversions, and much more!
Engage us!
Please let us know how we can help you and about collaborative opportunities.
This means a TON to us. If you think our posts are good, hit the like and share buttons. If you feel compelled, please comment. Please message us. You can also folow us/message us on @ClearBlue_CRE on Twitter and at Clear Blue Commercial’s Company page on LinkedIn!
We are truly grateful for all your support and business and look forward to a bright 2017!
Clear Blue Commercial Moves UP In NBBJ’s Annual Book of Lists!
In 2017, Clear Blue Commercial will be YOUR exclusive real estate company to turn to for your property management, leasing, and sales needs. Among many reasons, including our values-driven sustainability model and our exceptional service, the very latest news is that we were ranked among the top real estate brokerages, top property management companies, and top woman-owned businesses by the North Bay Business Journal (NBBJ) in their 2017 Annual Book of Lists!
Clear Blue Commercial has moved up in position and is now ranked as:
#14 in top Property Management Companies
#15 in top Commercial Real Estate Brokerages
#34 in top Women-owned Companies
The Book of Lists is the definitive source of business information in the North Bay. It is a compilation of all lists published in the North Bay Business Journal throughout the year, including the largest companies in a wide range of major industries such as Banking & Finance, Health Care, Construction, Wine, Technology and Real Estate. ~ NBBJ
Come network with executives who made the list at the
North Bay Business Journal‘s Book of Lists Release Party on
Thursday, January 19, 2017 from 5-7 pm!
Contact Clear Blue Commercial today
for all your commercial property management needs!
707.794.8400
info@clearbluecommercial.com
www.clearbluecommercial.com