Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Goldman.
Hi Liz, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
At 22, I made the decision to drop out of college because I realized that a career in psychology was not what I wanted. I did not want to continue living at home, so I landed a job with a large property management company as a leasing agent, and not only did I get a salary, but a free apartment! I thought this was awesome, but in retrospect, the salary was only $189.00 per month, so it was not my greatest career move. I was determined to move up in the organization, so at night I studied for my California Real Estate Broker license and moved up to be a property supervisor and was responsible for the smooth liaison between management and the resident managers. I was interviewed by Working Woman Magazine and appeared in the April 1980 edition in an article called, “Hot Property-where the Big Bucks are in Real Estate”. After reading about such high-powered women like Elaine Young and Joyce Ray, I decided to leave Moss and Company and venture out on my own as an independent property manager. I had several small clients but decided the fee was not commensurate with the number of hours I was putting in so I set my sights on other real estate opportunities. In 1986 I was lucky enough to be hired by Paul Jennings owner of PCS Development, Inc. Paul mentored me and I rose quickly within his organization because I had the right amount of determination, tenacity and follow-through to really get Mr. Jennings attention. He had several other companies and always challenged me in ways that were both joyful and scary at the same time. I was promoted to Director of Property Management, then Vice President, then Executive Vice President and ultimately my role as Chief Operating Officer. I have been lucky enough that when Mr. Jennings had to pivot in business he gave me opportunities to pivot and learn new and exciting fields like solar energy and electric vehicle charging. I have been with the firm for 30 years and still going strong at 71 years young. I would also like to mention that I accomplished all of the above while being a single mom and raising the most creative and wonderful daughter named Erin. She has given me so much and I could not have done everything I have without her love and her support.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been bumpy along the way. I had to prove myself in a field that was male-dominated. I remember a time where I was in a meeting and one of the male VPs was being very condescending and sexist toward another woman on the team. I spoke up at that meeting and my direct boss got angry and called me a belligerent teenager. I thought I was going to get my pink slip after that. I explained why I took umbrage with the comments, and I guess he went home and to his credit, must have thought about it because he apologized the next day, and we never discussed it again. I was given many opportunities to learn grow, and develop in this organization, both personally and professionally. I don’t think I would be as discerning in business or have the confidence and faith in my decision-making without all of the resources that were afforded to me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Jennings Holdings, LLC is in the business of purchasing and developing raw land in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Utah and Nevada, as well as owning a 4400-acre development project in Baja Sur, Mexico. Jennings owns other businesses as well, including a solar energy company and an electric vehicle charging business called Chargie. I am very proud of the quality of homes we have built in Utah see www.deervista.com but also proud of how are solar energy company, www.pcsenergy.com has helped reduce our carbon footprint by installing solar net meter facilities on rooftops of multi-family apartment buildings and also putting feed in tariff solar facilities out in the Van Nuys Airport and other areas of the city. We have also donated a solar facility system to the Discovery Cube Los Angeles to help this non-profit reduce its carbon footprint and reduce its energy consumption. We have donated to other non-profits in the city of Los Angeles like OneGeneration.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Only that I have an incredible leader, Paul Jennings, who has mentored me and taught me so much about business. I have accomplished so many of my life goals with his help and support. He is both a brilliant, forward-thinking businessman but also a great human being who has helped so many people less fortunate than himself. I have also been inspired by my other boss, Joseph Pekarovic, who has also taught me so much about history, life and business.
When I am not at the office, I enjoy working out three times per week at Orange Theory Fitness and love it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pcsenergy.com https://chargie.com
