Several years ago, the Southern Arizona CCIM Chapter realized that the newest generation of commercial real estate brokers and agents might not know of the many contributions of the prior generations of real estate practitioners and set about to make our real estate history an important part of the culture and fabric of the industry.
Many of Tucson’s pioneering real estate families are still with us and some of Tucson’s Real Estate Legends are still active and can recount their experiences through interesting and sometime hilarious, real estate stories.
Last year, the CCIM Chapter honored real estate pioneers John and Hellen Murphey who’s accomplishments spanned the 1920’s and 1930’s. About the time the Murpheys were developing St. Phillips Church and Catalina Foothills Estates, there was a new generation growing up in Tucson who would carry on their real estate legacy. This new generation included Buddy Amos, Roy Drachman, Sonny Solot, Buck O’Reilly, Bill Estes Jr, Roy Long and both Dan Lyons and Andy Romo.
This year, Dan Lyons and Andy Romo were honored with induction into Tucson’s Real Estate Legends by CCIM members, Jim Marian and George Larsen who began the tradition.
Andy and Dan first met in 1966 when Dan was employed at Vivian Arnold Realty. It was there that Andy interned with Dan and a fellow agent, Joe Cesare. After graduation from the UA in 1968, Andy went to work for Tucson Realty & Trust under manager Jim May and owner George H Amos Sr. (Hank’s grandfather). Andy and Dan worked together there for 9-1/2 years before starting Lyons-Romo, Inc in 1977, with partner Lex Sears.
Andy is an 8th generation Tucsonan and currently manages a personal and family portfolio of commercial real estate holdings under the names of Romo Enterprises and Romo Investments. He developed the office building, where his office has been for 32 years, at 2730 E Broadway Blvd.
Dan believes he and Andy lived in the ‘Golden Age of Tucson’. They worked with all of the homebuilders responsible for transforming Tucson from a cow town to a modern city. When asked the secret to their success, Dan said, “The driving force for him was to just do something nice for his community.” Andy added for him, “The key to success was to just always keep it fair for both sides.” They both concurred, that having fun at what you do really helps too. They claim they never took themselves or anyone else for that matter too seriously.
With these comments, the CCIM Chapter of Southern Arizona welcomed the 2015 Legends: Dan Lyons and Andy Romo on Tuesday, February 10 at the CCIM Forecast Meeting with about 300 people in attendance.
See all the old news clips and more information on Dan Lyons and Andy Romo by clicking here: Legends Book 2015