BRYCE GREFE – PRINCIPAL OWNER/ VICE PRESIDENT
Mr. Bryce Grefe, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, entered the
Self Storage business in 1978 as a co-founder of Mini- Storage Companies.
Mini-Storage Companies, in addition to operating projects of their own,
rapidly became a major factor in the Self Storage consulting business, on a
national level. Specializing in site and market feasibility studies,
coupled with design and implementation of specific operational plans for a
wide variety of self storage projects throughout the nation.In 1985,
Grefe joined two Miami, Florida developers to build and operate self
storage in the south Florida region. Here Grefe was instrumental in site
selection, design, development, and above all, operations and management
for four projects totaling in excess of 400,000 square feet of self
storage. Mr. Grefe was also the architect of a unique and complimentary
development scheme which incorporated the use of self storage projects in
concert with small incubator office/warehouse space, as an accent to
several existing and emerging self storage projects. This concept was
responsible for both developing a definite up scale image for the project,
as well as, resulting in a lease up schedule which matured significantly
sooner than projected.
In 1987, Grefe joined a major New England self storage company to
develop and operate projects in the Northeast corridor. Grefe was
instrumental in the development and operation of 800,000 square feet of
self storage composed of 13 projects in six states. In addition to his
comprehensive experience, Grefe became intimately familiar with the
Northeast corridor markets, giving him a clear insight to the developmental
problems and the management methods required to be successful in developing
projects in the New England environment.
In 1988, Grefe embarked on a course as an independent consultant with an
eye to becoming a participatory operator on a equity basis as well. A
testament to Mr. Grefe's qualifications within this industry is readily
supported by the fact that he is a highly sought after speaker for the self
storage business. In 1988 alone he has spoken four times for the National
Mini Storage Institute and at two major seminars for the Self Storage
Association.
In 1990 Mr. Grefe joined forces with David Inman and Storage Investment
Management, Inc. a Minneapolis MN based company. The enterprise has the
purpose of consolidating and furthering the joint management and consulting
capabilities throughout the North East, Mid-West and Mid-Atlantic
Corridors. Currently SIMI has management responsibilities for approximately
950,000 square feet of Self Storage rental space.
In 1992 Grefe and Inman joined forces with a Boston, MA Investment Group
with the purpose of acquiring Self Storage facilities throughout the North
East. Through judicial usage of both cash and debt, the group has acquired
14 facilities with approximately 675,000 square feet of rentable space. In
1997 the group filed a Federal Trademark for the name Planet Self Storage.
Current and future self storage projects will operate under this name. In
addition to the on-going acquisitions, additional development opportunities
are being pursued. |
