BRYCE GREFE - OWNER
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. |