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Fraser never lets fear get in the way of learning
By Scott Miller
Staff Writer
Chris Fraser’s reach stretches far beyond the realm of commercial real estate in the Lowcountry.
The cofounder of Grubb & Ellis Barkley Fraser in Charleston has also made a name for himself as a dancer on the ballet stage, as a performer in the Piccolo Spoleto festival, as a triathlete and, soon, as a chef. He’ll graduate with a culinary arts degree from Trident Technical College in May.
“I go to the grocery store everyday on the way home and walk through the store to decide what to cook,” he said.
It’s a constant learning process, complementing his insatiable thirst for knowledge. He’s still thinking about what to study after receiving his culinary arts degree, and after consulting with his wife, of course.
His lifelong pursuit of knowledge makes him a nice fit to chair The Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization within the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.
The foundation serves as a gathering place where academia meets the business world, where employers can help grow their future work force by letting school leaders know what skills to teach.
The relationships between the business and academic communities develop internships and career development for students, curriculum ideas for school officials and, ultimately, a more prepared work force for businesses.
Fraser hopes to expand the foundation’s visibility to get more businesses involved and to inspire more young people.
“You’ve got to learn all the way, or what are you doing?” Fraser said, hoping to light a fire in South Carolina youngsters wondering what their futures hold. “Frankly, our kids are bored.”
That’s never been a problem for Fraser. Holding a long list of accolades and life experiences, he isn’t afraid to be a role model for children.
Through a jagged career path, Fraser has been a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business, past president of the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors and member of the National Association of Realtors, among other trade groups.
In addition to his role on the foundation, he also serves as chairman of the S.C. State Housing Finance and Development Authority and treasurer of The Educational Finance Corp.
Professionally, Grubb & Ellis credits Fraser with leasing “several hundred thousand square feet” of office space in the Charleston region and with developing more than $100 million in office, hospitality and sports facilities in the past 10 years. The global real estate firm named
Fraser one of the company’s top producers at its Annual Circle of Excellence Awards.
Professional credits aside, perhaps Fraser’s greatest asset for his role with the foundation is his appreciation for the challenges facing young people. He understands the uncertainty many young people face when determining a career path because he faced the same challenges.
When graduating high school, the Jacksonville, Fla., native didn’t intend to work in real estate. He ended up there after seeing a late-night infomercial about making money in the real estate market.
His journey started in the military. He didn’t go to a four-year university. Fraser joined the Navy instead, completing a rigorous program to become a nuclear engineer. The job brought him to Charleston 30 years ago to work on submarines.
While there, a friend convinced him to take ballet. He did, ultimately dancing for five years in the Robert Ivey Ballet. That fondness for the stage also landed him a role in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. In the popular West Side Story musical, Fraser played Riff, the hot-tempered gang leader of the Jets.
“Singing is not my thing,” Fraser recalls.
But he did it anyway. No fear.
When his singing and dancing career fizzled, Fraser trained to compete in triathlons because he wanted to stay in shape. It was another goal to achieve.
His military career, meanwhile, was reaching a pinnacle. Fraser had larger aspirations, particularly in the area of pay. One night, he watched an infomercial about making money in real estate. He studied, got his accreditation, worked for a couple of Charleston companies before co-founding Barkley Fraser in 1989, concentrating solely on commercial real estate.
The company later merged with Grubb & Ellis, a global firm founded in northern California.
He did it all without a four-year degree.
“College isn’t for everybody, and a four-year college isn’t for everybody. Some good paying jobs are available to people with certificates or two-year degrees,” said Fraser, who has three children himself, a 20-year-old daughter, a 15-year-old son and a 15-year-old stepson.
“What I want them to do is find something they’re passionate about. It doesn’t matter how much you make if you don’t like what you do.”
Through his role with The Education Foundation, that’s what Fraser wants for all children, not just his own.
“The real point of (education) is connecting kids with why they’re even there in the first place,” he said.
Scott Miller is a staff writer with the Business Journal. E-mail him at smiller@setcommedia.com.
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