Andrew founded Two Rivers REIA of Central IA, in 2006, now a subgroup of IaREIA (Iowa Real Estate Investors Association). In 2012, he assumed responsibilities as Executive Director of a second real estate investor association, the Iowa Landlord Association which is now a subgroup of IaREIA, as well.
Prior to these roles, Andrew invested 12 years as a Licensed Real Estate agent, from 1978-1983, and 2005-2013. It was during this first tenure that he invested in Real Estate rentals. This started a journey through the School of Hard Knocks (while building a portfolio to 10 single families and a Tri-Plex) which ultimately lead to his current passion to help others through forming an association for RE Entrepreneurs. Real Estate Investors need to get started on the right foot, avoid the pitfalls that abound in the business, and form relationships with other investors that will help guide decisions to be prudent ones, with long term benefits.
From his Congressional Appointment into the US Merchant Marine Academy in 1969, to a full fellowship to the MBA program at Drake University -- where he completed that program in 1983 -- a passion for education lead to a 20-year career in information technology. From 1983-2003, including 14 years as a small business owner of a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) of multi-user accounting systems -- representing Novell, Altos, IBM -- and eventually Skyline Property Management systems, the company installed property management systems into some of the largest companies in the midwest.
It is through this understanding of this trifecta of background experience - Real Estate Sales and Investment, a passion for implementation of Information Technology, and the entrepreneurial demands of Business Ownership -- that he has risen from the ashes to develop the "Joy of Life/Work Balance" philosophy; a philosophy which now fuels his passion for building IaREIA to become a Chapter of National REIA.
Today, Andrew devotes his focus to engaging others to face the facts -- that to succeed in Real Estate Investing, property owners and managers must adopt strict Standard Operating Procedures, perform world-class quality of background checks on applicants, develop strategies to buy right, renovate right, exercise the requisite personal disciplines to manage right, then to attract success because of the person they have become.
Andrew has been been in a committed, married relationship for 27 years, to his wife, Joan O'Brien, has three adult children, Hannah, Rebecca and Drew, and four grandchildren - Mekhi, Titus, Niah, and Monroe -- all the best grandchildren he could possibly want.