Investment Matters: Michael Cohen on a Century of Family Business

Michael Cohen, Managing Partner, Williams Equities. Image courtesy of Williams Equities

In this episode of Investment Matters, Williams Equities Managing Principal Michael Cohen shares not only insights into the nation’s largest office market, but also a colorful company history that predates the Great Depression. Since its co-founding in 1926 by Victor Cohen, our guest’s grandfather, the firm has journeyed from up-and-coming brokerage to generational owner. One asset has been in the company portfolio for 70 years and counting. Another property played a featured role in a hit Tom Hanks movie and has been seen by audiences around the world.

Cohen himself has worn many hats during his four decades: broker, asset manager, entrepreneur and owner. He reminisces about starting his career as an office leasing agent, equipped with a desk and a phone during the analog era. It was a challenging and, at times, even humbling education, but as Cohen observes, it was also “a great way to learn the deal side of the business.”

Today, he leads Williams Equities in close collaboration with his fellow managing principals, Andy Roos and Rob Getreau. He is also president of Colliers International’s Tri-State region. Previously, Cohen has served as chairman of GVA Worldwide Ltd., a global partnership. And one more distinctive role: A lifelong theater devotee, Cohen is also a Tony Award-winning producer of a hit Broadway musical.

Highlights of this episode include:

• “Seeing around corners” as a generational owner (1:43)
• The Williams Equities origin story (4:21)
• The power of long-term holds (6:00)
• Learning the ropes in the desk-and-phone days (9:31)
• A Williams Equities property goes Hollywood (17:12)
• From theater buff to Tony Award winner (19:51)
• Championing the arts—doing well, doing good (21:59)
• How New York City’s office market remakes itself (23:54)
• “If you are going to ride through ups and downs … you need to be able to meet the market” (32:14)
• Autonomy meets collaboration in leadership (36:58)
• Off the clock: 30 years of Monday night poker (39:20)

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