RESUME
Name: Craig Irving.
Company: The Irving Group.
Title(s): President and founder.
No. of employees: 15.
Year founded: 1989.
Education: Bachelor of Science in business administration from University of Southern California in 1984.
Birthplace: San Diego.
Age: 49.
Current residence: Point Loma.
Family: Wife, Rebecca Irving; Children — Jessica, Kelly, Jennifer, Ryan and Amy.
Craig Irving, a third generation San Diegan, has made a significant contribution to the business and charitable community of San Diego for over 25 years. He runs The Irving Group, a respected commercial real estate company. Irving has donated and raised millions of dollars for local charities, and he has been an active board member and chairman of many nonprofits, including the Naval Special Warfare Family Foundation, which supports the families of active duty Navy SEALs who have been killed or injured in battle; assists the wounded with special needs; and provides needed support to the families of active-duty SEALs who are away from home for extended periods of time.
BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY
Essential business philosophy: Always keep your client’s interests ahead of your own.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Work harder and smarter than your competition.
Guiding principles: Honesty and integrity.
Yardsticks of success: Satisfied clients, repeat business, and a solid reputation throughout the community.
Goals yet to be achieved: To have raised our children to be responsible, happy, self-reliant adults that will make positive contributions to society.
JUDGMENT CALLS
Best business decision: Choosing to exclusively represent tenants in my professional real estate career over 20 years ago.
Worst business decision: Second guessing my gut instincts.
Toughest business decision: Terminating quality employees.
Biggest missed opportunity: No regrets.
Mentor: My dad, Judge J. Lawrence Irving, and John Donovan.
Word that describes you: Determined.
TRUE CONFESSIONS
What you like best about your job: Protecting my clients’ best interests.
What you like least about your job: Losing business to unethical competitors.
Pet peeves: Arrogant people.
Most important lesson learned: Never compromise your values.
Person most interested in meeting: Bono, singer, songwriter.
Three greatest passions: Family, surfing, fly-fishing.
First choice for a new career: Teacher.
PREDILECTIONS
Favorite quote: “Seize the day.”
Most influential book: “The Forgotten Man,” by Amity Shlaes.
Favorite status symbol: My 1967 VW Bus
Favorite restaurant: Any Cohn restaurant
Favorite place for business meetings: Hob Nob Hill.
Favorite vacation spot: Kona Village, Hawaii.
Favorite way to spend time: With my family.
