Posted April 18, 2016 by Editorial Staff in Photo

[PROFILE] In 25 Words or Less: Alan Dones (Real Estate Development)

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Key Influencers • Arts, Community and Business Leaders • Bay Area Personalities • Industry Experts.
What makes them tick? Find out . . .
In 25 Words or Less

Updated: March 18, 2016
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THE BASICS

Editor’s Note: Alan is one of the most accomplished African American real estate development professionals in Northern California, currently managing or developing over $1.5 billion in development projects.

Name: Alan Dones
Age: Mature • Status: Single • Kids: No
Place of Birth: Oakland, CA • Place Raised: Oakland, Berkeley & El Cerrito, CA
Professional Background: Alan Dones, Managing Partner of SUDA, LLC, specializing in large-scale, innovative, public, private partnerships in construction and mixed-use development. He is a long-time entrepreneur, a licensed general engineering construction contractor, and community advocate of equal opportunity in employment and contracting.
What achievement or position are you most known for? Developer of Major Mixed-Use Developments in Oakland
Contact/Follow: Website • Email
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25 WORDS OR LESS: WORK

Job(s) held that is most unlike what I currently do now: Musician (Bass) and Published Song Writer
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Field #1: Real Estate Development
Yrs of Experience: 20
Title: Managing Partner
Company: Strategic Urban Development Alliance, LLC (SUDA) – Oakland, CA
What it does and what I do: Real Estate Development
Current Big Project: Various Mixed Use Developments in Oakland’s Uptown District – Mandela Village at West Oakland BART Station.
Staffing/Resource Needs: Summer Interns Needed
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Field #2: General Engineering Construction Contractor
Yrs of Experience: 32
Title: CEO
Company: ADCo, Inc. – Oakland, CA
What it does and what I do: Engineering Construction Contractor
Current Big Project: OUSD School Lease Leasback Projects & East Bay MUD Large Diameter Pipe Rehabilitation.
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25 WORDS OR LESS: PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Significant Challenge: Managing pragmatic and efficient organizational growth with limited capital resources.
Significant Mistake/Regret: Inability to raise the capital required to close on a real estate transaction.
Significant Accomplishment: Bouncing back from business adversity to successfully complete my largest development project in downtown Oakland’s Uptown District.
Biggest Strength(s): Perseverance and the ability to transmute adversity into strength.
Biggest Weakness(es): Difficulty saying no when necessary.
Career Advice: Always focus on creating value for everyone that you come in contact with. All the world covets their MVPs.
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25 WORDS OR LESS: PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

Significant Challenge: Staying relatively balanced – spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Significant Accomplishment: Staying relatively balanced – spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Life Advice: T’is better to give than to receive. It’s also OK to give generously-for selfish reasons!
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25 WORDS OR LESS: OFF THE TOP

Trait(s) most admired in others: An attitude of gratitude!
Some causes/organizations I support: Child development and education
*Hours of “personal” downtime/week:* 10
Favorite activity(s) in my personal downtime: Study of music composition and arrangement
Some of my favorite local hangouts: Pican, 1300, SF Jazz and Yoshi’s
Some of my favorite TV shows: CNN, KQED FM, Mornings on 2
Favorite Vacation Spot(s): Maui
Place(s) I would like to visit: Bai Brazil
Favorite Pastime/Hobby(s): Music Composition
Favorite Book(s): The Half Has Never Been Told, by Edward Baptist (currently)
Some of my most-admired people (excluding parents): Nelson Mandela
Something about me that may surprise you: Never married…