Locality's Keith Costello sits down with South Florida's own entrepreneurial icon, Alan B. Levan, Chairman of BBX Capital. Alan shares his incredible journey from starting in his family's pest control business to becoming a real estate mogul and a legendary banker.
Key topics covered:
- Early Beginnings: Moving from Brooklyn to Florida at 15 and how it transformed his outlook.
- Entrepreneurial Roots: Transitioning from his father's pest control business to real estate development in his mid-20s.
- Real Estate Success: Raising $100 million in 1972 and navigating the 1970s recession by anticipating market shifts.
- Banking Ventures: Transforming Atlantic Federal Savings and Loan into the highly successful BankAtlantic, introducing seven-day banking, and prioritizing customer service.
- Overcoming Adversity: The harrowing experience of his wife’s kidnapping and how it reshaped their lives and commitment to community service.
- Legal Battles and Perseverance: Facing a 10-year SEC investigation and the importance of integrity and resilience in business.
- Life Lessons: The significance of assessing downside risks, the power of perseverance, and giving back to the community.
