UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Joe Abraham, principal and co-founder of Pergola Property Management in St. Paul, Minnesota, was recently named to the executive committee of the Penn State Real Estate Advisory Board.
The board includes business, government and education professionals who have an interest in promoting real estate education and scholarship at Penn State. Board members make a financial commitment to the college in support of Smeal’s Borrelli Institute for Real Estate Studies.
Abraham earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Penn State Smeal College of Business in 1992 and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh the following year. He spent 10 years in the packaging industry before pursuing a career in real estate.
Over the past 25 years, Pergola Property Management has acquired and managed midsize, urban apartment communities in need of rehabilitation as well as single- and multi-tenant commercial and retail assets.
Abraham has served two board terms for the Minnesota Multi-Housing Association, including seven years on the executive committee and a year as board chair. He has also served as legislative chair and is currently the association’s PAC co-chair.
Brent Ambrose, professor of real estate, Jason and Julie Borrelli Faculty Chair in Real Estate and director of the Borrelli Institute for Real Estate Studies, said Abraham’s commitment to providing affordable housing in urban and rural communities will be an asset to the board.
“Throughout his career, Joe has demonstrated that successful real estate investment and responsible stewardship can go hand in hand. His thoughtful approach to capital improvements, long-term ownership and community impact will add an important dimension to the board’s work,” Ambrose said.
While Penn State is a “big community,” Abraham said, he wanted to find a way to engage with a smaller, more connected group at the University. The Penn State Real Estate Advisory Board offered the perfect opportunity.
“Penn State alumni are active in every sector of real estate in every market in the country. With such widespread, diverse expertise, the board is positioned to help Smeal build the best curriculum and conduct the most relevant, impactful research,” he said. “Serving on the board offers an easy way to give back, sharing our lived experiences with the University and its students. I am excited to get involved.”
Donors and volunteers like Abraham advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development; and increasing the University’s impact for students, families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.