Marty Almquist
Class of 1999
A commercial real estate broker, Almquist has negotiated some massive deals over the course of her career, which has included stints at Grubb & Ellis, Equity Office Properties, Cassidy Turley, Avison Young (where she was a principal) and now Meany & Oliver. She’s also used her talents for the greater good. Serving as a member and chair of the Arlington Economic Development Commission and various county task forces and nonprofit boards, she helped stem the fallout from BRAC (office vacancies skyrocketed, but might have been far worse), laid the groundwork for a Crystal City renaissance and advocated for more affordable housing. She has also provided pro bono assistance to some of Arlington’s most impactful nonprofits (Phoenix House, Arlington Free Clinic, Doorways for Women and Families), helping them find space and negotiate manageable leases. Somehow she’s also found the time to write two novels.
“Office vacancy rates remain high. County staff and building owners need to shed their preconceptions and think about what’s actually needed. Maybe that means converting office buildings into flexible structures that can be used for office or residential. Let’s open our minds. The financing is tough for building owners. We need out-of-the box thinking.”—Marty Almquist
