Developer’s Philosophy is to Blend, not to Change

By Jerome Obermark
– The Commercial Appeal –

Doug Dickens

Title: Vice president for special residential projects. Company: Boyle Investment Co., a large real estate development, management, sales and leasing firm founded in 1933. Date of birth: January 3, 1944 Hometown: Memphis Education: Graduate of East High School, 1962; BBA, University of Memphis, 1966. Personal: Married to Linda; four sons, Andrew, 27; Jon, 25; Blake, 22; and Chris, 20. Civic involvement: Former deacon at Central Church and former board member of Evangelical Christian School.

The Details

First job: Mortgage banker with Joyner, Heard & Jones. Eventually became an officer in the company, and partnered with the principals to develop subdivisions throughout Germantown from 1969 to 1979.

Most recent job: Just recently joined Boyle Investment Co. Prior to this was self-employed as a real estate developer for more than 20 years.

Career highlights: As a pioneer in residential in-fill real estate development, worked with the Memphis Public Works division to modify the subdivision ordinance to create the planned development ordinance in 1979. Developed the first private planned development in Memphis, Pidgeon Hall, and the first zero-lot line development with attached units, Windover Grove.

Most satisfying career moment: “As a developer of more than 30 planned developments across the Memphis area, it is been most satisfying to succeed in blending into what’s already there and joining the current neighborhood rather than changing it. I’ve also been fortunate to partner with one the best, including Hank Hill, John Ashworth, Carson Looney, Russell Kostka, Boyle, and Patton, Taylor & Ryan.”

Career advice: “Try to make every day a game. Always strive to do the best you can do, and then be happy with the results.”

Comments: “If you want to be a professional, you must leave yourself room for error because professionals have to play every day.”

Person I most admire: “Dick Bradley, a brick and stone contractor, because he communicates with you every day, tells the truth and fixes his mistakes before you even know about them.”

Hobbies: “My children.”

Last Book read: “I read the Bible every day, and Proverbs is my favorite book…. In addition, I’m reading When Your Kids Aren’t Kids Anymore by Jerry White.”

Change I would like to see: “The re-establishment of true guidelines in our society. Today’s standards are so hazy, it’s difficult for anyone to know the difference between what’s right or wrong.”