Bakersfield, Calif., real estate firm co-owner
steps down as chief broker
The co-owner of prominent Bakersfield company Crisp
& Cole Real Estate said Thursday he has stepped
down as chief broker but that he remains a partner
in the firm.
Carl Cole, who is 60, said the move was amicable
and that he hopes to ease up on his work schedule.
His health also was a factor in the decision, he said,
as was his desire to spend more time with his family.
"I'm getting in the slow lane," said Cole,
who was in Florida at a business conference with several
Crisp & Cole associates.
Rumors have circulated in recent months that Cole
his business partner, David Crisp, were butting heads,
that the company was on the brink of falling apart.
Both men have repeatedly said there's no truth to
these rumors.
"We argue like married people," Cole said.
"This has nothing to do with any kind of falling
out or anything," he said. "It's time for
me."
Crisp said he and Cole made the decision together,
and that the change was "just (Cole) wanting
to slow down."
Cole said he is focusing on the company's $350 million
proposal to build two mixed-use towers on the campus
of Cal State Bakersfield. The plan calls for office
and retail space, restaurants, condos and a hotel
inside the buildings.
"He's running that whole thing," said Crisp.
Cole is no longer the broker on record at Crisp &
Cole. Instead, he has signed on to work as the broker
at his son's Bakersfield business, Points West Realty.
Cole said he is not competing against himself by
working with his son, and Crisp concurred. Both said
Points West is significantly different from Crisp
& Cole: It's a small, traditional real estate
office that doesn't advertise on TV or maintain a
high profile.
Crisp, 27, said Cole is basically helping his son
out, the way he once did for Crisp.
A broker is licensed to negotiate real estate deals.
At Crisp & Cole, it's a huge responsibility, Cole
said. The company has 25 real estate agents.
Cole said he started telling his colleagues a few
months ago that, at some point soon, he was going
to have to slow down.
"This is all good for me," Cole said. "I'm
still involved in the companies but I'm not involved
in the day-to-day decisions."
In addition to Crisp & Cole Real Estate, the
men operate Tower Lending and Platinum Investments.
Jack Doremus has taken over Cole's brokerage duties
at Crisp & Cole.
