THE SPECS: Company: Infinity Commercial Real Estate Location: Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Fla. Property Type: Industrial Specialist Year Built with SIOR: 1999

OVERVIEW - Why He’s the Real Deal

John Dohm, SIOR, has an illustrious commercial real estate career that spans more than 30 years. He’s one of the few to hold the SIOR, CCIM, and CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designations, as well as major security licenses. When he isn’t overachieving in collecting acronyms to add to his name, he’s serving on Boards and advising economic development companies, and finding ways to improve the community around him. But prior to this, he spent a whole other life as a symphony musician, playing string bass for the Philharmonic, operas, and ballets. He’s more than just an SIOR.

HIGHLIGHTS - Get to Know John

SIOR Report: What’s something most people would be surprised to know about you?
John Dohm, SIOR: While I was a symphony musician (string bass) for half of my life , I don’t play the piano and can’t sing very well, although I do like trying (and I’m still determined to learn to play) the piano.

SR: What’s been your strangest job and why?
JD: I think that the strangest job I ever had was playing the bass at a recording studio in Miami for the soundtrack of a horror movie called “The Night Daniel Died.” It was more “sound effects” than music, and most of the score wasn’t written as notes but as words, like “make suspenseful sound…multi-octaves.” We used every part of the instruments and the cases.

SR: What is a unique skill that sets you apart from others?
JD: Identifying interrelationships between people, the built environment, and our creations. We spend a lot of time living and working in silos; but a silo can become a lookout tower or a lighthouse if you just climb up to the top and look around once in a while.

SR: What is a life skill you wish you had cultivated more?
JD: Languages. I wish I had learned foreign languages. Maybe it’s not too late? Speed-reading would be good, too.

SR: What’s something that recently made you smile?
JD: Watching a kitten and dog make friends and play with a string together.

SR: What’s the closest thing to real magic?
JD: The kindness of strangers.

SR: If you could choose your age forever, past, present or future, which would it be and why?
JD: Nineteen. Thought that I could do anything then (and probably could).

SR: What are some causes you care about?
JD: I really work hard to make a positive difference where I can; and especially where others do not. My interests are around making a better future in the areas that intersect my areas of expertise, particularly real estate and transportation.

SR: Would you rather ride a bike, horse, or in a car?
JD: Give me a horse, any day, any time. Forty years ago, I had a ranch in the farmlands of Miami. My favorite horse was Winnie Pooh. I named him that because my stepdaughter loved the name, and all he did was whinny and poo. He did bring me home one night when I drank too much and got lost. The car or bike never would have made it.

SR: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
JD: Let someone else try that first.

SR: What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?
JD: Let someone else try that first.