Intern Spotlight: Daniel Press and Daniel Pollack Reflect on Their Summer at Demetree Global

This summer, Demetree Global had the privilege of hosting two outstanding interns, Daniel Press and Daniel Pollack. Both college students with a passion for real estate, Daniel and Daniel spent five weeks immersing themselves in various departments, gaining a comprehensive understanding of our business and making meaningful contributions to our team's success.

Daniel Press, a student at Drexel University, delved deeply into the Property Management department during his internship. He gained hands-on experience by reviewing rent rolls, identifying payment issues, and even participating in property tours with a lender's inspector. Additionally, Daniel broadened his expertise in Construction Management, where he learned about the intricacies of property development, including challenges related to air and plumbing systems.

Daniel Pollack, a student at Yeshiva University who also holds a real estate license, focused much of his time on Property Management as well. He familiarized himself with ledgers and lease agreements, which provided him with a solid foundation in real estate management. Despite starting with limited knowledge, Daniel's understanding of property management, development, and accounting grew significantly over the course of his internship.

One of the most impactful experiences for both Daniels was their day spent with Alexies Escotto, our Vice President of Family Office Accounting at Demetree Global. Alexies described their time together as a deep dive into the fundamentals of accounting, covering everything from basic debits and credits to more complex financial statements like income statements and balance sheets. Reflecting on his time with the interns, Alexies shared, “During our time together, we explored the basics of accounting, discussed real-world applications, and touched on topics ranging from stock market activity to real estate development and tax concepts. Our interns were eager to learn, constantly asking insightful questions and seeking to understand how these concepts applied in real-world scenarios.” Alexies also guided them through the daily responsibilities of an accountant at Demetree, including treasury management, approving payables, and booking journal entries. The interns were particularly engaged in discussions about personal and business taxes, where they explored topics like tax brackets, 1031 exchanges, and capital gains tax. The day sparked a strong interest in acquisitions and construction management for Daniel Press, areas he hopes to explore further in his career.
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Beyond their experience with Alexies, our interns were truly impressed by Demetree Global's rich history and its contributions to the community. They learned about our philanthropic efforts, including our support for organizations like Boys Town and Young Life, which highlighted our commitment to making a positive impact. Daniel Pollack noted how learning about the company’s 75+ year legacy early in the internship shifted their perspective, saying, "We realized that Demetree Global is more than just a business—it’s a company that genuinely cares about the well-being of all Central Florida residents." Both Daniels appreciated the vital role every department plays in the company’s success and were struck by the supportive, family-like culture where each team member is dedicated to helping one another grow.

As Daniel Press prepares to pursue his interest in real estate, particularly in construction management and acquisitions, and Daniel Pollack heads to college with a clearer vision of his future in real estate, they both offer advice to future interns: Embrace every learning opportunity, ask questions, and make the most of the lessons you're taught. Even small, seemingly irrelevant details can add up to a comprehensive understanding of the business.

We’re incredibly proud of the progress and contributions made by Daniel Press and Daniel Pollack during their internships. Their experiences underscore the importance of hands-on learning and the positive impact that Demetree Global’s team has on nurturing future talent. We wish them both the best in their future endeavors and are excited to see where their careers take them!

_{Published: August 9, 2024}