Exploring Life & Business with Lee Griffith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Griffith.

Hi Lee, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was Texas-born and New Mexico-raised and call Arizona home. Growing up in New Mexico was amazing. Culture runs deep there. Spanish, Mexican, and Native American influence is everywhere. The best food on the planet, beautiful blue skies, interesting architecture, and the arts are abundant.

I was raised in an absolute dichotomy. My mother was the gallery director for the well know Native American artist R.C. Gorman. She eventually bought the gallery from Gorman. Growing up in this environment exposed me to fine art and all that, that lifestyle brings along with it. Parties with celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elizabeth Taylor, Dyan Cannon, Martin Sheen, Tim Taylor, etc. On one occasion as a teen, I answered the phone at my mom’s gallery and a very direct, gruff, older man was on the other end wanting to make a purchase.

He led with “This is Senator Goldwater…”. I pulled the phone away from my ear and mumbled something about a grumpy old guy. Of course, she snatched the phone away from me at lightning speed and helped the Senator. My father sold massive rock-crushing equipment. I would spend summers with him touring around the Southwest as he made sales calls at large mines and construction sites. Dusty places, pickup trucks, boots, hard hats, and a long way from fine art. Something that I noticed was how these people weren’t only customers, they were his friends. Those were relationships cultivated over years, strengthened by fair trade, and long conversations that had little to do with business. On those road trips, my dad would impart wisdom to me, that went in one ear and out the other. Years later, of course, I wished I had listened, life would have been a little less bumpy I anticipate. The influence and the contrast of those two worlds made an incredible impression on me. Work and relationships go hand in hand, relationships matter. Also, dusty pickup trucks and fine art go together just fine.

Time moved along and I spend several unsuccessful semesters at the University of New Mexico. I was wired for fun and bored with anything that wasn’t geared for the same. I knew I needed a kick in the backend. After many conversations with my dad, the US Military was where I wanted to be. My father was a Vietnam veteran and had some incredibly grisly experiences as a helicopter door gunner and crew chief in the Army. He was not eager as I shared my idea, but eventually, he too agreed. His father, my grandfather, was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed, as he was attached to the US Army Air Corps. He survived, flew more than 100 bomber missions during WW2, returned home, and eventually retired from the US Air Force. My dad offered me the good advice of enlisting in a branch of service that would guarantee me a school.

The US Navy recruiter obliged and was awesome, you don’t hear that very often. Petty Officer Doug Simmons set me up for success. Several weeks later I was bound for Great Lakes, Il, and boot camp. The next stop after that was Operations Specialist A school in Dam Neck VA. Six months of Air, Surface, and Sub Surface naval warfare training was, to me, something out of a movie. I was a gung-ho sailor. Radar scopes, dark rooms, bandits, bogies, friendly contacts, and mock war games. I was crossing my fingers, and saying prayers that I would be assigned a West Coast aircraft carrier. I could hear San Diego calling my name. My wish was granted and I was to report to the USS Independence, CV 62 “Freedoms Flagship”, at Naval Station North Island, San Diego California. Palm trees, Coronado Island, and NAS North Island. I was home. The ship was amazing, she had a soul for sure. During my first year aboard we were at sea for nine of twelve months. At one point while participating in war games in the Indian Ocean we were diverted to the Persian Gulf as Iraq had invaded Kuwait. Our battle group was the first US Military unit on the station.

I was fortunate to have been immediately moved to Admiral Staff, Commander of Carrier Group One (now Carrier Strike Group One). I was assigned two British Nimrod aircraft and two American P3 Orion “Screaming Eagles” aircraft. They were to hunt suspected Iraqi tankers smuggling goods in the Gulf. They would report back to me and the team “Delta Sierra” and we’d deploy resources to investigate. Sometimes dropping Marines on decks, and having other US naval warships intercept by force. We were relieved of the watch in the Gulf by the USS Midway. We’d be home just in time for Christmas.

I rotated to my final duty station and was lucky enough (I can’t emphasize “lucky” enough here) to stay at North Island with my new command, FACSFAC. Fleet Area and Control Facility – call sign “Beaver Control”. FACSFAC is the overwatch for all things military and sometimes otherwise in the SoCal/NorCal Operations Area. Think the Pacific Ocean South to Mexico and North beyond LA and out a significant distance, air, and water. Great duty, a lot of fun, and sometimes a lot of excitement. Ultimately I knew, If I were to re-enlist for another 6 years, I’d be dumb for not making it 20 years and a career. I also knew that I’d be rotating back to sea and more years deployed. I loved the Navy but opted to exit. I’ve never regretted that decision, but I sure have debated it at times.

While going through boot camp, our company commander once said to us “After your time here, you will no longer talk the same, walk the same or feel the same. You are no longer a civilian. As a member of the United States Military you will be forever changed”. The impression the military left on me was indelible. That company commander knew exactly what he was talking about. As veterans, we’re often able to spot one another in a crowd or otherwise. It’s not always the haircut, language, tattoos, or dress…It’s just an air, a sense. That tie carries across all branches. We “know” one another and it’s meaningful.

Present day – Family, work, and fun. Not always in that order, or in the order I prefer them to be sometimes. The Valley of the Sun is amazing. I’m still working to serve my military brothers and sisters through my real estate business. While veterans aren’t our only business, they are a sizable portion.

In the spirit of continued service, we’re launching Pivot Ops Podcast by Vet Method. This is a Valley, veteran-centered podcast. Focusing on veteran entrepreneurs, nonprofits, leaders, achievers, and the paths and pivots taken by them as they themselves transitioned out of military life. We’ll be found on Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As I left the military, walking out of the front gate at Naval Air Station North Island, I thought “now what?”. I went home to New Mexico. Back to school, an odd variety of jobs that included time back in the art business and as an afternoon drive DJ for a well-known radio station.

Close family and friends had moved out of the state and I struggled a lot with “now what?”. Life felt like the target was always moving and I wasn’t even sure what the target was. Some of those friends and family moved to the Phoenix area, and I followed. Still trying to find my place. Phoenix was calling and the path became pretty clear.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Griffith Group and MilSpec Veteran Real Estate at My Home Group are one and the same. I specialize in residential real estate all over the valley. As I hear about agents that specialize in particular areas I frequently think “how do they do that”. I regularly have referrals from Surprise to San Tan and Scottsdale to Buckeye. And I love it all! My partner (life and business) Rachael, helps to keep it all balanced.

MilSpec – is the veteran-focused portion of our real estate business. Maricopa County has more VA transactions than any other county in the country except San Diego County, which only recently surpassed Maricopa. Veterans can have specific needs and questions. Especially if transferring duty stations and nuances related to the VA home loan.

We’re also launching Pivot Ops Podcast by Vet Method. This is a Valley, veteran-centered podcast. Focusing on veteran entrepreneurs, nonprofits, leaders, achievers, and the paths and pivots taken by them as they themselves transitioned out of military life. We’ll be found on Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The real estate market immediately changed when the Covid-19 crisis began. There was a run on real estate nearly like the immediate snapping up of toilet paper. More client interactions and the need to keep everyone healthy were challenging.

We began encountering multiple offers on homes, running spreadsheets for my listings to keep track of offers, negotiating, and communicating effectively became an absolute must. Especially for VA buyers who had loans that were zero down payment, and first-time home buyers who had little down – competing against cash buyers who were pouring into the state.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.milspecaz.com and www.vetmethod.us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivot_ops_by_vet_method/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lee.griffith.54/