Alex Ruiz

Picerne Real Estate Group

By Leah Etling on May 25, 2012 in People

With a long history in property management that started in his hometown of New York City, Alex Ruiz of Picerne Real Estate Group is on top of the latest developments in tax credit, project-based Section 8, and public housing agency regulations. Alex was one of the many terrific clients to join us for training at YASC DC this week.

He coordinates the use of Yardi products for 128 properties in Picerne’s affordable management division, trains on-site property management staff on how to use Yardi’s systems, and picks up compliance paperwork duty as needed.

“It’s an IT job but it’s not really an IT job,” Alex told us. “I get to do a little bit of everything. I visit the properties, interact with the staff, listen to their recommendations, and find out what they want Yardi to do for them. I’m an accountant one day and an IT person the next.”

He’s made great use of his former experiences as a property manager, both in New York City and Orlando, in order to better serve his coworkers’ IT needs and implement software and report-writing customizations that allow them to do their jobs more efficiently.

“When someone comes with a request or wants to see something in Yardi, I can think the process through from the end user’s perspective,” he said. “And when I do Yardi training, I understand what they go through.  When people come into IT straight out of school, they just know the database side, and not the day to day operations for property management or accounting or finance.”

One of his major goals is moving the Picerne properties he works with toward a paperless office, which can be tough when compliance requires so much paper work. Procure to Pay is the next product he plans to implement to meet that goal.

“(Procure to Pay) and check scanning should eliminate some of the bank runs and free them up to focus more on the property,” Alex noted.

Affordable housing is just one area of expertise for Picerne, which  also has a strong military housing branch. The company was recently awarded a No. 1 ranking in a national resident satisfaction survey and independently awarded a trip to the White House for foundation work on behalf of military families.

Alex is among the capable team members who allow the company to effectively serve a wide variety of clients and residents. In his free time, he enjoys urban Florida nightlife, including trips to Miami, and travel. Puerto Rico is among the Picerne property locations that he most enjoys visiting, due to the beautiful rainforests and waterfalls. Staying in touch with his hometown, Alex takes frequent trips home to New York City to see his family in the Bronx.

 Learn more about Alex:

What is your favorite type of music?

I am a fan of all types of music but I usually go more towards: Light rock, R&B, Salsa, Merengue, Raggaeton, classical and old school Freestyle

What is your favorite book of all time and (optional: why)?

I am a big fan of all of Ed McBain books…the majority are 87^th Precinct police – procedural novels, these novels sparked some knockoffs TV dramas such as Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue and The Shield.

If you have an hour of free time to spare, what do you do with it?

I would do some form of Transcendental Meditation.

What kinds of food do you like?

I like Pasta and/or Pizza

Where is the most interesting place you’ve ever traveled?

I am not much of a traveler but I will say Puerto Rico as I just loved the rain forest

What do you like best about your job?

Everything…I say that only because I get to do a little of everything and that breaks up the monotony

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or historical, who would it be?

Probably our forefathers, just want them to see where we are at in the timeline.

What are the words you live by?

Whatever life throws at you, YOU can choose not to be a victim

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A junkie (just kidding)…I wanted to be a train motorman

Do you speak any other languages, and which ones?

Spanish

If you could own one piece of famous art, sculpture, memorabilia or historic artifact, what would the item be?

Have a piece of Jimmy Hoffa (joking)…The Declaration of Independence

What are some things on your bucket list?

Go to England

What was your last Do It Yourself project?

This assignment (does that count?)

What athlete or sports figure do you most admire?

I do not admire athletes or sports figures but I am just a huge NY Yankee fan

What online sites do you visit?

After working the computer all day, I am not on the internet much after work.  The sites I do visit most are Yardi and local supermarkets sites for the sales as well as local stores. I like to do my shopping online before I visit the store.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?

This is kind of like cheating, here Goes.
Control of the four elements: Water, Fire, Air and Earth.
You can Control Everything, You can Shape shift, Fly, etc.

What’s something about you that few people know?

I hate doing this sheet (kidding)…If I tell you then everyone will know so I won’t say the real answer.

I like to look out for the people that I know whether they know it or not.