It’s no secret that our country, our state, and our valley are experiencing unusually challenging economic times. Yet for Brighton Corporation, 2010 has been a year of growth and progress. Founded in 1968, Brighton Corporation has weathered a few economic downturns over four decades, including a very severe recession in the late 70’s and early 80’s. When I joined the company in 1990, my partner and founder, Tom Tomlinson, taught me a very valuable lesson by asking the simple and perhaps most overused question in the business: “What are the three keys to success in real estate?” Of course I answered as he expected, “Location, location, location.” “Wrong”, said Tom. “It’s location, timing and staying power.”

I have never forgotten those words and I attribute the success of Brighton Corporation and its affiliated companies to my partner’s sage counsel. When the economy is booming it can be easy to forget those fundamental precepts – and many did. When times are too good some pretty poor decisions and business practices can be covered up. But as Warren Buffett said a couple of years ago, “It’s only when the tide goes out that you learn who’s been swimming naked.” Today you can find a lot of distressed developments that are poorly located, poorly timed and overburdened with debt. Conversely, there are a few that stand the test of time and weather the economic storm.

Brighton is successfully navigating today’s challenging economy as it has always done, by focusing our investment and development activities in premium locations. The recent timely acquisition of properties such as SpurWing Greens and Tuscany are further testament of our philosophy. And finally, Brighton’s financial staying power gives us the ability to invest for the future of our company and our clients. These are important considerations when choosing your family’s next home or your company’s next headquarters.

David Turnbull
President