Name: Terri Sokoloff

Company/Organization: Specialty Group

Current position (and what do you do) and for how long: President & Broker. I started Specialty Group with my husband, Ned, in 1986. Now, 36 years later, our son, Sidney, is steering the ship. Specialty Group was created as a one-stop-shop to sell bar/restaurant businesses and real estate, broker liquor licenses, in-house lending programs, and PLCB transfer and filing services in Pennsylvania. I currently oversee the Restaurant Brokerage and Real Estate Division.

Place of birth/hometown: Long Beach, California.  Hometown: Pittsburgh

School attended: University of Pittsburgh

The most satisfying part of my job: Being able to accomplish our client’s goal is having to sell a business or helping someone dream to have their own business.

Your strongest leadership quality: Integrity

Career/Leadership advice: Follow your own path, and create your own lane.  Pick your battles fight your wars.

Who do you most admire and why: Volodymyr Zelensky, his bravery and commitment to his nation.

Goal yet to be achieved: Tour Israel & Egypt

What is the coolest real estate project/land use challenge you have participated in? We had a lot of fun when we handled the sale of the iconic Arsenal Lanes.  Having multiple businesses under the same roof and space over 20,000 sq ft.  The first time, we had hundreds of pairs of shoes on an asset list.

Favorite quote: “The optimist says it’s half-full, the pessimist says it’s half-empty, the opportunist says who cares? It’s half-price!”

Last book read or movie watched: Book – Think Like a Monk – Jay Shetty, The Bad Vegan- Documentary on Netflix.

Favorite vacation spot: Palm Desert, California

Favorite cause: The O’Noir Foundation (Sidney’s Non-Profit Organization) helps benefit homeless and displaced LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.

Favorite restaurant: G’s on Liberty (we have worked with Grainne on multiple restaurants.) unfair question for me.

Family: Husband- Ned, Son- Sidney

Hobbies/Interests: Golf, Shooting, Mini Cooper-Enthusiast, Meditation, Reading, Dog Lover (2 grand-puppies), and walking.

Why I belong to ULI: The programs I have attended over the years have always been quality, with a nice variety of national speakers and educational pieces. The professionals I have interacted with have been respected leaders in their fields.

Why ULI is important to me and my career/company: The Women’s Leadership Initiative has been an extraordinary opportunity to raise visibility and the number of female leaders in our industry. Having relationships with other professionals in the industry is important to me.