Whatever possessed twenty three year old Jerry Blonder, with absolutely no experience in the industry, to make the decision to get into the development and construction business in the fall of 1954? "The banker who helped finance our first project on Briarcliff Road asked me that question," Jerry Blonder once said. "I told him that what I lacked in knowledge and experience I planned to make up for with hard work, fair business practices, an emphasis on quality and loyalty to my employees and subcontractors." Those principles became the foundation of the development, construction and management company that Jerry Blonder led for thirty-four years — building a career and a company that inspired and apartment industry to do great work. The legacy of Jerry Blonder, who passed away in 2005, is carried by his son Michael, who heads Focus Development, Inc. Michael began working with his father after school as a 14 year old teenager. "I don't believe there is any part of this business I haven't had my hands on," he says. "From the ground up, I have experienced all levels of the construction business. By the time I started Focus Group, overseeing the development, construction and management of a project was second nature to me." In February 1988, Michael formed Focus Group. The company's mission was to develop, construct and manage quality multi-family housing. Says Michael, "I wanted to start my own business because it's in my blood. I like the people. I like that there's a different challenge every single day. It's such a great feeling of accomplishment to begin with a plot of ground and end up with a high quality multi-family community that people can enjoy and build their lives around." Today, the responsibility of Focus is development and construction — to ensure that its apartment homes and condominiums are located in healthy neighborhoods, are designed with impeccable taste, and are built to the highest possible standards. Among it's current projects are a beautiful riverfront development in Knoxville, Tennessee; new apartment homes in Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia; and condominium conversions in Atlanta, Georgia and Ocean Springs, Mississippi. "In the course of the 31 years I've been in this industry we've gone through every imaginable scenario — from bull markets to deep recessions. By sticking with the basics, our core principles and values, we've been fortunate to always come out ahead. I'm grateful for the loyalty and commitment of our employees, subcontractors, suppliers, bankers and investors. The future looks very bright." Michael has continued his father's commitment of community and professional service. Jerry was a founding member of what is now the Atlanta Apartment Association and was a past president of that organization, as well as a past president of the National Apartment Association and the Georgia Apartment Association. Michael was the Atlanta Apartment Association's president in 2000 and currently serves on the Board, the Executive Committee and chairs the Governmental Affairs Committee.
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