2020 Year in Review: TJ DiFeo, Bergmeyer

What was the most difficult part of working during the pandemic of 2020? The most difficult part of working during the pandemic was being out of the office so much and not having the in-person collaboration with my teammates. There is no doubt that technology has come very far and has allowed us to engage in virtual work sessions and create virtual team rooms. Still, it could never compare to being in a space experiencing the energy and idea-sharing that comes when together. 

What aspects of working from home have you enjoyed most? The commute! But honestly, I have really enjoyed experiencing the strength and endurance of Bergmeyer’s culture no matter where we all are across the country. What working from home has shown me is how resilient and caring our talented staff is. We have not missed a beat, and we have made it our mission to be sure to stay connected throughout the pandemic. Whether through virtual All Office Town Hall meetings, daily project meetings, or informal “hellos”, we are always connected. We take being a part of the Bergmeyer family seriously, and no pandemic can stop that. 

What was your greatest professional accomplishment or most notable project, deal, or transaction in 2020? Clearly, 2020 has been a struggle across the industry, but there are certainly some bright spots. This year saw many exciting Bergmeyer projects come to life. In particular, one project that I had the extreme pleasure and fortune to lead was the new headquarters for world-class robotics company Boston Dynamics. Completing this amazing and highly visible project, which included a number of Bergmeyer project specialties, with a Client whose culture is so aligned with our own company culture, is the definition of a “project of a lifetime.” It has helped to restore a little bit of shine to 2020.

What are your predictions for commercial real estate in 2021? One thing we can all predict is that commercial real estate will be very different in 2021. I think that as we begin to return to the office, we will continue to rethink office space needs and use. As space needs change, sub-leasing and shared spaces will increase, shorter-term or flexible leases will become more popular, and, of course, technology will need to continue to evolve to respond to these changes.