Small Companies, Big People
- Jeff@CEGspaces
- Aug 28
- 3 min read
At CEG, we’re a close group and last Friday hit hard. Andy Voorhees, our business development and property management extraordinaire, unexpectedly passed. It’s a tough loss for our team as many of us were his longtime friends, but the way Andy lived his life is a gift we’ll carry as we continue on. In small companies, it’s easy to recognize those big people.
1. Andy was friendly, good-natured, and easily connected with people. Those are important qualities in a business built on relationships. I met Andy through a networking group years ago, when he worked at Regis leasing small office spaces. We began working on deals together, became close friends (as did our families), and shared many fun times together. He was a natural networker.
2. Andy was quick to recognize when someone else on the team shined. He always had thoughtful words to build people up or add helpful advice during team meetings. He took the time to let you know he “sees” you and appreciates you, which is a gift in this fast-paced, abbreviated words, world. He was a great person to have on your personal and professional teams.
3. Andy was enthusiastic and loyal. He was proud to be part of the team and an excellent brand advocate. Every small business needs that kind of cheerleader. He always spoke highly of where he worked and was determined to help build that company. On the personal side, our family dog, Snoopers, came from Andy’s family as a puppy. He is such a loyal person that one time when Snoopers was in the doggie ICU, Andy showed up every day. He’s that kind of man.
4. Andy enjoyed helping people. From his previous experience on the title side of commercial real estate to his work with the CEG team, he was always eager to help support others. To him, the most rewarding part of his job was to help tenants grow and move into larger spaces. As a team member, he was someone we could count on to keep things in working order, grab quick property photos to answer a question, or meet with clients and tenants to see how we could help solve their business needs. Andy was reliably helpful.
5. Andy loved family. He loved being a husband and soulmate, a father, and a grandfather. We remember his excitement when he announced the birth of his most recent granddaughter. His joy shined through the screen on our Teams meeting. To Andy, “Babysitting Rocks!” and happiness was being with family. He let that love show. Brightly.
Conclusion
In a small company, you can’t hide and you can’t be fully replaced. Andy’s warmth, loyalty, and passion for both his family and his work made him a truly big person in our lives. The lessons he taught us about connection, appreciation, and unconditional dedication remain at the heart of CEG. We thank Andy for showing us what it truly means to be a teammate, a champion for others, and a friend. Andy leaves behind a void that is deeply felt by everyone who knew him. He lived his life brightly.
Jeff Salzbrun is the founder and managing partner of Commercial Equities Group (CEG). As a veteran-owned real estate brokerage, CEG has been involved in thousands of sale and lease transactions, ranging from single offices to 250,000+ square foot buildings. At CEG, we get your deal done. We know space, and we know the CRE business.
