Building & Leveraging a Successful Grocery-Anchored Center Portfolio with Chris Palermo, Co-Founder & Managing Principal, First National Realty Partners

Listen to what it’s like to start and grow a successful commercial real estate firm with a grocery-anchored center portfolio. First National Realty Partners Co-Founder & Managing Principal, Chris Palermo talks with host Aaron Strauss about becoming one of the major players in the highly competitive private equity commercial real estate market.

Highlights include:

  • How to hire, train, and coach employees to be their best personally and as part of the team.
  • What it’s like to grow from the first $500K deal to a $1B+ portfolio.
  • How to stay agile and ultimately close the deal in a highly competitive market.
  • Why Chris’ stress has actually gone down as the company’s growth has gone up.

About the Guest

Chris Palermo is the Co-Chairman, Founder, and Managing Principal of First National Realty Partners, one of the nation’s leading commercial private equity firms.

He is considered the key architect of FNRP’s overall vision. Through his leadership, FNRP has grown from a local real estate operator to one of the nation’s fastest-growing private equity real estate firms.

Chris spearheads the firm’s marketing initiatives and is the Head of FNRP’s Investment and Disposition Committees. He has over 18 years of experience in investment banking and the financial services industry.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and mentoring young professionals looking to become entrepreneurs in the commercial real estate industry.


The Dealmakers’ Edge with A.Y. Strauss highlights the stories, successes, and struggles behind major commercial real estate investors. Each episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at commercial real estate leaders and their unique edge.

Hosted by Aaron Y. Strauss, Managing Partner at A.Y. Strauss

Aaron Y. Strauss is one of the leading legal advisors in the commercial real estate industry, providing insight and guidance for billions worth of transactions during his career. As our firm’s founder and managing partner, he has positioned A.Y. Strauss as one of the region’s most respected law firms for commercial real estate owners, lenders and sponsors, serving the needs of our clients with the utmost in care, integrity and transparency.