Russell L. Wahl

Beginning in 1978, Russell Wahl managed commercial properties that Charlie Pankow and Russell J. Osterman developed on the West Coast.

As of 1978, the portfolio included San José Plaza, an office complex in downtown San José, California; Jefferson Plaza, a 4-story office building in Spokane, Washington; and the Citizens Bank Building, a 10-story office building in Eugene, Oregon. The completion, in 1984, of 2101 Webster Street, an office building in downtown Oakland and Charlie Pankow’s last development project, rounded out the portfolio.

In 1978 Wahl worked for a syndicator who knew Charlie Pankow and worked with fee accounts. Seven years later, the syndicator wanted to get out of the business. Wahl approached Osterman about taking over the management of the properties and he and Charlie Pankow agreed to retain him. Consequently, Wahl founded Wahl & Company, which has grown into a diversified firm that handles commercial property management, residential asset management, building maintenance, project management, commercial leasing, and accounting services.

At the time of his death, in January 2004, Charlie Pankow retained only the 2101 Webster Street property in his commercial real estate portfolio (in which Osterman had no interest). Wahl’s business relationship with the Pankow family continued until the estate sold the building to a real estate investment trust (REIT).

Wahl lives in Sausalito, California, with his wife, Jan, a locally renowned film critic.