CCIM Spotlight: Emmitt Quiambao Chang, CCIM

Can you share a bit about your background and how you first got into real estate? 

I moved to Tucson was hired as an office manager by a small property management company called Axiom, which paid for my real estate school. I found out broker Mark Bitton was a CCIM shortly after!

What sparked your interest in commercial real estate? Was there a specific moment or experience that set you on this path? 

It was in 2021, when I worked at Axiom as a new real estate licensee, I was told to open doors for one of our investors selling his units near the U of A. I was not supposed to be there, or so I thought. I’m so glad I came there to open doors in way before the listing agent came in because I accidentally locked myself out with the keys inside. The locksmith came in and unlocked it well before everyone else came in, so I didn’t look like a fool! The listing agent was James Robertson, CCIM, and the buying agent was Omer Kreso, who became a CCIM two years later.

You’ve chosen to further your expertise with courses from The CCIM Institute. What led you to make that decision, and how has it shaped your approach to real estate? 

In September 2022 the Southern Arizona CCIM Chapter hosted a Rookies and Rockstars CI103. I had passed CI101 prior, and without even thinking I just signed up for the class and jumped in. 

Congratulations on achieving your CCIM Designation! Walk us through the journey to earning it—what was the process like, and what are you hoping to accomplish now that you’re a CCIM Designee?

Earning my CCIM Designation was more than a professional milestone—it was a transformative journey. Looking back, I realized I had been carrying a toxic mindset, shaped by the pressure to prove my worth through titles and achievements. This belief, likely rooted in my time in the Marine Corps, created unnecessary anxiety and self-doubt.

Early in the process, I feared letting others down, especially my mentor, Erik Chapman, CCIM. But instead of criticism, I was met with grace, kindness, and support from the Southern Arizona chapter board, mentors, and friends. 

That support was life-changing. It challenged me to confront my pride and let go of the self-pity that had been holding me back. Accepting the love and encouragement of others wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

One pivotal moment came when Cody McGuire, CCIM, reminded me of the work I had put in and encouraged me to see my potential beyond my self-imposed limits. Erik echoed those sentiments face-to-face, and it finally clicked—I had value and worth, not just as a professional but as a person.

Now that I’m a CCIM Designee, my focus is on paying it forward through mentorship. I’m fortunate to have guidance from seasoned Designees like Susan Chu Ong, CCIM, whose wisdom has taught me so much about retail and management in commercial real estate. I’m excited to continue learning, growing, and helping others on their journeys.

On top of your Designation, you’ve also earned scholarships. Can you share what those scholarships have meant to you and how they’ve impacted your career?

As one of probably many, I was swimming in debt when I moved from Virginia to Tucson to serve God at the Door Church, where my senior pastor, Harold Warner, worked with George Larsen, CCIM. Earning these scholarships have been a huge, huge relief to me. Many thanks to you all.

As a scholarship recipient, what would you say are your biggest takeaways from the experience?

Frankly, the biggest takeaway was how quickly I earned the scholarship. I applied early one morning and within a matter of a couple hours, I was already notified I won. I kept asking myself what I did to deserve it, let alone be considered! What should’ve been thousands of dollars’ worth of real estate education suddenly became affordable, which only confirms the heart of generosity of The CCIM Foundation

Transitioning from the military to real estate is a big leap—can you share what that transition was like for you? 

Rough start, no doubt. I had a lot of baggage to deal with, but I discovered getting into real estate was going to force me to take care of myself holistically, from my body, soul, and spirit, on a personal level, so that I can thrive in this professional realm. I’m so glad there were so many people in support. In the end, the transition was a sanctification, a solid transformation for me to become a better man than I ever knew I could to say the least.

Looking back, are there any skills from your military background that have proven to be valuable in your commercial real estate career? 

Absolutely. The first skill is diligence. Laziness and procrastination left me during my active-duty days. The other skill, just as important, was to approach people. It’s not what you say, but how you say or approach it that prevails, every single time. 