Most real estate brokers learn the basics of the business over time, through trial and error. Tom Carnahan was blessed with the perfect mentor–his father, Joe Carnahan. The senior Carnahan established a small real estate company in 1946 in Burbank along with two friends, Bob Paul and Bill White. Over the years, Paul-White-Carnahan grew from one to 22 offices. By 1977, they employed over 400 agents and represented a major force in San Fernando Valley real estate.
Joe Carnahan’s success and dedication to basic principles initially attracted Tom to real estate, but once on his own he made a crucial decision. Sure, growth held the potential of bigger, faster rewards, but too often as a company grew, clients became too removed, too distant. Tom decided his personality was best suited to closer, deeper, longer lasting relationships.
In 1988, Tom Carnahan became the youngest Realtor® to be elected president of what is now known as the 8,400 member Southland Regional Association of Realtors®, one of the nation’s largest local trade organizations serving the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. In 2003, Tom was again elected president of the Southland Regional Association of Realtors®, becoming the first member to hold the top office twice.
