Early Life
George Moutsanas, later known as George Marcus, was born in 1941 in Euboea, Greece. In 1945, at the age of four, he immigrated to the United States with his family, fleeing postwar economic hardships. The family settled in San Francisco's Potrero Hill neighborhood, a blue-collar area with a tight-knit Greek immigrant community. Marcus's father worked various manual jobs to support the family, instilling a strong work ethic in young George.
Rise to Success
Marcus earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from San Francisco State University in 1965. In 1971, he co-founded Marcus & Millichap with William A. Millichap. Through strategic sharing of information among brokers and a formalized marketing process, Marcus & Millichap quickly became an industry leader. He also founded Essex Property Trust, contributing significantly to his net worth.
Key Business Strategies
Marcus & Millichap's success stems from a focus on private client transactions. He emphasized transparency in business dealings. The firm's growth was driven by seeking exclusive listing agreements, innovating in the real estate industry. Marcus's approach has helped the company handle thousands of transactions annually, with a value of billions of dollars.
Philanthropy
George Marcus and his wife, Judy, are known for their philanthropy. They have supported numerous causes, especially in education and religious institutions. Major donations include $25 million to San Francisco State University for the George and Judy Marcus Funds for Excellence in the Liberal Arts, and contributions to Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and the reconstruction of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at the World Trade Center.
