From the Commercial Appeal:
The person in line to be the youngest board chair of Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division learned years ago how to relate to his elders.
Darrell Cobbins, founder and owner of Universal Commercial Real Estate, will be the youngest chairman of the board of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division when he assumes the post in January. After graduating from Rhodes College, Darrell Cobbins began work at Guardsmark, a company that employs security officers.
Still in his early 20s, Cobbins had to learn to politic quickly at his new job managing people twice his age throughout the Mississippi Delta. "It was a good experience that matured me fast," Dobbins, now 37, says.
Darrell Cobbins, founder and owner of Universal Commercial Real Estate, will be the youngest chairman of the board of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division when he assumes the post in January. After graduating from Rhodes College, Darrell Cobbins began work at Guardsmark, a company that employs security officers.
Still in his early 20s, Cobbins had to learn to politic quickly at his new job managing people twice his age throughout the Mississippi Delta. "It was a good experience that matured me fast," Dobbins, now 37, says.
Cobbins was born in Memphis and has lived here his whole life.
Raised by his divorced mother, he and his older brother grew up in Whitehaven.
After Rhodes, Cobbins later earned his MBA from the University of Memphis.
Cobbins also worked in fundraising for the Greater Memphis Chamber.
"I learned a lot about economic development, what it takes to make a company relocate or stay, or how to bring 'x' number of jobs to the region," he says.
Raised by his divorced mother, he and his older brother grew up in Whitehaven.
After Rhodes, Cobbins later earned his MBA from the University of Memphis.
Cobbins also worked in fundraising for the Greater Memphis Chamber.
"I learned a lot about economic development, what it takes to make a company relocate or stay, or how to bring 'x' number of jobs to the region," he says.
In 2001, Cobbins began working for the Commercial Advisors Real Estate Company, where he represented companies in real estate transactions. Cobbins' family has a long history of leadership in the Memphis real estate community.
His grandfather developed Lakeview Gardens. One of the first neighborhoods designed for middle-class black families, the development won numerous national awards.
His mother likewise pioneered as a black woman working in real estate, having had her license for 37 consecutive years.
Now, Cobbins owns his own company, Universal Commercial Real Estate, which he founded two years ago.
His grandfather developed Lakeview Gardens. One of the first neighborhoods designed for middle-class black families, the development won numerous national awards.
His mother likewise pioneered as a black woman working in real estate, having had her license for 37 consecutive years.
Now, Cobbins owns his own company, Universal Commercial Real Estate, which he founded two years ago.
The company is the first and only commercial real estate firm in Memphis owned by an African-American. Its name honors Universal Life Insurance Company.
"For years, that was the premier black business in this region," Cobbins says. "They financed mortgages when people couldn't get loans and were a big, positive force in Memphis. I thought, 'Let me try and make that name mean something again through my company.'"
Community involvement is the cornerstone of Cobbins' work.
"When I was younger, my mother took us touring all around town. Over time, this exposure gave me a big sense of civic duty," he says.
"Professional and civic contributions go hand in hand. I have an inability to say 'no' to certain opportunities; if I see a way I can help out, I help out."
"For years, that was the premier black business in this region," Cobbins says. "They financed mortgages when people couldn't get loans and were a big, positive force in Memphis. I thought, 'Let me try and make that name mean something again through my company.'"
Community involvement is the cornerstone of Cobbins' work.
"When I was younger, my mother took us touring all around town. Over time, this exposure gave me a big sense of civic duty," he says.
"Professional and civic contributions go hand in hand. I have an inability to say 'no' to certain opportunities; if I see a way I can help out, I help out."
Cobbins was recently named to the transition team formed by new Memphis Mayor A C Wharton. "We'll be taking a look at key functional areas in city government that he wants to articulate his position on. We'll be identifying young talent to bring new ideas into City Hall," Cobbins says. "It's a very exciting time for Memphis."
Cobbins describes himself as a "serial social entrepreneur."
Having graduated from Leadership Memphis, The Leadership Academy and having helped found MPact Memphis, Cobbins is also a member of the Memphis Urban League of Young Professionals, New Path and Nexus.
He serves on the board of The Leadership Academy and the Shelby County Crime Commission.
Having graduated from Leadership Memphis, The Leadership Academy and having helped found MPact Memphis, Cobbins is also a member of the Memphis Urban League of Young Professionals, New Path and Nexus.
He serves on the board of The Leadership Academy and the Shelby County Crime Commission.
