Orion CEO named as Best Community Leader in
 "Best of the North Bay" awards by 
North Bay Business Magazine

Business Community Leader: Bill McCubbin

 Bill McCubbin, the president and CEO of Orion Partners Ltd. commercial real estate, speaks enthusiastically about both his business and community.

"Orion is the largest, fastest growing (commercial real estate) company in the North Bay," says McCubbin of his four offices and sales staff of 37. "Our job is to see that we offer the best commercial real estate to our clients in the market."

McCubbin, who lives in Mill Valley, founded Orion seven years ago. "After 25 years in the commercial real estate market in San Francisco, I knew I wanted to start something different, a company of owners.

"Everyone is a principal in the company," he says. "Our goal is to be agent-owned and have profit-sharing that others don't have. We communicate differently, and we're proud of that.

"It develops a sense of community and cooperation in a very competitive field, which makes us good for our clients."

A sense of community to McCubbin extends beyond the boardroom. "When my wife, Susan, and I started this company, the one thing that was important to us was to get involved." McCubbin is associated with many local groups, including the board of directors for the American Heart Association, membership in several North Bay Chambers of Commerce, past president of the Marin/North Bay Economic Commission, member of the Marin Forum and president of the San Rafael Rotary Club.

How can he run a successful business and have time for so many non-profit activities? "It's very much a part of our (company) culture. It's a requirement for every one of us to be involved in some capacity. We make it a part of our business plan every year to become involved and give back to the community."

He advises all business people to get active. "It should be considered as a duty of all businesses to support non-profit services. Without the non-profits, the communities wouldn't be what they are.

"If you're going to live and work and have your kids grow up there, you should be a part of it, it comes with obligations. Not all businesses feel this way, and that's too bad. I think if the business community united, it'd be a better place to live."

McCubbin says he's "pleased as punch" to be acknowledged with his firm as part of the "Best of the North Bay" awards and encourages others to get involved. "I'm one who got involved late in life but will continue. You get back what you put in."