Foundation: From Air Force Pilot to CCIM 

Veterans bring discipline, leadership, and mission focus into every stage of their commercial real estate careers. Through the CCIM Institute Foundation Veterans Scholarship, donor support helps remove financial barriers so veterans can pursue the designation and advance with confidence. That support is not abstract. It is personal, career changing, and built on the belief that service should open doors to new opportunities. 

Discover the inspiring journey of Veterans Scholarship recipient Kyle Fried, CCIM, whose path to commercial real estate began on Air Force missions across the globe. In this exclusive CCIM Institute Foundation interview, Kyle shares how his military service shaped his work ethic, how an MBA and a leap of faith led him into commercial real estate, and how the CCIM designation became the professional “vehicle” he was searching for. 

Kyle reflects on the challenges and risks of transitioning careers, the discipline and resilience veterans bring to the industry, and the transformative role the CCIM Veterans Scholarship played in helping him pursue advanced education without financial barriers. His story is a testament to the power of opportunity—and to the donors who make that opportunity possible. 

Watch the full interview and hear Kyle’s journey in his own words:

Kyle’s story is a reminder that the Veterans Scholarship is more than a benefit. It is a pathway made possible by donors who believe veterans deserve a strong launch into commercial real estate. Every contribution helps create the next opportunity for a veteran to strengthen their skills, grow their network, and move forward in a career built for long-term success.