Money vs. Wealth: The Value of Connection & Education

Last February, the Texas REALTORS^© celebrated their members and local associations during their Winter Meeting in Austin. The event included awards given to outstanding individuals, highlighting their dedication and demonstration of excellence in the real estate industry.  

Adrian A. Arriaga, CCIM, and former CCIM instructor, was honored with the Richard Miranda Global Achievement Award. This award honors individuals who demonstrate expertise, innovation, and leadership in serving global clients and expanding their business across borders. Arriaga was the first to receive this inaugural award, recognized for being a leader in global real estate for more than 40 years, representing high net worth Spanish-speaking investors and helping U.S. companies establish manufacturing facilities in Mexico. As a partner of SPERRY Commercial, The ARRIAGA Group, Arriaga has had an extensive career, receiving numerous awards and recognitions for his work across the globe with CRE professionals, as well as his work in politics. 

Arriaga, a third-generation Mexican American, was born and raised in Texas- his great grandfather being the first in his family to immigrate to America. When Arriaga entered the real estate industry, he wanted one thing: to be the best in the business. Since then, for over four decades, he’s been making deals and building relationships across borders and around the globe.  

After years in the industry, Arriaga sought the CCIM Designation, understanding the value and standard CCIM Designees had within the industry. He cited it as a key part of doing business, saying “It is not how much you know, it’s how much you keep… Have you ever talked to someone in commercial real estate? Ask them, what is the epitome of the number one commercial brokers? CCIM Designation.” To Arriaga, there was an understanding that you cannot fake it in this industry.   

“Those designations are the epitome of commercial real estate.” 

The first time Arriaga went to pursue his CCIM Designation, he did so after realizing what opportunities would be available upon completing the program. He said, “If people with no commercial real estate background are doing well, serendipitous, just out of luck.... Can you imagine if people knew what they were doing?” So, he decided to take CI 101 and instantly recognized the value of CCIM education. However, after completing the first class, and making a blockbuster deal, he pushed off taking CI 102. When he finally made his return to take the course, he failed. He was heavily encouraged to retake the course by his number one supporter, his wife.  

“People hate to talk about failure. But, this time, it helped me. It was my wife- and I've been married to my wife now for over 50 years, and she was my high school sweetheart for six years before that- she saw that I had a passion, so she made me go back.” 

After becoming a CCIM Designee in 1995, Arriaga admitted it changed his life. However, it wasn’t simply about the numbers and deals. Instead, the real value was what was to be built after receiving the pin. He emphasized the “state of mind” that comes along with the pin, saying, “Once you get the pin, you'll understand how simple it is to help people create wealth. Creating wealth is the key for CCIM understanding how to be successful in commercial real estate investments.” Arriaga was absolutely adamant about the distinction between making money and creating wealth.  

After obtaining his designation, Arriaga was selected to become a CCIM Instructor, so that he could pass along institutional and personal knowledge to the next generation of CCIM Candidates. “It is important that we continue mentoring. Once you become a CCIM, we need to make a commitment that we can help someone else,” Arriaga said. “We don't do that enough as volunteers, because we're too busy. So, we need to be able to make the time.” To Arriaga, mentoring was a way of continuing the value of his own designation, while also demonstrating a level of professionalism and the success that follows. After being an instructor, Arriaga was appointed to the Texas Real Estate Commission by then-Texas Governor Rick Perry, where he was able to use his expertise in the real estate industry. Arriaga served as Texas Real Estate Commissioner for 12 years.  

“The key value for CCIM is the instructors… They demonstrate the professionalism that hopefully translates to people, like myself, when I took the course. So, everybody wants to be an instructor, because they're first-class professionals willing to share their success.” 

Arriaga’s career and professionalism not only modeled a path for candidates at The CCIM Institute, but in his own home as well. His son, Adrian A. Arriaga II, had a master's degree in Land Economics and Real Estate, making the transition to becoming a CCIM candidate easy. He achieved his CCIM Designation in 2002. 

While much of his work has been focused on the US and Mexico, his reach and business expand around the world. Arriaga travels to Mexico about six to eight times a year and had traveled to China two times a year. He says meeting with international professionals is crucial to developing relationships and identifying prospects. Arriaga claims forty percent of his business is with international investors and- not only is it hard work- but it requires you to build from the ground up.  “You need to enjoy it, to do global services. But once you start doing it, it's a system and it's a habit. Now, how do you get started in international sales? That's another whole story that we can do, and it all starts at home.” 

Arriaga commended The CCIM Institute for what it added to his career, particularly the tools available to members. He mentioned Site to Do Business as a powerful tool in accessing important data when it came to making decisions, especially when he was hired by Costco to find a site in South Texas. He said, once he was able to compare locations and assess data with demographics, income level, and more, he was able to make a calculative decision. “Once you understand the numbers in the tools that CCIM has, it makes it simple for you to help your clients.” 

For Arriaga, the CCIM Designation wasn’t just another achievement—it was a catalyst. It sharpened his expertise, broadened his global reach, and deepened his commitment to lifting others up. Whether in the classroom, across international borders, or at home inspiring the next generation, Arriaga continues to exemplify the spirit of a CCIM: creating value, building wealth, and forging lasting relationships that transcend transactions. 

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