Think you know Paul Weinberg? Well, we asked him some questions about work, family and life during the pandemic and you’ll be surprised by what you discover.

Paul is also performing, along with friends Dave Markowitz and Matt Chase, at our upcoming Summer Music Fest. Tickets are available now.

Tell me about your profession? What brought you to Klein Enterprises?

I have been working in the real estate industry since 2008. My first job in the business was as an acquisition analyst with a development firm called Southside Investment Partners where I was for about two years. From there I went to MFI Realty/H&R Retail, where I worked for five and a half years as a leasing representative, but also dabbled in property management. In April 2015, I joined Klein Enterprises, where I work as a leasing representative. I had a working relationship with a few members of Klein, and knew Daniel Klein on a personal & professional level. When a leasing position opened up there, Daniel Klein reached out to me and offered me an opportunity that I felt I couldn’t pass up. I have now been with the company for about six years.

How has the pandemic influenced your day-to-day on the job?

Our company as a whole has mostly been working from home since the pandemic started, which has required most of us to communicate via Zoom, emails and phone calls. However, I do go into the office once or twice a week (under strict health & safety protocols), just to feel a sense of normalcy, and I have been doing masked on-site meetings with prospective tenants, so in that sense, the job hasn’t changed too much. But in general, the fact that we aren’t all in the office every day has made communication that much more important between the different departments. I have remote desktop access at home, so I have access to everything I need in order to effectively do my job.

How did you get involved with The Associated?

I joined REIG (Real Estate Industry Group) when I got into the industry at the suggestion of Geoffrey Mackler, who I used to work with when I was at MFI/H&R Retail. I also joined The Associated Real Estate Committee around the same time, and ironically, I think Daniel Klein was the person that suggested I join before I even came to work at Klein Enterprises. My aunt Debs Weinberg has been involved with The Associated for many years, so I was always very familiar with it because of her, but my main connection with it has been through real estate. My family also has a foundation (The Nathan & Lillian Weinberg Family Foundation) that has long been overseen by The Associated, and my cousins, sister, wife and I work with Lauren Klein on this.

And, why is your involvement with REIG important to you?

My involvement with REIG is important to me because it keeps me connected with the local real estate community and many people that I have great relationships with and respect for, not to mention it’s a lot of fun to plan the various events that we have and help to raise money for a great cause in the process.

What is your favorite Baltimore spot?

If you mean restaurant spot, the answer is Tio Pepe. Not that we have dinner there all the time (that would get pretty expensive), but for special occasions, that’s my go to spot. I also like The Food Market, La Food Marketa and Wicked Sisters a lot.

What is the TV show you are currently enjoying (or book, if you prefer)?

My wife and I are watching a show called Impostors right now, which was on Bravo for a couple years but has since been cancelled. Several people recommended it to us, and it’s really good. As for a book, I just finished reading Fantasyland by Sam Walker, which is about the obsessive world of fantasy baseball and was really enjoyable. I’m about to start reading The Q Factor by former Ravens head coach Brian Billick (as you can see, I’m a big sports nut).

What are you most looking forward to doing post-pandemic?

I’m looking forward to playing live music with my band, going to see live music, going to O’s and Ravens games, hanging out with friends and family with no restrictions, and going on a vacation with my wife so we can get a little break from the kids after being together literally every day for the past year.

Have you taken up any new hobbies or interests during the pandemic?

I became very interested in and passionate about politics during the pandemic, and not for reasons I would have hoped. However, on the bright side, it made me realize more than ever how fragile democracy is and that it’s not something we should take for granted, because it can all be taken away from us if we aren’t careful and diligent about fighting to maintain it. Otherwise, my wife and I got a Peloton during the pandemic, and we both love it.