YouthLive! 2012 Honorary Event Chair

As founder and principal of The Sobrato Organization, John heads one of the most successful real estate development organizations in California. John’s career in real estate dates back to the late 1950s. He began selling homes in Palo Alto, and while attending Santa Clara University, John arranged his classes to allow him to work three days a week. After graduating in 1960, John founded Midtown Realty and specialized in “Eichler” home re-sales. Building on his residential success, he expanded into commercial real estate, working with his mother Ann Sobrato to develop industrial properties nearly a decade before the name “Silicon Valley” was coined. In 1974, John sold Midtown Realty to focus on commercial development for the rapidly emerging high technology industry. The Sobrato Organization has since been responsible for development and construction of more than 150 office and research & development facilities, totaling more than 15 million square feet and 10,000 apartment units. While a corporate leader, John is a community leader—supporting many organizations in both board leadership and advisor positions, and believing that despite deep and compelling need, this entire Silicon Valley can thrive.