Woodcock guides firm to the top

Jack Woodcock knows what it takes to build a small realty office into one of the largest realty companies in the nation. That's what he and his partners, Mark Miscevic and Steve Schneider, did in 1979 when they founded the Americana Group in Las Vegas.

"Our philosophy in how to run a real estate company started out with three individuals with high hopes," Woodcock said. "We wanted to build a company that provided excellent training, provided agents an ability to grow, and be the kind of place that each individual would want to contribute to as they developed their own real estate careers."

Americana Group evolved into Prudential Americana Group, Realtors, the valley's largest realty company with about 860 agents among seven offices. Woodcock's current business partner is Mark Stark.

"Americana, regardless of the different franchises that we have associated with, has been Jack's life," Stark said. "Since the company began in 1979, he has lived, breathed and eaten real estate. He has his children and he has Americana, and that is his life."

Community involvement, Woodcock said, has been key to the company's success.

"As we grew this company in our 20-plus years, we developed a philosophy of maintaining a significant presence in the community, ensuring that company involvement was an important ingredient not only in our success but also in the success of our profession," he said.

Woodcock is a past president of both the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors and the Nevada Association of Realtors. He serves on the board of the National Association of Realtors, and is active with the Nevada Development Authority and other organizations. Most recently, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce recognized Woodcock for his commitment to his profession and community.

"In real estate, you come into contact with people who are aspiring to improve their quality of life," he said. "We're there when people increase the size of their families and when they get a better job, in states of life when they're moving up. The real estate profession is not only an honorable profession, but it also touches people in so many ways."

He may also have a future in politics. Woodcock, a Republican, is considering running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Harry Reid, a Democrat, in 2004.

"Although I have not had experience in politics, some people believe that the business environment is ideal training for a life in politics. Politics is something that I am passionate about," Woodcock said. "I think being a Realtor is a positive as well since it has helped me develop an insight to the needs of other people, our citizenry, our society."

The North Carolina native has lived in Las Vegas since 1971, when he completed his service in the Air Force. Woodcock, who was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, said he chose to remain in the valley because of its "great potential."

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