By SUZANNE THOMPSON A management mentality David Groth of Loeb Industries knows the importance of balancing the needs of clients and company By SUZANNE THOMPSON The Daily News David Groth is used to juggling many job responsibilities because as vice president of property management for Loeb Industries, he wears many hats. "You touch everything from law to investment to finance to building and remodeling," Groth said. Groth graduated in 1974 from Trinity College in San Antonio with a degree in philosophy and history. When he graduated and left Texas, Groth thought he would never return, but six months later, he was back in San Antonio working in property management for Space Center San Antonio. In 1984, Groth went to work for Koger Properties in San Antonio, and he was transferred to Memphis in 1989. Several years ago, when Koger filed for reorganizational bankruptcy, Groths position was eliminated. He then went to work for SPL Corp. as a property management consultant. There, too, Groth said he had numerous job duties. "I did everything from police the grounds on occasions to negotiate leases, to advise, to budgets, basically, everything that needed to be done. I did all the hard stuff," Groth said. When SPL hired a third party organization to handle the property management part of its business, Groth found himself once again in search of another position. In January 1996, he went to work for Loeb Industries Inc. in a job Groth said he considers ideal. Working at a smaller company affords more flexibility while providing the opportunity for "hands-on" property management. Loeb handles full-service office space, multi-family residential property, warehouse space and office showroom space. Groth said the most challenging aspect of his job is dealing with Loebs diverse clients and accommodating their various needs. "The needs of the tenants from property to property vary greatly," he said. "Its a real balancing act sometimes to get them what they need at a price they can afford." He said the ability to accomplish that balance is an equation that equals full space and happy tenants. "In the commercial real estate industry, the landlord and the tenant really form a joint partnership, and if it doesnt work for both of them, its going to be a bad deal somewhere down the line," Groth said. "There is still a good number of people out there, both landlords and tenants, that still believe in the adversarial relationship and it doesnt work in the long term that way." It is a business ethic that earned Groth the 1997 Principal of the Year Award from the Memphis chapter of the Building Owners & Managers Association. Groth said the aspect of his work that he most enjoys is seeing his clients business flourish. "Theres a real satisfaction about seeing a clients business grow and expand and knowing that you had a hand in it," he said. When hes not juggling his duties at Loeb, Groth said he enjoys activities such as in-line skating, biking and soccer. Soccer has played a big part in Groths life. He first began playing soccer at Trinity University and liked the game so much he started coaching soccer after he graduated. Trinity did not have womens soccer, but the intramural association there was broad minded, and Groth said if a group of students came and wanted to get involved in a particular sport, the association usually found a way to make it happen. When a group of women decided they wanted to play competitive soccer, Groth saw an opportunity to put his knowledge of the game and love of the sport to work. The group eventually became a varsity team. As a soccer coach and player in a Texas "over-30" mens competitive league, Groth has traveled around the country and to Europe twice, although most of his coaching was done on a volunteer basis. Although he has not had the opportunity to coach soccer since relocating to Memphis, he said he still loves the game and is on the board of directors of The Fury Club, a Germantown soccer association. Groth said he will have to delay another coaching position until after his term as president of the Germantown Rotary Club has expired. Soccer has played another role in his life, as well, because it was on a soccer field that he met his wife, Angela. However, whether on the field or in the office, Groth said extra effort means better results. "Its a learn as you go type process and over the last 24 or 25 years, Ive learned quite a bit," Groth said. Bio Bits: name: David F. Groth date of birth: March 25, 1947 place of birth: Bound Brook, N.J. education: Trinity University, 1974 B.A., philosophy and history marital status: Married, seven years, wife, Andrea hobbies: Soccer, biking, in-line skating   associations: Certified Real Property Administrator by the Building Owners & Managers Association; president, Germantown Rotary Club