Mowitz brothers’ endowment benefits real estate program, students

Kyle and Justin Mowitz credit the College of Business for their significant success in the real estate industry. Both say they have benefited greatly from the relationships they’ve built over the years with the college and its alumni. To show their appreciation, they recently made a $100,000 gift to establish the Mowitz Family Endowment for Excellence in Real Estate.

In addition to giving generous support to the real estate program and FSU Real Estate Center, a part of their gift will enable students to participate in internships that allow them to gain invaluable industry experience and network with professionals in the field.

“The FSU network is amazing,” said Kyle, who graduated from FSU in 2003 with his bachelor’s degree in real estate and finance and is co-founder and managing partner of The Imperium Companies and the Imperium Blue Management, based in Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta, with a combined $3 billion in total assets.

Although Justin earned his undergraduate degree in aviation management in 2002 from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and went on to earn a law degree in 2008 from Vermont Law School, he attended FSU from 1995 to 1996 and remains an ardent champion of FSU – and a member of the Seminole Boosters.

“Mentioning FSU is a conversation starter, and many of the relationships I’ve made with FSU alumni professionally have evolved into friendships and have been a driving force in my career,” said Justin, owner of Mowitz Law, LLC and Mowitz Title, LLC – separate companies based in Gainesville, Florida, that focus on commercial and residential real estate transactions. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he also co-founded a successful engineering and manufacturing company focused on creating life-saving equipment for military and law enforcement.

Though neither Kyle’s wife, Jillian, nor Justin’s wife, Meredith – who attended FSU from 1998 to 2000 – are Florida State graduates, the brothers’ family FSU roots still run deep. Their father, Frank, graduated from FSU with a degree in marketing, and forged a successful career in retail real estate. Their mother, Mary, earned her degree in speech pathology and education from FSU.

“We are extremely fortunate that Kyle and Justin have chosen to invest in our real estate program and students,” said Dean Michael Hartline. “The success they’ve both achieved in the industry is remarkable, and it’s encouraging to our students to see what is possible for them. We also hope their generosity plants the seed of philanthropy among our students, so they also will invest in our future.”

Said Kyle: “We are very pleased to be in the position to make this gift. My experience at FSU – from what I learned in the classroom and the contacts I made through Greek life and during my summer internships with alumni – were pivotal for me. They’ve had a lasting impact that adds up to the success I have today.”