Meet Andrew Ziffer | Real Estate Investor and DeKalb County Schools Board Member

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrew Ziffer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrew, what do you want people to remember about you?
I want my legacy to be one of impactful service—to the people I work with, to public education, and to the communities I serve.

Professionally, I have over 30 years of experience in information technology, and commercial real estate. I was proud to be part of the team that delivered the world’s first internet banking software in the late 1990s, and I have led large teams at multi-million-dollar companies, overseeing large projects and initiatives. I now serve as a Partner at Greenleaf, managing a Retail real estate portfolio.

I am also an avid runner, a passion that has shaped my mindset both personally and professionally. To me, running is more than just a sport—it is a testament to dedication, perseverance, and pushing past limits. When I turned 50, I completed 50 half-marathon distance runs that year. I have also completed 10 full marathons, including Berlin, Tokyo, and London. I wanted to demonstrate to my son that success—whether in running, business, or life—comes from commitment, consistency, and resilience. Just like in my professional and community work, running has reinforced the belief that progress is made one step at a time, and real impact comes from showing up every single day.

Beyond my running and professional achievements, I have volunteered in the DeKalb County School District for over a decade. My passion for education led me to run for and win a seat on the DeKalb County School District Board of Education in 2024, representing Dunwoody, Doraville, Chamblee, and Brookhaven. In this role, I am committed to ensuring that taxpayer money is used wisely, improving school facilities, and fostering an atmosphere where student safety and mental health are valued.

My dedication to community service also extends to supporting families facing medical challenges. After my child was diagnosed with a rare medical condition, I co-founded the PHACE Syndrome Community, a non-profit organization that provides support and resources to affected families. This experience has reinforced my belief in the importance of advocacy and collective action to drive meaningful change.

Ultimately, I want to be remembered for making an impact on young lives and the local community. I believe that strong schools build strong communities, and I will work tirelessly to create safe, supportive learning environments where every student has the opportunity to succeed. My hope is that my efforts will leave a lasting positive mark, not just in education but in the lives of those I have had the privilege to serve and work with in various capacities over the years.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My journey in real estate began in 1993 in Melbourne, Florida, shortly after graduating from the University of Florida with an Engineering degree. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about long-term wealth or building a business—I was just looking for a smart way to live affordably. I bought a three-bedroom, two-bath, two-car garage duplex for $120,000. What amazed me was that my total mortgage, taxes, and insurance came to $1,000 per month, yet I could rent the other side for $650, meaning my effective cost for what was essentially a full house was just $350 per month. That experience planted the first seed of what would later become my career.

A few years later, I moved to Atlanta and built a successful career in IT while still managing my duplexes in Melbourne. I was fortunate to land at Security First Technologies (later known as S1 Corporation), where I helped deliver the world’s first Internet banking software to major financial institutions. It was a transformative time in my life, both professionally and personally—I was part of something groundbreaking, and many of the lifelong connections I have today were forged during my time at S1.

But then, in 2003, the dot-com bubble burst, and the tech industry landscape changed. That same year, I made a bold—and, in hindsight, incredibly risky—decision. I bought an apartment complex in Marietta, Georgia, and left my high-paying IT job to become a full-time real estate investor. Looking back, I had no idea what I was getting into. Everything that could go wrong did. The seller lied about the property’s condition. The property manager lied about the financials. Tenants promised to pay rent “tomorrow”—but tomorrow never came.

Within months, I found myself evicting tenants, removing drug dealers from the property, and trying to make sense of an industry I was completely unprepared for. I had to learn fast—how to manage people, make financial decisions under pressure, and rebuild something that seemed destined to fail. During those first two or three years, I didn’t see a paycheck. I remember coming home one night, looking at my wife, and saying, “I can’t believe I got us into this position.” But no matter how tough things got, I never let failure be the final outcome.

What got me through that time? Resilience, adaptability, and the ability to learn from every mistake. Fast forward twenty-two years and dozens of commercial real estate transactions later, I now run a successful commercial real estate business.

Lessons Learned Along the Way
1. There are no overnight successes. You have to be willing to endure the hard times to reap the benefits later.
2. Trust but verify – do your own due diligence.
3. People matter more than properties – Whether it’s tenants, partners, or employees, relationships and integrity determine success.
4. Adapt or get left behind – The ability to pivot is crucial for long-term success.

My story is about learning, failing, adapting, and ultimately succeeding. I want people to know that it’s okay to take risks, to struggle, and even to fail—as long as you keep moving forward.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My Ultimate Itinerary for Visitors

If my friends were visiting, I’d want to show them the best this state has to offer, including some scenic hikes and some of the best food around. Here’s my ideal itinerary:

Stone Mountain is a great morning hike. The satisfaction of knocking out a good chunk of your daily steps makes it a perfect way to start the day. On a clear morning, you can see to the Atlanta skyline.

Donuts at Krispy Kreme are also mandatory.

We would spend a day at Providence Canyon State Park, Georgia’s Grand Canyon. The architecture of the canyon walls is amazing, and it’s a fun hiking experience that feels worlds away from the city.

We would go out to eat along Buford Highway. The variety of global cuisines is endless, and I haven’t found a bad restaurant yet. One of my favorites is Food Terminal.

I’d also take my friend to Plaza Fiesta, a 350,000-square-foot shopping mall. If you’ve never owned a fitted Stetson cowboy hat, this is where to buy one!

In the evening, catching a live concert or show at the Fox Theatre is a great way to enjoy Atlanta’s entertainment scene, and the theater is a historical sight in its own right.

If we had time for another day trip, I’d take them to Blue Ridge, Last summer my family rode the Blue Ridge Rail Bikes – pedaling along old rail tracks through the stunning countryside – and we had a great time. I’d also take my friends to some of Atlanta’s historical sights. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a powerful place to learn about the history of the Civil Rights movement, along with The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.

I love Indian food so we would have to visit one of my two favorites around the north end of Atlanta – Royal Spice in Dunwoody or Himalayas in Chamblee. My wife and I had our first date at Himalayas, which holds a special place in my heart.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As cliché as it may sound, my family has impacted my life the most. In 2002, I walked down the aisle to marry Janet, now my wife of 22 years. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of that decision—how profoundly it would shape my life, values, and understanding of resilience. Our journey has been filled with incredible experiences, adventures in places we never imagined visiting, and a level of personal growth I could never have predicted.

Shortly after we were married, I made a decision that would alter the course of our lives. I told Janet that I wanted to quit my high-paying IT job and buy an apartment complex—an idea that, in hindsight, was as bold as it was risky. Without hesitation, she supported me. When someone believes in you wholeheartedly, you can keep going, even when everything is uncertain.

Then, in 2005, our son was born. To say I was unprepared for fatherhood would be an understatement. Three months after his birth, following an MRI for a growth on his neck, we heard the words no parent ever wants to hear: “He has hemangiomas on his brain, and it does not look good. Would you like us to call the chaplain?”

I will never forget that moment, as it is paused in my brain forever. We were just told that our sweet, perfect three-month-old might not live. In that hospital room, as our world seemed to stop, he was diagnosed with PHACE Syndrome—a rare medical condition with only a few hundred known cases at the time. The years that followed were filled with uncertainty, a blur of doctor’s appointments, surgeries, emergency room visits, paralyzing migraines, and struggles in school. Our singular goal was to ensure that he could lead as normal a life as possible.

Fast forward to today, and that same little boy who once fought for his life is now 19 years old—a college freshman, thriving, and probably having a little too much fun.

Being a husband and a father has been the most meaningful and transformative experience of my life. Every challenge, every uncertain moment, every unexpected turn in the road has led me to this place. And through it all, my family’s unwavering love and support has been my foundation. If I could dedicate a shoutout to anyone, it would undoubtedly be to them—because without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Website: https://www.gogreenleafmanagement.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abziffer

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewziffer/

Twitter: https://x.com/abziffer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abziffer

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@greenleafnow