Thomas P. Waltz, also known as Tom, is co-founder and principal broker of Campana Waltz Real Estate, LLC – East. Waltz says his favorite thing about what he does is “bringing a deal to fruition.” With the “fair amount of repeat business” he receives, he says, “I am in the business of relationships. I have clients I’ve worked with for 35 years.” Many have become his friends.
Campana Waltz Commercial Real Estate, LLC is a celebrated commercial real estate firm within Hampton Roads, with two separate offices in Newport News and Williamsburg. The company remains well known in the community thanks to its dedication and its many “For Sale” signs dotting the Virginia Peninsula map in front of available properties.
Waltz is a graduate of Christopher Newport University, having earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, with a concentration in real estate. Beginning around 1986, Waltz jumped into the world of real estate professionally. Since then, he’s garnered more than 35 years of experience in the industry.
“I started with Alcam Real Estate and that went into Acam Real Estate, which was absorbed by Drucker and Falk,” Waltz says. He worked with Drucker and Falk for years, eventually conceptualizing a new business alongside his boss there, Skip Campana. In 2006, “We created Campana Waltz,” Waltz remembers. After 17 years of business together, the two chose to split the company in 2023.
“I went into the real estate business because I wanted to, in fact, save a commission when I bought a house. I had no idea what commercial real estate was at that time,” Waltz says. He never delved into the residential side of the business professionally, but the commercial real estate industry proved promising and exciting to him. The road was not a simple one; Waltz worked three jobs as his career took off and he mentions several “breaks” that made operations easier. “Some hard work, a little luck — everything’s worked out great,” he says with a smile.
A day in Waltz’s life is guaranteed to be a busy one, including meetings, appointments and other obligations within the world of sales and leasing. Throughout his career, he’s had the opportunity to work with all kinds of business owners and people in search of commercial properties — from mom-and-pop businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Waltz describes this variety as “the most enlightening way to spend your day at work.”
“Even in bad times, there are deals to be made,” Waltz says, referring to the Hampton Roads real estate market. “It’s a cyclical business, whether it’s residential or commercial. The trick is knowing where to position yourself as the wheels turn.”
Waltz’s “claim to fame deal” was selling the Chamberlin Hotel, located at Fort Monroe. After its sale, the Chamberlin was turned into a senior living facility and retirement community. Waltz describes the deal as “very, very challenging” but also “one of the most unique transactions I had ever done.”
Waltz continues: “What made it complicated was that within two weeks after I picked up the listing from an out-of-state ownership, that ownership went bankrupt.” After working through the bankruptcy court, the Chamberlin’s long-term land lease required a trip to the Pentagon and some collaboration with the U. S. Army to wrap up the property’s lease. Following the deal, Waltz received recognition from CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) through Virginia Business magazine acknowledging the sale of the Chamberlin Hotel as the Most Significant Real Estate Transaction for 2004.
“I’ve been very blessed,” Waltz says. He and his wife Janis have two sons Anthony and Travis. “I’m very proud of the fact that both of our sons obtained their real estate licenses at 18.” Anthony started and is operating a thriving garage door company. Travis, who his father says is a “natural born salesman,” works with his dad in sales and leasing as the company’s associate broker.
With two grandchildren, Waltz is enjoying his role as grandfather to children of Anthony and his wife, Sophia. In addition to enjoying his family, Waltz is an outdoor enthusiast.
TO THE POINT:
Thomas “Tom” P. Waltz
Campana Waltz Commercial Real Estate
Address: 11832 Fishing Point Dr., Ste. 400, Newport News, VA 23606
Contact: tom@campanawaltz.com
Phone: 757-327-0333
Website: campanawaltz.com
