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Scott Andrews initially planned to be an architect. Instead of designing buildings, however, he oversees the leasing and management of more than three million square feet of commercial space in his role as president of Melvin Mark Properties.

The oldest of three brothers, Andrews was born in Hackensack, N.J., and lived in Los Angeles until he was 11. That year, his father was promoted to regional manager of Johnson Service Co., now Johnson Controls Inc., and the family moved to Portland.

It was a tough transition for Andrews, who had always excelled in school in LA but found himself about a year behind at West Sylvan Middle School.

“That was pretty difficult because the kids I went to class with just thought I was stupid,” he said. “Catching up was hard and I didn’t get good grades in high school. I was put in lower-level English classes and medium-level math classes.”

To add to the pressure, Andrews’ parents had definite academic plans for him beyond high school.

“Neither of my parents have a college education, but they always made it very clear to me that I was going to have one,” he said.

Andrews graduated from Lincoln High School in 1970 and studied architecture for his first two years at the University of Oregon. He had taken some business classes along the way and found he actually preferred that as a potential career. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, graduating from UO with honors in 1974.

Andrews married his wife, Linda, the same year and got his first post-college job as a clerk for PacifiCorp. “I hated it because I had to sit behind a desk all day.”

Now the father of two adult sons and president of Melvin Mark Properties, Andrews is rarely cooped up in an office. While the recession has presented its share of trouble – commercial property values have fallen by at least 30 percent over the last two years – Andrews continues to enjoy the profession some 30 years after he entered it.

“I like the variety of things you have to be able to do in this position, from understanding the marketplace and the tenants to being able to present projects and opportunities to sell,” he said.

Melvin Mark Companies recently won top honors in BOMA Portland’s Office Energy Showdown, which recognizes property owners who strive to conserve electricity. Andrews said energy efficiency is an ongoing focus for the company.

“We have our own internal engineering staff and for years we have worked on continually upgrading buildings based on new technologies that have become available, whether it’s mechanical or lighting or even elevator systems,” he said. “We’ve replaced the lighting system in the Crown Plaza four times because of new technologies.”

Andrews, who previously chaired the Portland Business Alliance, now heads Mall Management Inc. and in June 2009 became chairman of the Portland Development Commission. He said he relishes the challenges that accompany that role.

“There’s quite a bit of time involved, but there has not been someone on the commission for about 10 years with a real estate or development background,” he said, “so I think I’ve been helpful in a lot of ways.”

Who was a mentor who helped shape you into the person you are today? What did that person teach you?

“Definitely Pete Mark. He taught me that relationships are very important, and that it’s important to give back and be sure to make your city and community a better place.”

Tell us something about yourself that most people might not know.

“I was on the University of Oregon bowling team as a freshman.”