TAMPA -- Josh Streitmatter first met Bill Eshenbaugh and Ryan Sampson when they guest-lectured
in his real estate courses at the University of South Florida.
Eshenbaugh discussed the art of negotiating land deals in the Real Estate Development
class while Sampson drilled down on market analysis and finding opportunities during
a financial crisis in the Real Estate Valuation class.
As a finance student who is minoring in real estate, Streitmatter saw the commercial
land development veterans as titans in an industry he longed to enter after graduation.
Those classroom talks about the world of land brokerage had a lasting impact — reinforcing
Streitmatter’s dream of a career in the commercial real estate industry.
“I liked how wise and down-to-earth Bill was,” Streitmatter said. “In commercial real
estate, there are some nice haircuts and better paychecks that can make professionals
lose focus of who or what they are but that was not the case with Bill. His lecture
gave me hope that I could make it in the industry while staying true to myself.”
After class, Streitmatter reached out to Eshenbaugh to seek his advice on navigating
the early years of a career.
“Bill was kind enough to get on a Zoom call with me. And then the Zoom call turned
into coffee. Coffee turned into breakfast. Breakfast turned into lunch,” Streitmatter
said.
Sampson, the principal at Eshenbaugh Land Company — the company that Eshenbaugh founded
in 1992 — was just as engaging, inside and outside of the classroom.
Ryan Sampson, right, attends the USF Real Estate Pitch Competition.
“Land brokerage is not the fastest or the flashiest way to make a living, but hearing Ryan’s insights, it was clear he shared those same humble qualities of Bill, had done very well for himself, and treated everyone as a friend,” Streitmatter said.
In the spring of 2024, Streitmatter sought out Sampson, whose property was part of
a USF student real estate pitch competition.
Ultimately, it was the relationships that Streitmatter developed outside of the classroom
that led to his next big ask: an internship within the commercial and brokerage firm.
In August, Streitmatter started as a research and marketing associate at Eshenbaugh
Land Company, where he helps draft property summaries and develop customer relationships
to secure land deals.
And this fall, Streitmatter’s journey at USF came full circle — he accompanied Eshenbaugh
back to the same real estate class where they first met — sharing what he’s learned
as an intern.
“I liked how wise and down-to-earth Bill was. His lecture gave me hope that I could make it in the industry while staying true to myself,” — Josh Streitmatter
Set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in finance in December, Streitmatter said
he was excited to contribute to the same educational experience that shaped his own
path.
“It’s been an incredible experience to return to the classroom as a guest speaker,
especially knowing that I’m still a student myself,” Streitmatter said. “The wisdom
Eshenbaugh and Sampson shared with me sparked my passion for real estate, and now
I get to pass on what I’ve learned from working with them to the next group of students.
It’s a full-circle moment.”
Eshenbaugh said it typically takes three years to establish one’s self in the land
brokerage business, and he believes Streitmatter is well on his way.
“I see integrity in his eyes,” Eshenbaugh said of Streitmatter. “I enjoyed our different
meal discussions. I wish I had been as focused at 40, let alone at 21 or 22 years
old like he is. I liked his focus, which is hard to find these days among a lot of
his contemporaries.”
Outside of gaining a foothold in the real estate industry, Streitmatter’s academic
and professional endeavors at USF included the college’s Business Honors Program,
the Judy Genshaft Honors College, and student organizations like the Real Estate Society
and Beta Alpha Psi. He also founded the USF student group Future Leaders of America.
“Starting Future Leaders of America has been a passion project of mine. We’re focused
on developing the skills and mindset that will prepare our generation to take on leadership
roles across industries. It’s about building a foundation for future success,” he
said.
Streitmatter plans to stay with the Eshenbaugh Land Company after graduation and is
excited to see what his future brings.
“I love seeing how Florida is changing and that all starts with the land, and I couldn’t
ask for a better company to be with,” Streitmatter said.