Born and raised in Portland, Menashe grew up in a modest household as one of five children. He attended Wilson High School before heading to the University of Oregon, where a fraternity connection introduced him to the real estate world. By the end of his senior year, Menashe had already earned his real estate license.
He landed his first job with Stan Wiley Inc. Realtors, where Menashe discovered his passion for connecting with clients, and his talents quickly made him a top producer in the Portland area.
Menashe found himself drawn to the industry’s limitless potential. “I love that the sky is the limit. You’re your own boss and you get what you put into it.”
Soon after, he reinvested commission earnings and made his first personal investment, purchasing and renting out a $17,000 house on SW Oak Street in Portland.
In 1978, at the age of 24, he launched Barry Menashe, Inc. Realtors, continuing to focus on residential properties. His success was immediate and the business grew, rooted in a deep understanding of the market.
“Being a good buyer means knowing and understanding your local market—what you’re trading and selling for—and intimately learning locations.”
A few years later, he bought a major commercial property at SW 11th and SW Washington, the first of many larger deals. But Menashe chose not to rapidly expand his company’s workforce. Instead, he kept operations lean, doing much of the work himself.
The early 1990s were all about growth; so much growth that the company transitioned entirely from brokerage to property ownership. The company has grown to over 50 employees, including his two children Jordan and Lauren, with Barry still enthusiastically at the helm. With Jordan’s leadership to expand investment outside of Portland, Menashe Properties now also operates in Denver, Dallas, Seattle, and Chicago.
Barry’s relationship with PSU began when he received a call from Julie Gibson, former Executive Director of the Center for Real Estate. His commitment to PSU and the Center for Real Estate stems from multiple motivations—his deep belief in the value of education, his experience as a first-generation college graduate, and his recognition of PSU’s role in Portland’s vitality. Drawn to the university’s motto, “Let Knowledge Serve the City,” Menashe believes that PSU’s success is essential to the city’s future.
His contributions—including funding the Menashe Executive Directorship and a $100,000 gift to the Center’s operating fund—reflect his commitment to mentorship and education. He acknowledges the role that education and networking, particularly with other seasoned professionals in Portland’s real estate community, played in shaping his own career.
As Menashe Properties nears its 50th anniversary, Menashe remains focused on the future. His approach has always been rooted in thoughtful growth, and he continues to see opportunities even in today’s “wildest real estate times,” adding, “but we’re in it—in business and in Portland—for the long haul.”
His advice to aspiring real estate professionals? “I built a network from scratch. Build a network. You can be bold; people are gracious in this town. Just dip your toe in and learn a little. Knowledge is power.”