CA Lic. 979834 | NV Lic. 0089329 | AZ ROC Lic. 343819 | ID Lic. RCE-70905
Founded in 1946 by Marvin L. “Buzz” Oates (1923–2013), Buzz Oates honors his legacy by continuing to lead Sacramento’s commercial real estate industry.
1923: Born Marvin Loren Oates on July 25 in Sacramento, California, he became a Christian at 13, shaping his values and approach to business. After school, he worked in his uncle’s lock shop, discovering a passion for the trade and a future as a locksmith.
He enlisted in the Air Force as a B-29 bombardier. During World War II, he survived mid-air collisions and once saved his crew by manually dislodging malfunctioning bombs over Osaka. He flew 30 combat missions and received the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross with a Cluster.
1946: He used the $2,000 he had saved during his military service to open his first business, naming it A&A Key Shop.
1951: A&A Key Shop evolved into A&A Key and Builders Supply, expanding its inventory to include lawn mowers, furniture, and appliances. What began as a modest $4–8 per day locksmith operation grew into a $3.5 million-a-year enterprise. Eager to move beyond retail, Buzz turned his attention to construction, inspired by the tilt-up building method he had encountered while developing A&A’s properties. He partnered with a local contractor, starting with home construction in South Land Park before advancing into commercial development.
1960: A&A Key and Builders Supply grew into Buzz Oates Enterprises, signaling a transition from retail into construction, commercial development, property management, and finance/capital markets.
1973: He purchased the former state fairgrounds and later sold the land to UC Davis for the development of the UCD Medical Center.
1979: He acquired the Senator Hotel for $2.5 million and transformed it into office space for lobbyists.
1982: Buzz transformed the former cannery on Alhambra Boulevard into 270,000 square feet of office space, now known as The Cannery.
1983: He acquired and revitalized Southgate Shopping Center, renaming it Southgate Plaza. Buzz also founded American River Bank and ultimately served as its Chairman.
1988: Buzz purchased the 50-acre Country Club Centre.
Buzz began planning his transition and established a new leadership team, appointing Phil Oates as Chairman, Larry Allbaugh as CEO, and Kevin Ramos as CIO. At the same time, Buzz Oates Enterprises was rebranded as Buzz Oates Companies, unveiling a new logo and refreshed corporate identity.
1996: Buzz founded Five Star Bank, with its stock selling out in just eight days.
2000: Buzz Oates Enterprises evolved into Buzz Oates, a vertically integrated company providing a single point of contact for a comprehensive range of commercial real estate investment services.
2013: Marvin “Buzz” Oates passes on December 7th.
2017: Buzz Oates established Pac West Office Equities, a strategic initiative to consolidate all office assets into a single institutional portfolio.
2022: Pac West Industrial Equities was established, encompassing more than 17 million square feet of industrial properties.
Historically, Buzz Oates has developed over a thousand properties, totaling more than 100 million square feet of commercial real estate, and continues to add approximately 2 million square feet and $250 million in value to the portfolio each year.
A remembrance video of founder, Marvin “Buzz” Oates to celebrate his 100th birthday.
Comstock’s Magazine featured a legacy profile of Marvin “Buzz” Oates in its September 2023 issue. Read the article at the links below.
