Joe’s Biography

JoePentecostJoe Pentecost was an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and longtime supporter of many Michigan State University programs. Joe was born in Dresden, Tennessee and attended college at the University of Tennessee. After a tour in the National Guard, Joe joined Standard Oil Co. as a sales representative and soon became the real estate manager for Standard Oil in the state of Michigan.

In 1962, he left to pursue a career in commercial real estate development, and the rest is history. Over the years, Joe was involved in over 2,000 real estate-related transactions and played an integral part in the shaping of the greater Lansing business landscape.

His business and social associations included:

  • Owner and president of Better Properties, Inc.
  • Founding director of Republic Bank
  • Chairman of the board of Republic Bancorp
  • Central

 director of First Union (Wachovia) National Bank of Florida
  • 
Founding director of Mercantile Bank of Naples, Florida
  • Co-founder of the National Association of Corporate Real Estate
 Executives (NACORE)
  • Member of Walnut Hills Country Club in East Lansing
  • Michigan

 member of Prestancia Country Club in Sarasota, Florida
  • Member of the Elks
  • Shriner of Elf Khurafeh Temple, Saginaw, MI
  • Lifetime member Ashlar Masonic Lodge, #91, Detroit, MI

Joe’s love of and support for MSU goes back more than 35 years.
 His philanthropy was consistent, generous and has affected many people over the years as a result of major contributions to:

  • The Spartan Stadium expansion project/MSU football program
  • Berkowitz Basketball Complex
  • Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center
  • Animal science program
  • Wrestling lockerroom renovations
  • MSU College of Human Medicine
  • Jack Breslin Endowed Professorship in oncology
  • Summer Jobs for Student Athletes program

His affiliations with MSU are:

  • Member of the Ralph Young Fund, Scholarship level
  • Member of the MSU Snyder Society
  • Life member of the MSU Alumni Association
  • Honorary member of the MSU varsity alumni “S” Club
  • Charter member of the Langdon Legacy Society