Apprentice 2 winner Kelly Perdew discusses his boss, his boss' hair and his new duties as promoter of a pricey condo project in Tampa.
By JAY CRIDLIN, Times Staff Writer
Published January 20, 2005
[Photo: NBC]
Donald Trump, left, and software executive Kelly Perdew talk during the Apprentice 2 season finale in December.
Donald Trump is pulling out all the stops to hype his newest condo project, Trump Tower Tampa - as if the building's 52 stories, $6-million-per-unit price tag and inevitable gold-plated bathroom fixtures weren't enough.
Word is, Trump is sending Kelly Perdew, the 37-year-old California software executive plucked from relative obscurity to win The Apprentice 2 , to handle promotional duties for the luxurious complex planned for downtown Tampa.
For Perdew, who lived in and around Tampa and Sarasota for about eight years growing up, the project will offer a chance to reconnect to his roots.
"I'm just excited to see it," he said, "and get reacquainted with Tampa."
Perdew recently talked Trump, the tower and Tampa with the St. Petersburg Times . Here's what he had to say:
See, I thought you chose to work in New York. But you're coming to Tampa. I guess whatever Donald wants, Donald gets. Oh, yeah. I won't be living in Tampa, but I'll be actively involved in the promotion. I'll be in and out. My father lives in Englewood, just south of Sarasota, and I've got friends who live in Tampa. And I know the area really well; I actually lived in Tampa for a year.
What do you remember about the area?
Ybor City. The pirate ship. I've fished in the gulf before, and I'm looking forward to it while I'm there. I tell you what I miss the most, having lived in Southern California for 12 years - I really miss the 3 p.m., massive downpour thunderstorms. Then an hour later, it's all humid and steamy. I'm sure that over the past year, nobody in Florida was excited about bad weather. But there is something I miss about the storms.
How would Trump's hair hold up in a hurricane?
(Laughs.) Well, I've seen him get out of a helicopter, and it holds up just fine. It'll fly around and get messed up, and he'll run his hand through it, and it'll be right back looking just like it does.
Tell me about Trump Tower Tampa - or, as I like to think of it, the "Triple-T."
There you go, the Triple-T. It looks phenomenal in the drawings. A hundred-ninety units, and I know they've sold a significant number of those in advance. The attention to detail and the quality that are Trump trademarks are definitely in existence here. One of those no-expense-spared, gorgeous facilities. Just a phenomenal building. And the partners that are involved are top-notch. I'm sure it's going to be a big success.
Yeah, but you've lived here, you've seen downtown Tampa. It ain't exactly Marvin Gardens. Who's buying these condos?
People who want to live in the highest-quality, best place they can. And those are in every city. Tampa's a significant city, and it's got a good size. With all the sports teams, the real estate and everything else, there's definitely people who are interested in owning something like a place in one of the Trump buildings.
You're a military guy. Tampa is a military town. Any connections there?
I know a couple of people that have been lawyers inside the Air Force that have been at MacDill. I've gotten e-mails from all over the planet, literally, from people saying, "Congratulations! Way to represent people from the military!" Right now, I've been approached by lots of different military organizations, and I'm happy to help them out in any way that I can. I think a lot of people forget in their daily lives that there's people out there putting it on the line.
Tampa's got another reputation, as you may be aware. We're one of the strip club capitals of the country.
I wasn't aware of that. I have heard it's a party town, but I didn't realize that it was a strip club capital. You learn something new every day.
I guess that's not going to be a problem, though, because we all know Donald's views on beautiful women.
Which is, he doesn't have a problem with beautiful women.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Do you find people take you more or less seriously since The Apprentice?
I have been approached for so many types of business deals, just because of the exposure. I haven't noticed any drop. It felt like the stuff that was actually portrayed (on television) showed me in a positive light. I haven't gotten anybody going, "It's a reality show! What were you doing?" I was pretty serious on the show, and I executed. And then my business background speaks for itself.
Did you own anything gold-plated before winning The Apprentice? How about now?
(Laughs.) I don't think I had anything gold-plated before. And I don't have a lot of things that are gold-plated now.
See, I always thought that would be a good prize for The Apprentice. If you win, Donald dips you in gold.
Well, then the real winner would be the runnerup.
I guess so. Who's more powerful, Donald Trump or reality TV guru and Apprentice creator Mark Burnett?
I think they're both incredibly good at what they do. Burnett's phenomenal in the television production industry. Talk about a genius - what's Survivor on, No. 11? Twelve? And what is a reality show, especially something lik e The Apprentice or Survivor? It's an hour of television with unpaid talent. It's commercials broken up by commercials. From a business model, it's pretty powerful, right?
Mr. Trump - I mean, he's a walking brand. Just having his name involved with something increases the value. That's phenomenal. And if you look at how he's performed from a real estate standpoint - he's an expert.
What about Kelly Perdew vs. first Apprentice winner Bill Rancic?
Bill Rancic will always be the first apprentice, right? You'll have to ask Mr. Trump what he thinks after the next 12 months. I don't think we'll have to go head-to-head on anything, as far as I know.
Hey, there was a Survivor: All-Stars. Maybe there'll be an Apprentice: All-Stars.
(Laughs.) Who knows?
Final question. There are a lot of great beaches around here. Trump boardroom adviser Carolyn Kepcher: One-piece or bikini?
Oh! Probably bikini. She comes across as pretty severe - I don't know if "cold" is the right word - but Carolyn is fantastic. She's a great businesswoman, and I've enjoyed the time that I have gotten to spend with her.
