Tae Kwon Do Becomes an Olympic Sport

Neill Sullivan is an Oakland-based real estate executive who founded Sullivan Management, LLC, and REO Homes, LLC. Among his many community-wide initiatives, Neill helped launch the Sullivan Community Space, which offers free martial arts classes to local youth. One discipline of focus at the classes is tae kwon do.

Though the Korean martial art was first developed more than 2000 years ago, it was excluded from early Olympic programming. Judo made its Olympic debut at the 1968 Games in Mexico City, while tae kwon do was first included on the program as a demonstration sport in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea, 15 years after the city hosted the first ever World Championships. It wasn't until the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia, that it became an official medal sport. 

No country has dominated the podium, though Korea, China, and Turkey have had considerable success. Medals have been won by Canadians, Americans, and Germans, among others. In fact, the Rio 2016 Games produced a pair of firsts as Jordan's Ahmad Abughaush and Ivory Coast's Cheick Sallah Cissé won the first ever Olympic gold medals for their countries, both in tae kwon do.

New Security Cameras Gifted to KIPP Bridge Charter School

REO Homes founder and president Neill Sullivan uses his position as a business leader to help improve his West Oakland, California community. In addition to generous donations to schools and community programs, Neill Sullivan recently gifted a full security camera system to a local middle school. 

In the spring of 2014, thieves took advantage of spring break at KIPP Bridge Charter School in West Oakland, California. On four separate occasions during the break, intruders gained entry and caused trouble. They broke windows, vandalized classrooms, and stole 200 of the school's Chromebook laptops. 

The school immediately instituted emergency 24-hour security measures, but it was local business REO Homes that stepped in with a permanent solution. The company donated security cameras and had them installed at the nearby school in order to discourage future crimes. 

Students and teachers alike thanked REO Homes representatives at a special assembly the following year, expressing their appreciation for the equipment and the feelings of safety that came with it. Students offered up cheers and special musical presentations as a thank you for the gift.

Transcendental Meditation Can Offer Many Benefits to Practioners

 

Sullivan Management Company, LLC, and REO Homes, LLC, founder and president Neill Sullivan enjoys leading a healthy, active lifestyle. When he is not overseeing renovation efforts and other residential construction projects in the Oakland area, Neill Sullivan enjoys playing recreational basketball and practicing transcendental meditation.

There are numerous physical and psychological benefits that have been associated with transcendental meditation (TM). Individuals who regularly practice TM have been able to address issues such as insomnia, stress, anxiety, hypertension, and more. Nearly 400 peer-reviewed research papers have found a number of additional TM wellness benefits as they pertain to everyday life.

Those who routinely engage in TM activities have been documented as enjoying a sense of inner calm throughout the course of the day, thanks in part to a reduced presence of the stress hormone cortisol. Meditation has been reported to benefit issues of high blood pressure and mitigate the chances of heart attack and stroke. Research also has indicated that meditation can enhance a person’s capacity for memory and overall brain function.

Three Ways to Help Foster Financial Literacy in Your Teenager

Neill Sullivan is the founder and CEO of Sullivan Management Company and REO Homes. In addition to his work rehabilitating Victorian and vintage houses in both Oakland and Berkeley in California, Neill Sullivan is also passionate about promoting financial literacy among youth.

With average personal debt at an all-time high, the importance of teaching children and teenagers responsible personal finance practices is more important than ever. Below are three important way you can help get your teen off to a good start in building financial literacy.

One of the most important lessons you can teach your teen is the importance of delaying gratification. Thousands of dollars worth of credit are available to most of us at the touch of a button, but rather than going for that quick fix, the act of saving is a valuable teaching tool for teens, and adults as well. Children don't tend to think in terms of the long game. They can be tempted to blow their allowances and paychecks on that expensive pair of shoes, but you can stress the importance of saving for later by illustrating how they could eventually buy something more expensive, such as a car, if they put that money aside.

Another great lesson you can teach your teen is the importance of a budget by making them stick to one each month. Instead of doling out dollars here and there when they ask, give them a set amount at the beginning of each month with the understanding that it's up to them to manage it wisely. In the first few months, they may come to you later and ask for more money, having spent through their original allowance too quickly. By not giving in, however, you teach them a valuable lesson about planning their money wisely according to a budget.

Even better than an allowance, nudging your teen to get a job can go further toward developing financial literacy in their lives. When they don't receive an allowance and have to work for their money, your teen might think twice about blowing it all at once, especially if they are paying for expenses such as car insurance.

KIPP Academy 11/5/15