Chances are good that if local businessman Billy Orgel is heading out of town for a little R&R, he’ll be traveling south to the Big Easy, the city that easily tops his list of favorite places to visit.
Chances are also good that even if Orgel is driving to New Orleans for a quick getaway — he has been more than 130 times — he’ll also be keeping a sharp eye out for new business ventures.
“I’m always focused on how I can make money at what I’m doing, and that means I’m usually looking at towers,” said Orgel, founder of Tower Ventures. “I’ve even got my family in on the act, so when we’re on vacation they’ll spot towers and try to figure out if it’s a moneymaker or not.”
Considering the growth his company has experienced over the past decade, it’s pretty safe to say that Orgel possesses a keen eye for lucrative deals.
And because of that vision, the native Memphian is being honored by the Society of Entrepreneurs. He will be formally inducted into the organization April 10.
“I’m honored by it, but very humbled, too, because I realize I didn’t achieve anything all by myself,” Orgel said. “I’ve had a lot of support along the way, and I know there’s a lot I can still learn from many of the great business leaders in Memphis.”
Orgel’s path to entrepreneurship began in the mid-’80s when he returned to his hometown after studying real estate and finance at the University of Texas at Austin.
After helping out with his family’s electronics business, Orgel soon began developing deals to expand operations. An early leader in the cellular communications, Orgel built and leased cell towers just as the industry was catching fire.
“We had great timing, and I always like to say that luck is a good part of everything,” Orgel said. “Of course it wasn’t always easy, but we were determined to succeed.”
And that he has.
From his initial company and through successive incarnations of Tower Ventures, Orgel has become one of the leaders in his industry. The business, which now counts some 450 towers in nearly three dozen states, is one of the top 10 in the nation.
In addition, he has been involved in several local real estate development projects.
“Billy epitomizes what an entrepreneur is all about,” said Gwin Scott, president of EmergeMemphis. “He’s been successful in a variety of ventures, and he has also been an angel investor for some promising startups. He’s taken leadership roles in everything he’s done and has had a significant impact on every project he’s ever undertaken. I’m very excited about this honor for him.”
But as impressive as Orgel’s business accomplishments may be, there are other qualities about him that some of his friends say mean more than commercial success.
“Billy embodies the best of Jewish values in that he treats everyone the same and he follows the old rabbinical dictum, ‘Say little, do more,’” said Micah Greenstein, senior rabbi of Temple Israel, where Orgel serves as president. “He never seeks attention, but finds ways to make things happen.
“He’s honest and ethical, a family man who’s devoted to his community. It’s no accident that he’s accomplished as much as he has.”
– James Dowd: 529-2737
Billy Orgel
Age: 46
Business: Tower Ventures
Founded: 1998
Address: 4091 Viscount
Phone: 794-9494
Employees: 11
Presence: More than 450 towers in 33 states
Web site: towerventures.com

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