by Stephanie Cartozian
Walter Neubauer, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer of Conesys, a Torrance-based manufacturer of fiber optics and other interconnect systems. The company has manufacturing facilities in Tecate, Mexico, and Toulouse, France. Its worldwide clients include Space X in El Segundo, the United States military and commercial airlines.
The company was founded by Neubauer’s German-born father in 1983, and Neubauer has worked there since he was nine. Following his father’s passing, in 2002, Neubauer spun off some of their ancillary businesses and consolidated the management. The company currently has over 1,000 employees, most of them at a 200,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Torrance.
In 2013, Neubauer purchased a 10,484 square foot, Mediterranean estate for his family of four children. The home was built in 1999 with a panoramic view of Catalina, on a cul de sac in the Montemalaga neighborhood. Neubauer recently hosted the Peninsula Education Foundation’s major donor wine tasting at his home.
“It was a great event. I was happy to see so many people come together again,” he said.
The home is a reflection of his company’s success.
It includes a four-car garage with slate wall paneling and polished, black tile flooring. His cars include a 2020 Rolls Royce Phantom, a 2020 Rolls Royce Cullinan, a 2019 Ferrari 480 Spider convertible, and a 2015 Lamborghini Aventador.
An equally distinctive aspect of the home is a safe room connected to the master bedroom. Fort Knox is stenciled on the vault door and inside are security cameras, water, and ventilation systems.
The safe room also contains rare, museum quality guns, including a Gatling from the 1860s.
The media room features a statue of Al Pacino, from a scene in the 1983 movie “Scarface.” An oversized fireplace, flanked by lions, dominates the billiards room. They also have the best pool cue which is low-deflection, made with high end quality wood. Its French theme was inspired by Neubauer’s frequent trips to his company’s facilities in Toulouse.
The home included six ensuites, a separate maid’s quarters, a gym, a library and formal living and dining great room that opens up to a gourmet kitchen.
Neubauer says that he’s been fortunate in business in having been surrounded by good people, and he has always worked hard. Nothing has come easy for him, but the bumps and curves along the way have made what he’s accomplished all the more satisfying, he said.
When asked if he’ll be visiting Toulouse anytime soon, now that the pandemic is over, Neubauer replied, “It’s funny that while I make the parts for airplanes, I have a fear of flying.”
The Neubauer home at 999 Paseo La Cresta, Palos Verdes Estates is currently listed with Lily Liang. Visit Lilyliang.com to learn more. PEN
