Veteran Ted D. Uzelac steps into the role of president while Cliff R. Fischer holds onto the chairman and CEO slots. The changes, Uzelac tells GlobeSt.com, gives Fischer more time to concentrate on new business, strategic planning and implementing new technologies for clients. "Cliff is now the strategic leader, the idea person," he adds.

Those new strategies bring an office in Pittsburgh's CBD to establish an East Coast presence and serve clients Alcoa and FedEx Ground, both based in the revitalized Steel City. Larry Teal, executive vice president and now partner, will lead the charge along with three top brokers that he lured from Langholtz Wilson in Pittsburgh.

Chris Joiner, another executive vice president, also becomes a partner, taking the firm to three. And partner W. Scott Bumpas moves into the vice chairman's role.

The 15-year-old Fischer & Co. has a reputation for being "a quiet company," Uzelac tells GlobeSt.com. That is changing somewhat as the 40-broker firm looks to broaden its base beyond Dallas, Los Angeles and Memphis. Uzelac says watch for other office openings, most likely in Atlanta and the Midwest, perhaps even another in the West. "We are selectively looking at new markets," he says. Brokers will be added as needed.

Pittsburgh was the logical starting point due to Alcoa and FedEx Ground. Atlanta is on the radar screen because the firm just signed the town's major force, Cingular Wireless, as well as Birmingham, AL-based Regions Bank.

Fischer is well known for innovative thinking, being one of the first to roll out real estate database software nearly 15 years ago. That software today, which has gone through many versions, is now the crux for a high number of Fortune 100, 500 and 1,000 companies that Fischer counts as his "best of class" clients.

Uzelac says the game book maps out the method to "divide and conquer in a big way." Talks are under way some new accounts. "And it's looking very promising," he says, careful not to divulge which big name is being courted.

Uzelac, who joined the firm in 1996, says Fischer & Co. will remain a tenant rep operation. There are no plans to test the waters of other commercial real estate pools. "That's our greatest selling point," explains Uzelac. "I think what we're doing more than anything is doing what we've been doing...leading the industry technologically and growing the business. We know our niche. It's working with corporate real estate and truly working on the tenant side of the equation.