But Grubb regional managing director Michael J. O'Hanlon tells GlobeSt.com that the firm has hired East-West Corridor office specialist Michael J. Fortuna away from Cushman & Wakefield, where O'Hanlon once worked.

Kling admits the pair had been scouting out greener pastures for a year. "There is a common thread among most of our customers," he says in a statement. "They are not only looking for service providers anymore. They need marketing/management partners. This moves us into a position to partner with each of our customers as we move into the next cycle."

Kling and Prock boast a client list that includes Massachusetts Mutual/Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors, Prudential Realty Group, Principal Financial, Archon Group, and Higgins Development Partners. However, O'Hanlon believes other players in-house are stepping up.

"Kling and Prock, we've shored up," O'Hanlon tells GlobeSt.com. "Mike Fortuna is an expert in the East-West Corridor. He has a very focused, market approach."

Not many would tread in the submarket, which is still suffering because of the tech downturn. The worst effects are being felt in the western end - in Lisle and Naperville - where O'Hanlon notes floor plates are much larger.

"Oak Brook is suffering now, but it will come back first," O'Hanlon says. "Oak Brook will always do OK."

So will Grubb & Ellis' local operations, says O'Hanlon. Besides filling the void left by the defections to CB&K, O'Hanlon he has heard from "a half-dozen" candidates. They may not have called if Kling and Prock had stayed, O'Hanlon suggests, because in essence they would be playing behind, or serve as "blockers" for the duo.

"When certain people leave, there's opportunities, from inside and outside the organization," O'Hanlon says.

Instant Insights /

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