Bruce Mosler, Cushman & Wakefield president and chief executive-elect, tells GlobeSt.com that Harbert will fill a leadership role in this newly created position for the firm. "He will provide mentorship, particularly for Ken (Krasnow, C&W's executive managing director for the New York region.) "He is a highly intelligent and highly effective executive whose success is the result of his innovative ideas and business acumen."

Harbert says he's long been an admirer of C&W. "Having spent more than 20 years in New York real estate, I've always been impressed by its client focus and the strength of its long-term relationships."

In response to the move, a CBRE spokesperson says, "He's a great guy and we wish him well. His departure is not unexpected and we've been planning a realignment in our brokerage operations and expect to have plans announced in a couple of days."

The industry veteran handled office brokerage operations for CBRE in Midtown and Downtown, and he was responsible for management of retail services, investment sales, consulting, agency leasing and asset services. Prior to the merger with CBRE, he filled the positions of senior managing director and eventually chief operating officer for Insignia/ESG for its New York Metro Region.