Jim Weir, formerly a vice president, is the new senior vice president of brokerage for the Dallas-based Retail Connection, making the move without any down time after 5.5 years at the Woodmont Co. The change isn't without additional upside beyond the promotion. "I'll have more concentration on project leasing in conjunction with my ongoing tenant rep," Weir tells GlobeSt.com. "This is a much better platform for me."

The Fort Worth-based Woodmont's leader Stephen Coslik did not return a telephone call for comment about the executive loss. Greg Rabin, executive vice president, is assuming Weir's project leasing duties for 1.5 million sf under development in North Texas and Mississippi.

"We are excited and proud to have Jim join our brokerage team," Steve Zimmerman, managing director of brokerage, says in a press release about yet another hiring coup of a competitor's point man. "He will add significant focus and strength to both our tenant representation and project leasing platforms."

Weir says there a couple deals pending that will enable him to hit the streets running on the development front. The Retail Connection has been rapidly gaining market share in development, acquisition and leasing since CEO Steven A. Lieberman started it in January 2004. The 57-employee firm now has 28 brokers, 16 of whom have climbed to the senior level, in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

"This is the new company, the chargers, the energy of the industry. And, they're not doing business as my father did it," Weir stresses. "I'm really looking forward to working with all these young brokers."