"We're excited about it," Richards tells GlobeSt.com of theadditions, which were announced along with several promotions.Among those moving up the RBJ ladder are Kristin Connelly todirector of national accounts and Brian Connelly to associate vicepresident, while Chris McCauley was named VP and Brendan Carrollhas been appointed VP of research. Renee Twerago is now VP offinance and administration, Robert Byrne was named an associate andSamantha Bullock is the new manager of information technology.

The two brokerage hires are a bit out of character for RBJ'stypical recruitment philosophy, says Richards, having generallyfavored prospects inexperienced in real estate because the companywants to train them for a system that eschews commissions as a wayof encouraging teamwork. Not only is RBJ now among the topcommercial real estate firms in the region based on square footagerepresented, it was also recently ranked as the leader inproductivity per broker. "It's a proven formula," maintainsRichards, and Nugent embraces the RBJ model after being atcommission shops Grubb & Ellis and most recently Jones LangLaSalle.

"There's no question that their approach to the business isdifferent than other firms and better for the client," says Nugent,who watched as RBJ burst on the local scene in June 2001 aftereight industry professionals from national firms joined Richards totake on heavyweights such as CBRE/New England, Cushman &Wakefield and the erstwhile Trammell Crow Co. "When you look atwhat they have accomplished, it's amazing," says Nugent. RBJ isprevalent in every Massachusetts market and today services clientsboth nationally and internationally, overcoming the unfortunatetiming of starting just months before the US terrorist attacks anda subsequent economic slump still dogging New England.