The company has a branch in Milwaukee, and it was time toenhance the Midwest presence, said principal Richard Spinell in astatement. The Minneapolis office will be full-service, includingtenant representation, shopping center leasing, propertymanagement, construction management and investment sales, hesaid.

Sims tells GlobeSt.com that the new office has a handful ofemployees, and "I'm talking to a couple brokers to hire now. We'llgrow as we find the talent." Sims says he's worked with Mid-Americafor years through various business ventures, and that the timingwas perfect for what he wanted to do. "They had their eye onMinnesota, and it's a key place to be in the Midwest. They want toserve their current clients and relationships that have assets inthe state."

The former tenant rep says he has close contact with his formerclients, including Lowe's Home Improvement, TJX Cos., Best Buy, CVSand Wendy's, as well as with development clients Ryan Cos, Opus andPBK Investments. He's also past president of the Minnesota ShoppingCenter Association. "Lowe's is a main client of mine since theystarted their market roll-out here four years ago," Sims says. He'salso been heavily involved in local developments, such as RyanCos.' Dean Lakes in Shakopee, MN, a 300-acre mixed-use project withresidential and office. "I did all the retail for that, including aLowe's and a CVS," he says. He's also worked with Opus on bringinga Lowe's and Kohl's to Cambridge, MN.