"We bill ourselves as a full-service operation, but what we've always lacked is a focus on retail," says Fred J. Baca, president of Collier's Houston office. Colliers' retail group mainly focused on land acquisitions, but Baca says he wants to see the company become more involved in retail from all sides. "We needed a lightning rod to spearhead growth in that area," he adds. "MSC is it."

Clinkscales brings 36 years of industry experience to Colliers with a focus in retail site selection and asset management services. The MSC Properties' team also does office tenant representation, land acquisition and development.

Baca says MSC Properties will keep its name at least one year although the staff will be working from Colliers' offices at 1300 Post Oak Blvd., beginning Monday. Colliers' corporate set-up means companies can affiliate with the brand name while remaining independent contractors.

"That's what attracted Marshall to our company," Baca says. "He can remain an entrepreneur in charge of his own business, but will be affiliated with some high-end professionals in the industry."

Baca tells GlobeSt.com that MSC Properties is the first of more affiliations for Colliers, with a new partnership likely to be unveiled as early as next week. "We started this year asking what the year would look like, especially with tough market conditions," Baca explains. "My response was we'll go for share, we'll grow."

Baca says that in the current market climate, some smaller firms might be getting nervous about their position and ability to survive. "We'd like to think of Colliers as a safe harbor for that talent to land," he says.