"We're a full-service real estate firm, and retail has been a glaring need we've seen for a few years," comments Derek Land, co-managing partner with Stream Realty's Austin office. "We've known for awhile we were going to do this. It was just a matter of finding the right person."

He tells GlobeSt.com that personnel at Stream Realty had known Dabbs for years, and bringing him on board had been a mutual endeavor. Dabbs brought with him leasing and management contracts of ten retail centers totaling 1.2 million square feet in Austin and San Antonio. Dabbs' major responsibilities will include strategic planning and asset management in addition to leasing.

Dabbs comes to the job with more than two decades of experience; prior to his stint with Endeavor Real Estate, he was Trammell Crow Co.'s retail division head. Brauchle, before co-founding Carden Asset Management, led the retail property management team at Endeavor and was also property management liaison with LaSalle Investment Management, Archon Group and A&B Properties. Meanwhile Holt has had positions with Endeavor Real Estate and Trammell Crow Co.'s Austin office.

Land says Stream Realty's Austin office is not alone in trying to beef up the retail side of the practice. The Dallas office has also brought some personnel on board to handle retail. To date, the Houston office has not yet done so, though not for lack of trying. "I know they're working on it," he remarks. "This is much more about finding the right person than trying to find a person to fill a spot."