"Tony has an extraordinary track record in the real estateindustry and is widely respected as one of the leading consultantsserving the talent needs of public and private companies engaged inthe real estate business," says Michael Franzino, global marketmanaging director of Korn/Ferry's global financial services market,in a release. "He brings the knowledge, proven track record andknow-how to further establish Korn/Ferry as a leading human capitalsolutions firm in the real estate industry."

LoPinto tells GlobeSt.com that while the future of real estatemarkets still remains in flux, a brighter fate awaits thosesearching for jobs. "The transactional side [of commercial realestate] has not become invigorated," he explains. "But when thatgears up, that will fuel organizational changes." He notes that aspublic markets become active, with IPOs, etc., the organizationaleffects will follow, namely management teams, particularly thosewith experience in public markets.

His career has spanned executive positions in finance andcapital markets, development and investments with Bankers Trust,Mobil Land Development Corp., Cushman & Wakefield, FirstChicago and the Charles E. Smith Co., where he managed thecompany's New York Stock Exchange IPO. The international company isacquiring his services in a volatile time for hiring, with nationalunemployment currently in the double digits.