Lessons Learned

Almost four years ago, I wrote a column after my father passedaway reflecting on the lessons I learned from him that have helpedme navigate my career. I recently had one of the most importantlessons reinforced. Last week, my son Christopher passed away atthe age of 33. I originally was not going to write this columnabout this very personal situation, but I decided that Christopherprovided me with an important lesson well worth sharing. At a youngage, Chris had the deep and lasting friendships of a much older andwiser man. He was passionate and dedicated to each and everyrelationship that he had. No less than 400 friends, family,co-workers, business clients, passing acquaintances, and fraternitybrothers came for one last visit. What I learned, that I had notfully appreciated, was that he had a special knack forestablishing, managing, and most importantly, religiouslymaintaining deep relationships and communicating regularly witheveryone that he knew (even Calvin, the owner of the local Chineserestaurant). The point of this story is that my father counseled mewhen I left the house on my first day of work, that real estate isa relationship business. In the end, Christopher taught me thatlife is all about relationships...not a bad way to navigate thoughincreasingly difficult times.

JobOpportunities COSTARGROUP Inside SalesManager (BETHESDA, MD) The manager will ensure that all team members andthe over all tele-sales team achieves all assigned revenue goals;develop, mentor, and help grow assigned sales staff; providefeedback to management and recommend changes and modifications toestablished procedures & guidelines; and ensure adherence toestablished procedures and guidelines; among other duties. FORTRESS INVESTMENTGROUP LLC Lease Analyst (LOS ANGELES) The lease analyst will be responsible for cash flowmodeling; monthly internal reporting; regular lender reporting;market research; due diligence coordination with third party firms;lease abstracting; preparing investment memorandums; and some siteinspections. ATB FINANCIAL Director, Corporate Properties and CustomerService (CALGARY, ALBERTA) The director will be responsible for theplanning, development and operation of corporate space for alllines of business; the planning, development and operation ofadditional store-front locations to support delivery channels forinvestor services, independent business and agriculture, and otheremerging lines of business; managing corporate facilities teamsincluding mailroom, porter services and facilities customerservices teams; among other duties. SELECTLEADERS Senior Asset Manager – Multi-family (BUFFALO) The asset manager will develop and implement operatingbudgets and financial forecasts; implement proactive strategies toaddress operational, financial, and compliance issues; andunderstand and review regional and metropolitan economic anddemographic trends and key multifamily markets, and recommendrental adjustments and leasing concessions; among other duties. CB RICHARD ELLIS Senior Property Manager (TACOMA, WA) This position reports to the senior director accountoperations and will be responsible for management and operations ofthe leased property portfolio with supervisory responsibility forthe property manager and lease analyst; maintaining credible,pro-active relationships with MHS clients, tenants and landlords;assuring that all A/R leases, IUAs and A/P leases (when assigned)are renewed on a timely basis in order to meet MHS complianceguidelines; among other duties. WEINGARTENREALTY INVESTORS Assistant Director of Development (WESTMINSTER, CA) The assistant director will conduct thedevelopment operations in their assigned region, which includessourcing, originating and securing development/redevelopmentopportunities and anchor commitments; managing the development teamin the processing of all pre-development activities; and monitorand direct the development team during construction and lease-upagainst approved budget and proforma; among other duties. BROOKFIELD Associate, Real Estate Private Equity (NEW YORK CITY) The associate is responsible for the developmentof detailed corporate financial models (M&A / LBO, etc) andperformance of valuation and credit analysis; conducting companyand industry research; planning and assisting with the duediligence process; preparation of presentation materials andanalysis to present deals to internal investment committees andthird party investors; organization and coordination of largeworking groups; among other duties. HARBOR GROUP INTERNATIONAL Vice President, Multifamily PropertyManagement (NORFOLK, VA) The VP will oversee the transition of acquiredproperties and new management assignments to HGMC businessprocesses; coordinate the refinement of multifamily managementprocesses and procedures; utilize effective leadership skills inmotivating, developing, mentoring and retaining staff, and foreffectively delegating work; among other duties. PromotionsNo more than one submission per company will be considered perweek. Submissions with multiple names will be capped at three forcoverage in Executive Watch. CBRICHARD ELLIS OF VIRGINIA, INC. (RICHMOND, VA) CB Richard Ellis is promoting Mildred Gray to realestate manager. REES ASSOCIATES, INC. (OKLAHOMA CITY) Rees Associates is appointing Kristina Dover andDennis W. Metheny as vice presidents. COUSINS PROPERTIES,INC. (ATLANTA) Cousins Properties is promoting John McColl from SVP,development to executive vice president, development, officeleasing and asset management. DEVELOPERS DIVERSIFIED REALTY CORP. (BEACHWOOD, OH) Developers Diversified is promoting John S.Kokinchak to SVP of Property Management and R. Christopher Salatato assistant general counsel--corporate. NewHiresNo more than one submission per company will be considered perweek. Submissions with multiple names will be capped at three forcoverage in Executive Watch. COLLIERS MEREDITH &GREW (BOSTON) Colliers Meredith & Grew is hiring Leeanne Rizzo asan assistant vice president in the suburban brokerage group,focusing on brokerage activities in the Route 128 Mass Pike market.Prior to joining the firm, Rizzo was at FHO Partners. AVISON YOUNG (MONTREAL) Avison Young is hiring Stephen Leopold as chair of theQuebec operations. NAI/MERIN HUNTER CODMAN (WEST PALM BEACH, FL) NAI/Merin Hunter Codman is hiring Steven F.O'Hara as a managing director. O'Hara previously served at CBRichard Ellis as first vice president. PHOENIXREALTY GROUP (LOS ANGELES) Phoenix Realty Group is hiring Edward J. Ratinoff asmanaging director, national acquisitions. Prior to joining PRG,Ratinoff spent five years as managing director with J.E. RobertCompanies/JER Partners. TAPESTRY RESORTS (SAN DIEGO) Tapestry Resorts is hiring Kerry Stebbins as its newdirector of business development.