LOS ANGELES-Grubb & Ellis Co. has hired 30-year industryveteran Michael Mason as a managing director and national directorof standards and compliance for the Santa Ana-based company'srecently launched LandauerAppraisal & Valuation unit. Mason, who will bebased in the Downtown L.A. office of Grubb & Ellis, will serveas managing director in Los Angeles and in his role as nationaldirector of standards and compliance will be responsible fordeveloping and implementing quality control operationscompanywide.

In June, Grubb & Ellis announced it was launching a nationalappraisal business and reinvigorating the Landauer brand under theleadership of industry veterans Douglas W. Haney and EduardoAlegre. In addition to Mason, the company recently hired MichaelMiller as senior managing director in Texas. The company expects tohave regional leaders and appraisers in place in seven markets bySept. 1, the day the company officially opens for business.Long-term, Grubb & Ellis Landauer Appraisal & Valuationexpects to have a presence in every key market and between 250 and350 full-time appraisers.

When Grubb & Ellis unveiled its plans for its new appraisalunit, CEO Tom D'Arcy told GlobeSt.com that the company believesthat "the demand for appraisal services is going to be verysignificant over the next few years" and that the appraisalbusiness "is well within our core competency." Grubb & Ellisacquired Landauer & Associates in 1999 and historically hasoffered appraisal services in limited markets. The Landauer name ishighly regarded in the appraisal industry, according to D'Arcy,hence the name of the new company.