Net-Net - 09.14.2010
Tomorrow is the second anniversary of Lehman Brothers bankruptcy filing. It has been a tumultuous two years since that incredible weekend when the global banking system faltered at the brink of a meltdown. The repercussions on the world economy have been almost as dramatic as during the Great Depression, and the aftershocks continue today as the US economy struggles to fully recover. On the real estate front the business landscape continues to adjust to the market reset. There is an interesting trend that is beginning to follow historical patterns and is important to watch. Big firms are getting bigger. The major players such as commercial-service companies, healthy investment platforms and operating companies are getting bigger and more globally dominant through mergers and the acquisitions of smaller firms or teams. On the other hand, small, innovative niche platforms are emerging to fill in the gap left by the middling businesses that have been shut down or merged out of existence. Mid-level boutiques are a dinosaur of the past. These new emerging enterprises will gain strength and present a formidable alternative in the real estate space in which they serve and operate.

Tony LoPinto is a senior client partner and head of Korn//Ferry International’s Real Estate Practice and founder of SelectLeaders. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.

COSTAR GROUP
Account Executive
(FORT LAUDERDALE) CoStar’s Account Executive is responsible for growing revenue through the sales of CoStar’s marketing and information products to subscribers and non-subscribers within a specific geographic territory and, managing an existing book of business.

REALTERM GLOBAL
Senior Analyst
(ANNAPOLIS, MD) The firm is currently looking for a candidate to fill the position of senior analyst, to focus on growth, underwriting and reporting support.

BIOMED REALTY, L.P.
Sr. Associate, Acquisitions and Leasing
(CAMBRIDGE, MD) Under general supervision, the associate supports the company's acquisition and leasing efforts to acquire new properties and lease up vacant space for BioMed Realty's portfolio.

TISHMAN SPEYER PROPERTIES
Associate
(WASHINGTON, DC) The firm is currently recruiting for an analyst/associate to work within the leasing team. This is a key position in a small team reporting directly to the managing director of leasing and working on high-priority projects within the leasing team and in coordination with the portfolio management team.

MERDIAM INFRASTRUCTURE
Vice President of Design and Construction
(LONG BEACH, CA) The vice president of design and construction is responsible for oversight and administration of the design and construction functions for LBJP during the construction period.

METLIFE
Associate Director, Commercial Mortgage Production
(WASHINGTON, DC) The successful candidate must be able to source, underwrite and close new commercial mortgage investments for the general account portfolios of MetLife. The position requires the ability to successfully establish and maintain relationships with owners and developers, as well as various brokers and intermediaries.

WASHINGTON STATE INVESTMENT BOARD
Investment Officer – Real Estate Assets
(OLYMPIA, WA) The primary role of the investment officer - real estate is to assist the senior investment officer and the rest of the real estate team in selecting and overseeing real estate partnerships on behalf of the WSIB.

PIEDMONT OFFICE REALTY TRUST
Assistant Property Manager
(MINNEAPOLIS) The purpose of the assistant property management position is to assist in the management and operations of an assigned portfolio of properties or single full-service property. The assistant property manager will have general knowledge of all functions relating to the management and operations of a property.

No more than one submission per company will be considered per week.
Submissions with multiple names will be capped at three for coverage in Executive Watch.

STUDLEY
(CHICAGO) Commercial real estate services firm Studley has announced the promotion of Tiffany Winne to senior managing director from corporate managing director.

JONES LANG LASALLE
(CHICAGO) Jones Lang LaSalle today announced the firm has promoted 11 Chicago-based professionals in its Brokerage, Communications, Corporate Solutions, Project & Development Services, Hotels, and Strategic Consulting practices: Richard L. Benoy to senior vice president in landlord leasing; David Bukovac to senior vice president in corporate solutions – Honeywell Account; Joseph Caprile to senior vice president in Project & Development Services, Development Management Team Lead; Brad Kreiger to senior vice president, Internal Communications – Americas; Monica Moore to senior vice president in landlord leasing; Paige Steers to senior vice president, Public Relations – Americas; Matthew Oxley to senior vice president in Corporate Solutions; Annette M. Prater to senior vice president in Markets; Asin Shah senior vice president in Corporate Solutions; Eric Stavriotis to senior vice president in Strategic Consulting; and Justin Epps to senior vice president in Hotels

THE LERNER COMPANY
(OMAHA) Jim Prysiazny has been appointed vice president -property Management and Dee Muessel assumes the new roll of vice president - accounting and Administration.

LCOR
(NEW YORK CITY) LCOR, the national real estate and development company, has promoted David A. Sigman to the position of executive vice president. Sigman will continue to serve as a company principal. He will also continue to manage the company’s business development program throughout the New York City area.

No more than one submission per company will be considered per week.
Submissions with multiple names will be capped at three for coverage in Executive Watch.

GRUBB & ELLIS
(SANTA ANA, CA) Grubb & Ellis Company announced that Robert W. Bell, MAI, 32-year veteran of the appraisal industry, has joined Grubb & Ellis Landauer Appraisal & Valuation as senior managing director, California. He Grubb & Ellis from Integra Realty Resources where he spent three years as a director.

ALVAREZ & MARSAL
(NEW YORK CITY) Alvarez & Marsal, a professional services firm, specializing in performance improvement, turnaround management and business advisory services, announced that Michael Zanolli has joined Alvarez & Marsal Real Estate Advisory Services as a managing director. With more than 20 years of experience, Mr. Zanolli has served in a number of advisory and investment management positions in the real estate industry.

NIXON PEABODY
(SAN FRANCISCO) International law firm Nixon Peabody LLP announces the arrival of partner Gary P. Downs. Downs will work within the firm’s Regulatory & Real Estate Department. He joins from Pillsbury Winthrop LLP where he was leader of Pillsbury’s Public Finance practice and co-head of Pillsbury’s affordable housing practice.

CHATHAM LODGING TRUST
(PALM BEACH, FL) Chatham Lodging Trust, a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on upscale extended-stay hotels and premium-branded select-service hotels, today announced that Dennis M. Craven has been appointed as its new executive vice president and chief financial officer. Craven previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Innkeepers USA Trust.