LOS ANGELES-Caruso Affiliated has established the position of chief operating officer for the first time in its 20-year history and has selected EVP of operations Paul Kurzawa to fill the post. The new position is a pivotal part of a Caruso Affiliated expansion program that is designed to double the firm’s size in the next five years, according to founder and CEO Rick Caruso.

Caruso, who outlined the company’s business goals and platform for growth at a recent employee meeting, commented on Kurzawa's appointment in a prepared statement: “Paul has been an exceptional leader at our firm and shown tremendous skill at increasing revenue, managing people and upholding our values and brand. With Paul in this new role to oversee day-to-day operations, I can fully focus on the firm’s strategic vision, including our expansion into new business lines and new developments.” Along with Kurzawa's appointment, Caruso also named Jackie Levy and Matt Middlebrook as senior vice presidents.

Kurzawa brings 15 years of retail center management experience to the position of COO. He joined Caruso Affiliated in 2006 and, in his most recent position as executive vice president, has been responsible for oversight of all of its property management, marketing, leasing and financial reporting performance. "As the economy shows signs of recovery, our company is well positioned to raise the standards of shopping centers once again through the integration of new retail, dining and entertainment together with emerging technology to deliver a superior guest experience, unique to our portfolio,” Kurzawa observed.

In the other executive changes, Levy was named senior vice president, operations, and Middlebrook was appointed senior vice president of development; both will report to Kurzawa.

Levy will have direct responsibility for all property management functions for the company’s retail and residential assets. Levy joined Caruso Affiliated in 2006 as assistant general manager for the Grove, later advanced to the position of general manager of the Americana at Brand and most recently was vice president, operations assisting Kurzawa.

Middlebrook will oversee the firm’s projects in pre-development and development such as 8500 Burton Way, the Miramar Beach Resort & Bungalows in Montecito, and Caruso Affiliated’s bid for the retail operations at Terminal 2 and Thomas Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. Middlebrook joined Caruso in 2004 and has been handling its government relations activities including securing entitlements for new developments. He has 20 years of experience in a variety of government and related positions.

In his remarks at the employee meeting, Caruso noted that the company has grown at a compounded rate return of 20% per year in the past 10 years. It has steadily built its retail portfolio while also making strategic moves into new real estate types such as luxury residential communities and hotel development, and last year launched a division to pursue airport retail opportunities, the Caruso Affiliated CEO said.

Caruso Affiliated’s tenants’ growth is approximately two times that of the largest publicly traded REITs and sales per square foot at Caruso properties are 75% higher than the national industry average, Caruso pointed out. In addition to the Grove in Los Angeles and the Americana at Brand in Glendale, its properties include the Waterside in Marina del Rey, the Promenade at Westlake, the Lakes at Thousand Oaks and the Commons at Calabasas. The firm also has several projects in development including the expansion of The Americana at Brand, a mixed-use luxury apartment project, 8500 Burton Way in Los Angeles, and the company’s first luxury destination resort, the Miramar in Montecito.