NEW ORLEANS-CB Richard Ellis’ desire to strengthen its presence and brand in Louisiana has led to the launch of its valuation and advisory services office in the Crescent City. John Gasparre and Michael Bertrand will operate out of the new office, which will open Sept. 1 in the city’s CBD. In addition to providing working market knowledge and assessments throughout Louisiana, Gasparre and Bertrand will provide information about the Gulf Coast states of Mississippi and Alabama as well.

According to Steve DuPlantis, CB’s senior managing director of valuation and advisory group’s south central region, the move to have a greater presence in New Orleans made sense, given the amount of volume and requests his group was racking up from that area. “We’ve had licensed appraisers working that area for 15 years,” he explains. “Our clients indicated they’d like us to have an office right there.”

Furthermore, he notes, boots on the ground in Louisiana means more effective and less costly appraisal. It also offers more opportunity for state-wide expansion.

“This is an active market, though not well-known by investors,” DuPlantis tells GlobeSt.com. “We want to be sure to have good market knowledge there.”

He goes on to say that Gapsarre and Bertrand offer that market knowledge. Gasparre graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans, and has worked with CB for 15 years. Bertrand, who received his MBA from Louisiana State University, is a CB newcomer, however, “one of our appraisers has known him for more than 10 years,” DuPlantis explains. “Both men have deep roots and associations with the state of Louisiana.”