ORLANDO-Continental Real Estate Companies, or CREC, is redoubling its efforts in Central Florida. The firm is expanding its retail practice in the region, adding Josh Busby and Lisa Schummer to its roster to take its leasing, property management and construction management practices to the next level.

Busby joins CREC as a vice president. He previously served as a leasing manager for specialty and regional shopping centers at Developers Diversified Realty. Schummer, who previously served as leasing agent at Pelloni Development, comes on board as a leasing associate. The duo will focus on developing and executing customized leasing plans, identifying target asset use, and evaluating prospective tenants, with the goal of maximizing value for the firm’s agency leasing clientele.

“We have a very strong pipeline of activity right now that’s primarily being fueled by distressed assets and lender-based business,” CREC president and cofounder Carol Brooks, tells GlobeSt.com. The firm currently leases and manages a portfolio of 11.4 million square feet statewide, with 2.5 million square feet located in Central Florida.

The Central Florida office spearheads leasing for a number of prime properties, including The Trails Shopping Center, West Volusia Town Center, Colonial Promenade, and Waterbridge Downs Shopping Center. The firm has been doing business in the region since 1998.

“The need to bring in work out expertise in Central Florida is greater because there are fewer restructuring opportunities in that market,” Brooks says. “The deals tend to be smaller and need to be worked through, hence the need for workout specialists. We anticipate making some very big growth moves over the next couple of months and quarters.”