MIAMI—When Tere Blanca launched Blanca Commercial Real Estate in the midst of the real estate downturn, Danet Linares was one of the first to stand by her side. Now, Blanca has promoted Linares to vice chairman of the firm.

Linares has served as executive vice president at Blanca dating since it was birthed in 2009. Since then, she has been involved in many of the company's most significant transactions and has contributed greatly to the firm's growth.

"Our people are our most valuable asset," says Blanca, president and CEO of the firm. "Danet has been right alongside me every step of the way as we have grown to become one of Florida's most active commercial real estate brokerages. Her promotion to vice chairman reflects her consistent performance, commitment to our firm, and the vision we have laid out for our future growth."

Linares helped spearhead the leasing for trophy assets 1450 Brickell office tower in Miami, 396 Alhambra in Coral Gables and One Park Square at Doral. She was an integral part of the team that represented the Miami Herald Media Company in its relocation to Doral, and law firm White & Case's lease renewal in Downtown Miami. And she advised and worked on behalf of many tenants and owners at properties across Miami-Dade County.

"From day one, we set out to position Blanca Commercial Real Estate as a firm that develops customized real estate solutions for our clients," Blanca says. "Our strong firm culture has grown out of that formula. I look forward to continuing to execute on behalf of our clients while spending more time working alongside Tere and my colleagues, further enhancing our brokerage platform."

Linares joined the firm in 2009 after serving as senior vice president and director of Real Estate Services for Foram Group. Her previous experience includes spearheading the leasing for two of Florida's largest commercial office buildings: Bank of America Tower at International Place (now Miami Tower) and Wachovia Financial Center (now Southeast Financial Center).

Linares is heavily engaged in the business and civic community. She serves on the boards of the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami, and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. She is also past president of CREW-Miami (Commercial Real Estate Women).

Linares has received numerous accolades in recent years, including being named as an "Influential Businesswoman" and "Commercial Real Estate Heavy Hitter" by the South Florida Business Journal; and a "Top Power Broker" by CoStar. She was also the recipient of NAIOP's 2012 Office Lease Transaction of the Year Award, and was named as a finalist for the organization's 2013 Office Broker of the Year Award.