DALLAS--Dallas-based affiliated commercial real estate services firms The Weitzman Group and Cencor Realty Services have a new chief executive for the first time since 1989.

Marshall Mills, previously the firm's chief operating officer, has been promoted to CEO. He takes the reins from company founder and longtime CEO, Herbert D. Weitzman, who will now serve as executive chairman of the statewide retail-focused commercial real estate services firm.

“This is a very proactive move for our company, one that ensures long-term continuity and growth,” Mills told GlobeSt.com. “I'm excited about the opportunity to lead the company as we grow throughout Texas' major markets.”

Mills, who joined Weitzman/Cencor in 1992, will also serve as president of Weitzman and Cencor. In his new position, Mills will oversee and direct Weitzman and Cencor and work to grow their market share and corporate performance. Weitzman and Cencor operate full-service offices in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, Houston and San Antonio. During his career with the firms, he has also served as the CFO.

The Weitzman Group, offering commercial real estate brokerage services, currently leases 44 million square feet of retail and commercial space throughout Texas. The firm offers retail project representation, retail tenant representation, investment property brokerage, office and industrial property brokerage and related services. Cencor offers statewide property management, asset management and development operations. Cencor currently manages a retail property portfolio of more than 22 million square feet.

Prior to Weitzman/Cencor, Mills was with Chase Manhattan Bank N.A., where he was an interim construction lending/workout officer responsible for a major commercial property portfolio. Mills real estate finance experience at Chase included providing construction financing for commercial and residential development in markets across the U.S. Mills received a bachelor of business administration degree in finance from SMU. He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Maverick Chapter of the World Presidents Organization (WPO). As a member of the Real Estate Council of Dallas, he served as Treasurer in 2007 and 2008, and he also has been on the boards of both the Real Estate Council in Dallas and the Real Estate Council Foundation organizations.