"We happened to have left at the same time," Blackwell explains to GlobeSt.com. "We were both ready for a change." He didn't rule out a partnering of the two in the future, but it's not the spark for the exits. Other than casual conversation, he says the duo did not discuss their plans to exit, much less choose the same day.
Blackwell joined Trammell Crow in 1984 as a leasing agent and is leaving as president of the development and investment group and board director. Anderson started in 1986 at the associate level and is exiting as the senior executive director of operations for the Central US.
Trammell Crow immediately backfilled the positions, save for the director's seat. John A. Stirek, COO of global services, will lead development and investment activities in the West while T. Christopher Roth goes from executive director to head of development and investment for the East. Michael J. Lafitte, regional director of global services, steps into Stirek's COO role. Also in the Western US, E. Stevenson Belcher moves up to a global services' regional director from executive director in the division. Belcher is taking over for John E. Nolen III, who retires at yearend.
Robert E. Sulentic, chairman and CEO, says the decisions were shocking only in the sense that the men have been part of the team for so long. Yes, the company has been running lean, as is everyone else. But, he says in an interview, "this was not the company's choice. This was their choice."
Sulentic explains that down times in the industry bring change, even for those who are comfortable at the top. "Those two guys did a great job," he stresses. That will translate into a nice going-away package. "They will be treated and rewarded for the job they did and they will treat the company well on their way out the door," Sulentic says.
True, says Blackwell as he and Anderson agree to help with what little transition is expected since they have been replaced by seasoned Trammell Crow execs, familiar with the roles.
Anderson wasn't available for comment about his immediate plans. Blackwell says he will "take a short breather and then hit the ground running." He intends to "explore" the opportunities, but not necessarily those to be found with another employer. "I have not spoken to a soul," he emphasizes. "After the job I've had, I don't know what I could find that would be more challenging.
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