04/21/05: One of the biggest laments in this economic recovery is the lack of job growth, but part of the problem might be our own fault. On April 19, the woes of hiring well became a key topic during a real estate session at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles. This panel was moderated by Lew Feldman of Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman. One opinion with major impact came, not surprisingly, from Equity Office Properties chairman and CEO Sam Zell, who stated flatly that, "Every competent person available is employed," and that it's impossible to find qualified candidates to fill available positions. This is quite a conundrum. We have heard time and time again how hard it is to find the cream of the crop. Only two things will change that. The first is to take the risk to open up payrolls at the entry-level position and implement fast-track training. The second is an old-fashioned raid on your competition, which in the long run will end up costing just as much. The real point is that if you want to find the right people, it's going to cost you.
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EQUIS CORP.
(INDIANAPOLIS) Mike Cook, manager of the locally based office, has been promoted to senior vice president, while colleague Brian Askins has been named senior associate.

TRAMMELL CROW CO.
(FLORHAM PARK, NJ) Paul Merkelson has joined the company as senior vice president for project management in the New York/New Jersey area. Merkelson comes from Jones Lang LaSalle in New York, where he was senior vice president for project and development services.

NPV
(NEW JERSEY) Jeffrey S. Pappas has joined the company as manager of acquisitions. Pappas was most recently director of acquisitions/asset management at Urban America LP. He will be responsible for sourcing deals in New Jersey.

GRUBB & ELLIS/BRE COMMERCIAL
(SAN DIEGO) The company has named George Gramm vice president of client services, in which he will manage all research functions. Gramm was most recently national business development director at CORE Construction.

EQUITY OFFICE PROPERTIES TRUST
(SAN JOSE, CA) Brenda Meckenstock has been named senior property manager for the company's San Jose region. Meckenstock was most recently vice president of operations for Willis & Co.

HOSPITALITY MARKETERS INTERNATIONAL
(MILWAUKEE) Michael Hool has joined the company as senior consultant, moving over from his most recent position managing a private consulting practice in which he performed franchise and market analysis.

ALLIANCE COMMUNITIES
(DALLAS) The company has tapped Thomas Robert Brewer as vice president of construction for the Dallas division. Brewer was formerly executive vice president of C.F. Jordan LP in El Paso.

JOSEPH FREED & ASSOCIATES

Director of Construction

(ILLINOIS)

Ideal candidate will coordinate design and construction process with internal team and external team from project inception and design to final closeout. He or she will execute design- and construction-related contracts/agreements and coordinate all business aspects of construction.

GMAC COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE

Chief Financial Officer

(OHIO)

 Suitable applicant will direct the activities of the company's finance/treasury, accounting, investment management and compliance departments. His or her mission will be forecasting and assessing credit issues and new funding opportunities, as well as providing guidance and strategic vision.

TERRANOVA CORP.

VP, Asset Management

(FLORIDA)

 Working with executive vice president, most qualified applicant will develop long-term strategy for portfolio while also providing day-to-day direction of operations, including the oversight of leasing, property management and tenant relations activities in support of short- and long-term objectives.

WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

Senior Manager, Financial Reporting

(MARYLAND)

This professional will manage compliance with SEC financial reporting requirements and deadlines, internal and external financial reporting and analysis. He or she will research technical GAAP accounting and financial reporting rules, and will work with accounting, lease administration, property management, accounts receivable and other areas.

CROWN REALTY & DEVELOPMENT

Real Estate Analyst

(CALIFORNIA)

This individual will be responsible for conducting financial analysis, pro formas and budgets of income-producing commercial real property that the company is considering acquiring, developing, redeveloping, selling or which it currently owns.

TRAMMELL CROW RESIDENTIAL

Development Associate

(CALIFORNIA)

Successful candidate for this partner-track position must be familiar with income-producing real estate, land acquisition and the development process. He or she should have experience in underwriting and acquisition of multifamily residential property.

EQUINOX PARTNERS

Chief Investment Officer

(NEW YORK)

 Working closely with CEO, this professional will originate, structure, underwrite, negotiate and close acquisitions and dispositions of multifamily assets. He or she will present all proposed transactions to investment committee, arrange financing and coordinate acquisitions.

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