Thompson National, Dawson Form Services Firm

[IMGCAP(2)]The new company "is committed to helping governmental and institutional clients navigate the current challenging real estate market," Thompson and Dawson say in a statement regarding the new firm. The firm will have a strong government and public-private partnership focus, with a suite of services tailored specifically for public sector clients. The services will include build-to-suit capabilities, asset management, business planning/consulting, public-private partnerships and development management with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and green construction.

Thompson National brings an international platform to the new venture that will provide accounting and investment services, along with commercial asset and property management operations, and long-term relationships with capital investors. The Dawson Co. brings expertise in sustainable development, including smart growth and green building technology, its proficiency in government-owned asset management, and its capacity for multi-level financial structuring, integrating public and private financial resources in creative public private partnership transactions.

Thompson, CEO of Thompson National, cites Dawson's 50-year legacy in providing "consistent results with owners, lenders, tenants and public agencies." Dawson, president and CEO of the Dawson Co., describes the venture as "synergistic because of the firms' combined experience and complementary attributes." He cites his own firm's skills and background in development and real estate efforts with local, state, and federal governments, coupled with Thompson's asset management and capital-raising capabilities.

The Dawson Co. is a second-generation African-American real estate firm with expertise in environmentally sustainable mixed-use development, with a history of working with governments at the municipal, state and federal level.

Thompson Dawson Real Estate Services is headquartered in Irvine and Atlanta, with regional offices nationwide. The firm will initially focus on expanding the portfolio of assets already managed, marketing its government and public-private partnership expertise and showcasing its experience in asset management, build-to-suit and development. TDRE affiliates manage 97 properties in 30 states consisting of approximately 15.7 million square feet and with projected 2009 gross rental revenue of $200 million.