What was the inspiration, the flash of light, the Great Aha Moment that inspired United Trust Fund president and CEO Sidney Domb to create his firm?

Glenn Rufrano, the president and CEO of Cushman & Wakefield, has made some big strides at the company since joining the global brokerage in 2010. Now two-and-a-half years into the job after decamping from Centro Properties Group, Rufrano is continuing to build upon C&W's long-term strategic plan of global alignment and management, providing a consistent service mix throughout its worldwide offices, client prioritization and efficient operations.

At Related Cos., developer of Time Warner Center and the upcoming Hudson Yards megaproject, company president Jeff Blau is succeeding founder Stephen Ross as CEO, with Ross now taking the title of executive chairman. Bruce A. Beal Jr. in turn is succeeding Blau as president, while Kenneth Wong becomes COO. The four men will comprise Related's executive committee. Ross will continue to be responsible for global business strategy and development and maintain his focus on the 26-acre Hudson Yards project. For his part, Blau will be responsible for the company's strategic direction, overall management, financing activities and pursuing new development opportunities and corporate acquisitions. Formerly serving as executive vice president, Beal will now manage the day-to-day development process for projects across all assets classes, asset management and Related's affordable housing initiatives. Wong will oversee the administrative, corporate and business functions, along with the company's national and international expansion activities.

Distressed assets have become a common ingredient in many asset managers' portfolios. For Sansone Group, a St. Louis-based commercial real estate firm with approximately 20 million square feet of space under management, about half of new business over the past few years has involved distressed properties, says Timothy Sansone, a company principal.

One of the pioneers of the West Coast commercial real estate brokerage scene took a few minutes to sit down with Real Estate Forum West Coast editor Natalie Dolce for a frank discussion on the market and his business. In an exclusive interview, Robert Voit, chairman and founder of Newport Beach, CA-based Voit Real Estate Services, shared his secrets to success, lessons for industry newcomers and his thoughts on which investments to emphasize for the next year or two. Voit was also honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at RealShare Orange County 2012, which took place on August 16 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.

The firm has brought on Jim McDevitt to serve as its new president. Based in the firm's Bethesda, MD headquarters, he will oversee Berkeley Point's day-to-day operations, including all production, underwriting and closing activities. Previously, McDevitt was an EVP and head of correspondent development for Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital.

There's been much in the press lately about the future of the office and what shape it will take in this post-GenY, post-recession, post-technology environment. The question that keeps recurring—as Boomers retire and HR folks turn to the next generation, as corporate space allocations continue to shrink and as digital devices free us from our office desks—is, what is the importance of place?

A look at some power players who've made moves recently