Marking his 12th year at Grubb & Ellis, Thomas E. Clarke,and his two-year protégé, Lindsay A. Allen, have jumped to theTranswestern camp. "They courted us," Clarke tells GlobeSt.com. "Itwas an opportune time and something we couldn't refuse." The formersenior vice president is now a managing director while Allenbecomes a senior associate. Meanwhile, Steve Wolff has held ontohis senior associate's title with the shift to Dallas-basedStaubach Co.'s capital markets team after breaking into brokeragethree years ago at Grubb & Ellis.

Transwestern has added eight brokers to date this year, drivingthe ranks to 60 in an office with roughly 225 employees. "Sizedoesn't matter. It's really about quality," says Jack Eimer,president of the Houston-based Transwestern's Central region. "Ican't tell you how excited we are to have Tom and Lindsay. We'rehumbled given their reputation and what they've accomplished thatthey felt good in joining us."

Personnel shifts are flying fast and furious once again inDallas as brokers seize advantages that began with the TrammellCrow Co. and CB Richard Ellis merger, but have spread topractically all firms as they joust for veterans and rising starsto strengthen their footholds for the future from the inevitablefallout. Who's come from where isn't as important as which ship isgaining ground. "We've been blessed," Eimer says. "We've gottensome great talent." And, he says, stay tuned because anotherhigh-profile four-member team is headed his way.