Merin Hunter Codman Exec Joins C&W

(Crystal Proenza is associate editor of Real Estate Florida.)

BOCA RATON, FL-Despite cuts at major brokerage firms over the past week, Cushman & Wakefield continues to grow within strong markets in South Florida. Rick Graham, a 25-year commercial real estate veteran, has joined the firm as executive director of its recently expanded Palm Beach County office.

“In the past decade, the real estate industry has changed significantly as owners want their properties marketed globally and tenants demand a consistent level of representation in multiple markets,” says Graham. “I look forward to utilizing [the Cushman & Wakefield] platform in serving existing clients, bringing new business to the table, expanding our service lines, and developing new professionals.”

Graham previously served as regional director for Merin Hunter Codman, where he oversaw brokerage activities in the firm’s Boca Raton office. Prior to his arrival in South Florida, Graham was one of seven founding principals of Boston-based Fallon Hines and O’Connor, and served as a principal at Trammell Crow Co. when it acquired Fallon.

In his new role he will help to drive business and brokerage to the firm. Last month, GlobeSt.com reported that C&W had relocated and expanded its local office to meet a growing demand for the company’s services and the growth in institutional ownership in the county. Graham’s experience handling leasing and management for a number of corporate and institutional clients in his previous positions made him an obvious candidate to lead the Palm Beach office.

“Throughout his career, Rick Graham has demonstrated his ability to achieve positive results, particularly in challenging markets,” said Tere Blanca, senior managing director of Cushman & Wakefield of Florida in a release. “This track record, coupled with Rick’s attention to client service and past achievements fostering teamwork among colleagues, make him the ideal person to take the lead in our Palm Beach County office.”

In Palm Beach County, Cushman &Wakefield represents 1.6 million sf of office, over two million sf of industrial and over 500 acres of land. The firm represents institutional investors including Boston-based TA Associates Realty, ING Real Estate and New York-based DRA Advisors, and tenants such as Goldman Sachs, ITT and FTI Consulting.