Newsmakers In Arizona Real Estate

Newsmakers in the commercial real estate industry are featured each issue. Here are the movers and shakers for November – December 2010:

Cushman & Wakefield acquired Cowen Commercial, a real estate firm specializing in retail leasing, investment sales, shopping center repositioning and development. Owner and President Jonathan Cowen, Adam Madison, Joseph Hoye II and Shannon O’Keefe joined Cushman & Wakefield. Cowen will be a senior director.

Jamie Medress was promoted to senior vice president investments at Marcus & Millichap.

Cliff David was promoted to vice president of investments. He specializes in multi-family investment sales.

Michel Ayer, an attorney at Quarles & Brady’s Phoenix office, was elected to Habitat for Humanity’s Central Arizona board of directors. Ayer is a member of the firm’s real estate group.

GPE Management Services named Linda Tierney senior property manager of the company’s property management services. She will be responsible for the direct management of RJ Realty Investors’ Phoenix portfolio.

RiverRock Real Estate Group, which will manage an unnamed client’s 1.6 MSF Phoenix industrial portfolio, named Michelle Weber as property manager to oversee the portfolio.

Erik Marsh joined Grubb & Ellis as vice president, Industrial Group, primarily specializing in sales. Marsh joins Grubb & Ellis after spending six years with Marcus & Millichap.

Daniel Mercer joined Grubb & Ellis’ Financial Services Asset Management group as senior vice president. With 37 years of experience, Mercer will oversee the company’s distressed asset services in the Phoenix region.

Karl Abert joined Grubb & Ellis as vice president, Multi-Housing Group. His team will include David Cravath, vice president, who joined the company in June.

Laurel Lewis joined NAI Horizon’s Office Properties Group. She spent the past 10 years with Grubb & Ellis.

Geoffrey Harris was promoted to vice president capital markets with Mark One Capital. Harris began his career with MMCC in 2006, specializing in single-tenant/retail.

Tim Phillips joined GPE Commercial Advisors as associate vice president specializing in industrial, flex and office property sales and leasing.

Raul Abad rejoined the Phoenix office of Gust Rosenfeld and will focus his practice on commercial real estate transactions, including development, leasing, financing and acquisitions and dispositions. He was practicing law in Denver.

Mark Dillon was named designated broker for Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial. Dillon joined the firm in December 2006, and is adding to his current position as vice president and general counsel.

Faris Lee Investments, a retail investment firm, opened a Phoenix office and named David Wetta as senior member overseeing a 3-person team. Wetta previously was with Marcus & Millichap. Joining Wetta: Joseph Compagno, Paul Salinas and Nathan Hubbell. All 3 were formerly with Marcus & Millichap.

MODE Real Estate Management Services hired Gina Rouban as assistant property manager.

Quarles & Brady attorney Katea M. Ravega was elected treasurer of the U.S. Green Building Council Arizona Chapter. Ravega is a member of the firm’s Environmental Law Group and a LEED accredited professional.

AZRE Magazine November/December 2010