VanTrust Real Estate names Derek Flottum as senior director of development
VanTrust Real Estate, LLC (VanTrust), a national commercial real estate development company, announced the addition of Derek Flottum as Senior Director of Development for its Southwest Region. Flottum is an industry veteran that brings over a decade of development experience in Arizona. He will be working on existing industrial and office projects for VanTrust, as well as expanding the firm’s footprint in the Southwest.
“Derek’s experience and professionalism make him a perfect fit for our team,” said Keith Earnest, VanTrust Real Estate Executive Vice President. “He’s active in the industry, and the community and we couldn’t be more pleased to have him on board.”
Flottum began his career in banking before transitioning into commercial real estate development. His resume includes office and industrial projects in the Phoenix market, most recently with Minneapolis-based The Opus Group. Flottum has served on the Executive Board for NAIOP Arizona for six years, and is a longtime member of the Scottsdale Charros, a nonprofit, all-volunteer civic group.
“VanTrust’s reputation speaks for itself, not just here in the Southwest, but around the country,” Flottum noted. “I am thrilled to be joining such a talented and experienced team and look forward to contributing to VanTrust’s continued success.”
VanTrust, which was named national Developer of the Year by NAIOP in 2023, has a growing portfolio in the Southwest, which covers the Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas markets. VanTrust recently completed approximately 1.8 million square feet in three buildings at its Vantage North project in North Las Vegas, Nevada, and will begin construction on 320,000 square feet of industrial space later this month.
For more information on VanTrust, visit www.VanTrustre.com
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Gottlieb Law named to the prestigious The Best Lawyers in America
Phoenix real estate law firm Gottlieb Law, PLC has been named to the prestigious The Best Lawyers in America list for the second consecutive year as part of the Best Lawyers publications 30th anniversary edition.
Best Lawyers® is the oldest and most respected legal rankings company in the United States. Only 5% of private practice attorneys across the country achieve the Best Lawyers in America designation.
Founding partner Benjamin Gottlieb also was named individually as one of the Best Lawyers in America. It is Gottlieb’s third consecutive year being so honored.
“It’s an incredible honor to be named to a list as one of the top lawyers in the country,” Gottlieb said. “We do what we do for the benefit of our clients, not to win awards. But being selected for a peer nominated and reviewed award like The Best Lawyers in America is a great feeling because it means we’ve earned the respect of the attorneys we practice with and against.”
Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer said the peer review aspect of their awards makes it one of the top honors a private practice attorney can achieve.
“This historic 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America is a testament to lawyers’ and firms’ appreciation of the Best Lawyers steadfast methodology and historical significance in the industry,” Greer said. “Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch accolades are based purely on the review of other top lawyers practicing in the same metropolitan and practice areas. Those practicing against each other in mediation or arguing across the aisle in court are providing positive feedback on their peers’ skill set, knowledge and professionalism. These awards are a genuine vote of confidence in their fellow lawyers.”
Land Advisors Organization expands in Denver and New York City
Scottsdale-based Land Advisors Organization announces two major expansions. The firm’s land brokerage team recently expanded its services into the Metropolitan Denver market and its Capital Services Team has expanded to New York City.
The Denver office, which will be led by real estate veteran Tom Kaufman, is located at 4600 S. Syracuse St., 9th floor in Denver. Additionally, the firm’s subsidiary Land Advisors Capital is expanding its capital advisory services into New York City with the addition of Logan Embry who will lead the firm’s newest east coast office, located at 300 Park Avenue, Suite 227 in New York.
Kaufman, who previously worked with Land Advisors Organization over a decade ago, is known for his expertise in raw land, land planning, land management, subdivision management, and land brokerage acumen throughout Denver metro and across the Front Range. As an Advisor in the market, he will advise landowners and purchasers of land parcels. Kaufman brings extensive experience working with parties on the sale and purchase of vacant land parcels, large-scale developments and provides valuable insight into site selection, real estate planning and the various issues faced by the homebuilding industry, developers and investors in the market.
“The Denver market’s consistent growth and our relationships with many builders looking to expand their presence there are behind our decision to re-establish our presence in Colorado,” said Greg Vogel, CEO of Land Advisors Organization. “Tom’s background and knowledge of the market set him apart, making him an exceptional advisor to landowners and developers, and allow us to provide significant opportunities to both local and national builders and developers expanding in the region.”
Active within the real estate and homebuilding industries, Kaufman is involved with the Homebuilders Association (HBA) of Metro Denver, serving on the HBA’s Metro Housing Coalition committee. Additionally, he is involved with the Urban Land Institute (ULI), serving on ULI’s Growth Outreach Committee. He is also a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP). In the community, Kaufman dedicates his free time to several causes that benefit children, veterans and pets.
Embry has joined Land Advisors Capital as a Director of Capital Markets. She brings extensive experience in developing and managing capital relationships. For more than a decade Embry has specialized in investment advisory and equity placement services, facilitating over $6B commercial capital markets investments at JLL Capital Markets and HFF.
“Having a presence in New York, the nation’s financial hub, has long been a goal for Land Advisors and Land Advisors Capital,” said Greg Vogel, Founder and CEO of Land Advisors Organization. “With Logan Embry on the ground in New York, our Capital team will be able to facilitate creative investment strategies and provide more opportunities for the capital markets to invest in the development of communities across the country. This is another step forward in enhancing LAC’s ability to provide more ways to generate returns for real estate and development investors.”
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