Cushman & Wakefield announced Gregory B. Valladao, senior director of Cushman & Wakefield’s Retail Capital Markets Group, has been named senior managing director and market leader of the company’s Phoenix operations. In his new role, Valladao will oversee the firm’s overall business objectives, day-to-day activities and strategic growth initiative for the Phoenix market.

Valladao, who has been active in the Phoenix commercial real estate market for more than 15 years, has been with Cushman & Wakefield of Arizona, Inc. since May 2011. He has been involved in the development, purchase and sale of more than 110 commercial properties totaling more than 9MSF valued at more than $1.15B.

Valladao currently advises institutional clients on site analysis, underwriting, acquisition and disposition for retail shopping centers and commercial land. He will assume his new management role with the company at the end of this month.

I am delighted to announce Greg’s promotion from within our own ranks to lead Cushman & Wakefield’s Phoenix organization,” said Jim Underhill, CEO of the Americas for Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. “He exudes our entrepreneurial and collaborative culture and has demonstrated the leadership skills to leverage our competitive strength and execute on our strategic growth plan for the region.”

Valladao has spent more than 30 years developing his extensive retail, sales, management and legal experience. His business background includes the roll out of Bartles & Jaymes Wine Coolers with Gallo Sales Company in San Francisco and more than six years at Apple Computer in Cupertino, Calif. Valladao also practiced law at the Phoenix firm of Jones, Skelton & Hochuli and spent more than 10 years at the former Grubb & Ellis | BRE Commercial, where he was a perennial Top 10 Producer and was a Circle of Excellence Award winner.

I am truly excited about the opportunity,” Valladao said. “The Cushman & Wakefield brand is second to none in the industry and we have a talented team of professionals in Phoenix working together every day to ensure we are exceeding our clients’ expectations. I look forward to bolstering our presence in the market as we continue to provide the most creative and innovative services on a consistent basis, adding meaningful value for our clients.”

Valladao earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees (double majors, Political Science and History) from Tulane University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona College of Law.