Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR names Reuter CEO and chair of the board

Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR announced that the Tucson-based, employee-owned commercial real estate services firm has named long-time shareholder Barbi Reuter chief executive officer and chair of the board. Reuter was also named designated broker for PICOR. In addition to direct operational responsibilities as president, Reuter takes charge of C&W | PICOR’s strategic direction. “I could not be more confident the company is in good hands,” said founder Mike Hammond. “C&W | PICOR is now fully in position to take on the future and whatever it brings.”

As a student at the University of Arizona, Reuter joined the startup at its founding in 1985, became a shareholder in 1992, and led its Property Management Division until successive roles in company leadership beginning in 2006. Reuter remarked, “What we’ve all built together is incredibly special, from our culture to our client-centric focus in the Tucson commercial real estate market. It’s my honor to serve both our team and community as we grow forward.”

Reuter is a 42-year Tucson resident and serves on the boards of the Tucson Metro Chamber as past chair, YMCA of Southern Arizona, Sun Corridor Inc., and the PICOR Charitable Foundation. She mentors young leaders and industry professionals across the country and was awarded the Greater Tucson Leadership Woman of the Year in 2019 and Copper Cactus Small Business Leader of the Year in 2017.

Litigation practice at Engelman Berger grows

Engelman Berger, P.C., a law firm concentrating on business deals and disputes, announced growth in its commercial litigation practice with the addition of Rachel E. Phillips.

As Engelman Berger’s 16th attorney, and 8th in the litigation practice, Rachel brings unique talent to Engelman Berger’s already strong stable of commercial litigators. Steven Berger, co-founder and shareholder, states, “We are delighted that Rachel has brought her experience and intellect to our practice. She is an advocate for clients asserting rights and those defending against claims. Her experience has been extensive and her advice is both legally informed and practical.”

Rachel joined Engelman Berger after honing her skills at a large, international law firm. She has represented international and regional banks and financial institutions, business owners, commercial landlords, employers, Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, and sports associations.

A participant in the Volunteer Lawyers Program and a former Board Member of the Phoenix Women’s Sports Association as well as the Maricopa County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Rachel puts community involvement and pro bono work high on her personal list of priorities. Highlights of Rachel’s career include; obtaining a summary judgment on all counts in favor of a client facing over $16 million in damages for alleged breaches of contract and successfully representing the parents of children wrongfully abducted and brought to the United States in violation of the Hague Convention. Rachel has been selected to Southwest Super Lawyers® Rising Stars the past four years, 2016-2020.

NKF brings on retail capital markets experts in Phoenix

Newmark Knight Frank (NKF) announced leading capital markets professionals Steve Julius and Jesse Goldsmith have joined the firm’s Phoenix office as Senior Managing Directors, along with Associate Chase Dorsett. With combined commercial real estate experience totaling nearly 35 years, the professionals have collectively completed transactions with a total consideration of over $700 million, including over $98 million in 2019. The professionals specialize in investment sales for retail properties in metro Phoenix, advising private and institutional investors on diverse real estate strategies.

“As NKF continues to augment its best-in-class Capital Markets platform, Phoenix remains an extremely important market in the Western Region for our clients,” said NKF’s Executive Vice President, West Region Market Leader Greg May. “Recruiting market-leading professionals like Julius and Goldsmith, who are well-known for their expertise in retail investment sales, enhances NKF’s existing service offerings in the Phoenix market, including our Capital Markets practice. We are thrilled to welcome them to NKF,” added NKF’s Executive Managing Director Mike Garlick.

Julius, Goldsmith and Dorsett serve a core client base of private capital investors with a focus on multi-tenant shopping centers and net leased retail properties. Julius’ strong finance background unique to retail brokerage, enables him to provide client service rooted in detailed financial analysis, ensuring a high-rate of deal certainty. A natural relationship builder, Goldsmith is particularly adept at sourcing hard-to-find buyers, having cultivated an extensive investor database. Dorsett focuses on the marketing and disposition of retail properties through his cultivation of new business, financial underwriting and in-depth market analyses. Julius and Goldsmith began their commercial real estate careers in 2001 and 2006, respectively. Julius, Goldsmith and Dorsett join NKF from CBRE.

“NKF’s growing impact in the capital markets arena as well as its company culture were both huge draws to join the firm. Having worked in the Phoenix real estate market for nearly two decades, the focus will be to continue to serve clients and the local community with the same enthusiasm and tenacity. Now, with the backing and support of NKF’s remarkable entrepreneurial runway, the ability to represent buyers and sellers is further enhanced,” concluded Julius.

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