Newland Real Estate Group has hired William “Bill” Olson as Senior Vice President and Division Manager with executive oversight of the Phoenix team, its 20,000-acre master-planned community of Estrella and recently added land to the west of the project. In this position, Olson will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the community’s development, as well as building strategic partnerships to ensure its long term growth as a self-sustaining master-planned community. Estrella, located in Goodyear, has seen steady growth this year and is realizing resurgence in activity following the market downturn with new builder commitments and additional commercial services coming into the community.

Olson has more than 30 years of broad-based real estate industry experience in Phoenix and the Northwestern United States. Before joining Newland, Olson was Managing Director and Designated Broker for Hines Interests Limited Partnership, an international development firm.  He opened the Phoenix office for Hines in 1997 where he led the local team.  During his time with the organization, Olson established Hines’ Arizona presence and oversaw the land acquisition, master planning, entitlements, development, marketing/leasing and disposition of several Hines projects including the trophy-level LEED Platinum 24th at Camelback, a 10-acre mixed-use development. Prior leadership roles also include Vice President/Group Manager of The Rouse Company and Del Webb where he started his career in 1982.

“Bill’s fresh perspective and genuine, collaborative nature coupled with his years of experience will be a tremendous asset for Newland and Estrella,” said Daniel Van Epp, Executive Vice President with Newland Real Estate Group. “Bill is highly regarded in the industry and we are pleased to have him on-board.”

Olson’s impressive list of professional accreditations includes State of Arizona real estate broker, general contractors’ license, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) Board of Director’s member and membership in Urban Land Institute and the Institute of Real Estate Management, demonstrating a commitment to the real estate and building industries. As Senior Vice President and Division Manager, Olson is committed to enhancing and growing Estrella and Newland’s long-standing commitment to optimizing relationships and partnerships with existing and new homebuilders, the City of Goodyear and other diverse organizations to advance the economic strength of both Estrella, and the City of Goodyear.

“Estrella offers such a unique sense of arrival, and I couldn’t be happier to join the Newland team,” said Olson. “A 20,000-acre development, with this much diversity, has so much potential to help shape the West Valley and I’m excited to be a part of what lies ahead for  this great community and the City of Goodyear.”

A Michigan native, Olson moved to the Valley of the Sun in 1972 and is a graduate of Arizona State University. A family man and proud father, in his free time Olson is an avid athlete with a passion for running, hiking, skiing, golfing and a host of outdoor activities.  He also enjoys sculpting in marble, granite and various metals.

Located only 17 miles west of downtown Phoenix, Estrella is home to more than 12,000 residents ranging from young couples to retirees. Newland is currently in negotiations with several nationally recognized builders to bring another 345 lots to the market in 2014. Estrella offers its residents top-notch amenities and continues to work to enrich the community as more and more people choose to call Estrella home. To learn more go to www.estrella.com.