Each year, PTK magazine — a publication of AZ Big Media — showcases the top people and projects to know in Arizona’s commercial real estate sector. Pulling from a competitive pool of nominations and the editorial board’s knowledge of the industry, this annual edition highlights 50 meaningful projects across all product types and influential professionals in 23 different categories. The digital sponsor of PTK magazine is Quarles. Over the coming days, meet the individuals making an outsized impact on the built environment across Arizona. Here are the capital markets brokers to know in 2026:
DEEPER DIVE: Read the latest issue of PTK magazine
Darren Tappen
Regional president of brokerage
Background: With more than 24 years of industry experience, Tappen is a recognized expert in commercial investment properties throughout Arizona and the Western U.S, with a specialization in REO dispositions, foreclosures, and CMBS re-stabilization/disposition, and is known for his service-first approach and expertise. Tappen joined the Kidder Mathews in 2015 and was instrumental in opening the Phoenix office, which launched with eight brokers and one staff member. Today, the office has grown to 46 brokers, seven valuation appraisers, two senior property managers and 15 support staff. He also helped build one of the firm’s top-producing investment sales teams alongside Peter Beauchamp, Nathan Thinnes, and Patrick Gardner, with more than $2.1 billion in closed transactions.
Eric Wichterman
Vice chairman
Background: Wichterman specializes in the sale of office investment properties and heads the top private capital markets team in the Greater Phoenix area. Over his career, Wichterman has closed over 470 sale transactions totaling 24.5 million square feet and over $2.7 billion in consideration, resulting in an unprecedented market share in the mid-cap sector of the Valley’s office investment market. He has been the top overall producer of the Phoenix office 12 of the last 16 years.
Kevin MacKenzie
President
Background: During his career, MacKenzie has executed over 1,000 transactions totaling more than $40 billion. He is also a member of the Americas Executive Committee and Global Capital Markets Board.
Source of pride: “Taking a risk to move from California to Texas in 2004 to transition into a career in commercial real estate with only a little savings and one contact. I networked until HFF gave me a shot to start as an analyst. I ended up moving back to California to pursue a leadership opportunity with HFF in 2011, ultimately ending up on the executive committee when we were acquired by JLL in 2019. This experience and my current role allow me to continue to work with clients while paying it forward to help mentor and grow the next generation of our company.”
Key to success: “Three things: faith and a strong family unit with an amazing wife and three kids, great mentors and partners, and an ability to take constructive feedback and work hard to change — and I have gotten a lot of constructive feedback!”
Surprising fact: “The entire backside of my body caught on fire when I was in third grade in a brush fire accident. It’s not a ‘fun fact’ but it did test me at a very young age and helped me build resilience.”
Robert Kline
Managing director, debt and structured finance, Southwest Region
Background: With over $14.1 billion raised and $10 billion in restructurings, Kline brings deep expertise in institutional finance, capital markets and multisector real estate. Ranked No. 1 in the Americas for debt and equity placement at Colliers, Kline’s leadership and extensive relationships provide clients and lenders with unmatched insights and results.
Key to success: “Knowledge opens doors, relationships build trust and execution delivers results. The commercial bankers who thrive combine all three with adaptability and integrity.”
Source of pride: “Knowing that my work has consistently opened doors to opportunity and stability in complex and evolving markets.”
Surprising fact: “Before I moved into business and finance, I studied environmental engineering and was a USCG Corporate Yacht Captain. That technical foundation gave me a different lens for problem-solving, which clients often find valuable when structuring complex deals.”
Rusty Kennedy
Executive vice president
Background: Kennedy advises private and institutional clients who own industrial and logistics investment properties and land. He recently joined CBRE’s National Partners, which provides comprehensive investment sales, finance and recapitalization solutions to its clients.
Source of pride: Starting his career in 2007 on the cusp of the Great Recession, Kennedy’s biggest career accomplishment is sticking it out and persevering through the difficult times. This was only possible because of his unconditional support from his family and team. Kennedy feels very blessed to have gone through one of the worst recessions on record at the beginning of his career, as it reaffirmed the importance of relationships, hard work, teamwork and not taking anything for granted.
Surprising fact: “I played in three Big XII Golf Championships, winning all three while I was at The University of Texas.”
