Every year, AZ Big Media, which publishes both PTK and AZRE magazines selects Arizona’s top people and projects to showcase in its premier commercial real estate magazine — PTK — from an impressive and competitive nomination pool. Each day we will highlight 20 different categories of People to Know. Here are the retail brokers to know in Arizona for 2024:
LEARN MORE: Read last year’s edition of PTK magazine
Alex DeSoto
Associate vice president
Matthews Real Estate Investment Services
DeSoto’s extensive market knowledge, transaction experience, and professionalism have allowed him to create and maintain relationships with various investors, developers and institutions nationwide. He has continued to earn promotions within the company, most notably being promoted to associate vice president in 2022, and director in 2023, for his accomplishments in brokerage and leadership ability.
Stand-out fact: Alex became one of Matthews’ top-producing agents in a short time — a tremendous feat for someone just 27 years old.
Surprising fact: “I co-founded a window-washing business in high school. The company ran for several years and was successfully sold before I started a professional career in real estate.”
Daniel Ortega
Principal
Edge Realty Partners
Ortega is one of the principals and is the designated broker of Edge Realty Partners in Arizona. He specializes in retail commercial brokerage, primarily in buyer and tenant representation accounts. He continues to grow the company and represents quality national brands such as Circle K and Clean Freak.
Biggest career accomplishment: “In August of 2021, I co-founded Edge Realty Partners with my partner Nick Ault, while spearheading the successful rollout of multiple brands for Savory Restaurant Fund (Crack Shack, Via 313, SWIG, Hash Kitchen).”
Surprising fact: “I am a board member of Fighter Country Foundation, a non-profit that supports the active-duty members and families of Luke Air Force Base.”
Rommie Mojahed
Partner
CRE8 Advisors
After 20 years in the commercial real estate industry, Mojahed opened his own CRE firm off 40th Street and Indian School Road in Phoenix. He now serves as partner but still maintains his active role as a commercial real estate broker. He has closed close to $1B in deals and focuses on new business development, recruiting, operations and the overall growth of the new brokerage.
Stand-out fact: Mojahed was nationally ranked No. 16 out of nearly 2,000 advisors in the international network, earning Partner Circle in 2022. He also ranked in the Top 100 month after month, year after year for several years.
Biggest career accomplishment: “Specializing on my market. I spent the last 15 years focusing on the Southeast Valley and it has certainly been worth it.”
Brian Woods
Executive vice president
Colliers in Arizona
A Phoenix native, Woods is a third-generation commercial real estate broker, following grandfather Don Woods and father Tommy Woods. Prior to joining Colliers in 2003, he was an account executive for the Phoenix Coyotes Hockey Club, with responsibility for season ticket sales, luxury suite sales and account management. Woods was a Top 10 producer for Colliers in 2022 as a specialist in retail properties. He has successfully leased more than 7.5 million square feet in retail and restaurant space.
Biggest career accomplishment: “As a third-generation commercial real estate broker in Arizona, it would be fun to see my son or daughter become the fourth generation (if they’re interested)!”
Surprising fact: “My great-great uncle (Whitcomb Judson) invented something most of us use every single day — the zipper!”
Carol Schillne
Senior vice president
ORION Investment Real Estate
Schillne’s 35-plus year experience includes a deep understanding of the deal points that are most critical to both parties in negotiating highly successful transactions. She has effectively managed transactions for all retail product types, including lifestyle centers, regional malls, outlet centers, power centers, community centers, neighborhood retail, free-standing buildings, downtown/urban properties and mixed-use projects.
Surprising fact: “I was a four-year All-American Swimmer at The University of Southern California and still hold the record for the 1,000-yard-free-style!”
No. 1 on the commercial real estate bucket list: “Inspiring others — especially young people — to share my passion for a career and personal investment opportunities in retail commercial real estate.”
