The first order of business for Mackenzie, who assumed the role last week, is attracting 14 new real estate professionals, raising employment at the new office to 20. The company has hired six to date, all of whom have relocated from England.

The company announced plans last fall to relocate its local office to a larger space in downtown Oakland. Company sources told GlobeSt last fall that Grubb & Ellis would "be bursting at the seams," and stated that the company changes were a result of an active market in Oakland and the potential growth that exist in the East Bay community.

Prior to Grubb & Ellis, Mackenzie spent three years as vice president of Peter Sullivan Associates Inc., where he specialized in acquisitions and management of commercial office properties in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to Peter Sullivan, Mackenzie held positions as asset manager at Grosvenor International; regional director for the RREEF Funds; and director of assets and property management at The Lurie Company.