The international real estate services operation announced today that it is in the process of shifting its focus from a network of semi-autonomous independents to a conventional corporate hierarchy. By creating the position of international president and forming a worldwide board of directors to manage all GVA operations, the organization hopes to create an information-sharing corporate environment, thereby maximizing its efficiency of operations and centralizing control.

The candidate selected for the position of international president will be involved in New York and London initiatives targeting new business development as well as facilitating interstate and international services.

In addition, moving from a multi-board strategy to a worldwide board of directors is another step toward global uniformity and information, according to Betsy Baer, COO of GVA Worldwide. "Having one board of directors will enhance GVA's ability to share information and resources among all of our offices across the globe," Baer stated.

The GVA Worldwide Board of Directors will include Baer, Michael Corbett of GVA Grimley in London as chairman and Michael T. Cohen of GVA Williams in New York will as vice chairman. Jean Laurin of GVA Devencore in Montreal will act as secretary/treasurer. The board's members at large include Karl Maier of GVA Immoconsult in Vienna, Adriano Lucas of GVA Consultimo in Lisbon, Andy Roos of GVA Williams in New York and Nick Whipp of GVA Grimley in London.

Additional revenue created by selling GVA shares to all member firms, another new policy, will be used to develop and implement an online transaction management platform that officials say will be a crucial component of the firm's new corporate stance. GVA will use the platform to create a global interface between building owners, brokers and tenants.

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