In her new capacity, Dierks will be responsible for building the asset base and will lead the Investment Services Department to identify, acquire, build, finance and sell real estate. "A leader of Deidra's caliber is a rare asset and MDI is excited to have her at the helm of the Investment Services Division," said Mark Tompkins, the firm's executive vice president. "MDI is confident that Deidra will continue to grow our profitable institutional client relationships."

Dierks, who joined the firm in 1996, previously directed the purchase, sale and refinancing of more than $250 million in commercial real estate. She also managed department personnel in addition to developing relationships between the company and its institutional equity and debt partners. Prior to joining the firm, Dierks practiced law for six years with a specialty in insurance coverage and defense litigation, bankruptcy and commercial litigation.