Jan Boltres, a Grubb & Ellis professional for 20 years in Cincinnati and Tampa and a vice president and a principal in the new firm, tells GlobeSt.com the new firm will remain part of the Grubb & Ellis network through an affiliation program comprised of 51 existing affiliate offices and 50 corporate-owned offices located throughout the US, Mexico, Europe and Asia.

The deal was done at this time because Chicago-based Grubb & Ellis has made a strategic business decision to "concentrate its efforts in first-tier cities located in high-profile markets," Boltres says. "This new structure will allow the new firm to provide a more comprehensive services platform, while allowing flexibility to provide a tailored approach to our local clientele."

Stevens Tombrink, previously with USAA Realty will be managing director of the firm's Tampa office. Jeff Sweeney, the former managing director of both the Tampa and Orlando offices for Grubb & Ellis, will manage the Orlando office.