Bruce Mosler, Cushman & Wakefield president and chief executive-elect, tells GlobeSt.com that Harbert will fill a leadership role in this newly created position for the firm. "He will provide mentorship, particularly for Ken (Krasnow, C&W's executive managing director for the New York region.) "He is a highly intelligent and highly effective executive whose success is the result of his innovative ideas and business acumen."

Harbert says he's long been an admirer of C&W. "Having spent more than 20 years in New York real estate, I've always been impressed by its client focus and the strength of its long-term relationships."

In response to the move, a CBRE spokesperson says, "He's a great guy and we wish him well. His departure is not unexpected and we've been planning a realignment in our brokerage operations and expect to have plans announced in a couple of days."