"Brennan and Romano exhibit excellence in commercial real estate both in New York and nationally," says Ken Krasnow, Cushman's executive managing director and New York area leader. "The addition of these talented real estate professionals to our firm will reinforce our position as the commercial brokerage firm of choice for the most prominent organizations." Both will serve as executive directors at Cushman. GVA Williams officials did not comment on the pair's departure.

Brennan joined GVA Williams in 1996 and was named vice chairman in 2002. He also ran GVA Williams' Lower Manhattan office and served as a member of the firm's executive committee. Prior to joining GVA Williams, Brennan was a partner with the Peregrine White Co. Romano, previously an executive managing director at GVA Williams, also joined the firm in 1996. He was a member of the firm's management committee. Prior to joining GVA Williams, Romano spent 16 years at the Rockefeller Group, where he served in various capacities.

"Cushman & Wakefield has the brand that we can leverage to win more business, and the client-driven, global platform that we can utilize to help our clients anywhere in the world," says Brennan. "Joining Cushman & Wakefield will undoubtedly help us broaden our business and enhance the service capabilities and support that our clients rely on," adds Romano.