Executive Watch

Perspective

In this exceptionally active and expanding market, real estate companies across all property types and regions are competing for the same talent. Under these circumstances, it is critical for hiring managers looking to recruit seasoned professionals at all levels to adjust to the realities of current market conditions. Failure to recognize what is required to attract, recruit and retain talent will result in critical vacancies on the organization chart, which will translate into significant cost and performance issues. In response, employers are adding more upside to incentive cash bonuses. Top performers want to see bigger dividends in the bonus column, and there is an ever-increasing trend to formula-driven compensation, especially for transaction positions. 'Pay for Performance' is a simple but critical concept, especially in a highly competitive talent market.

Anthony J. LoPinto is CEO of Equinox Partners, an executive search firm specializing in the real estate industry, and parent company of SelectLeaders

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.

Job Opportunities

ING CLARION PARTNERS
(NEW YORK) Portfolio Analyst Responsibilities include the consolidation and enhancement of existing processes to achieve industry best practice including identification and implementation of technological solutions to enhance automation of data compilation and performance measurement functions.

JONES LANG LASALLE
(BALTIMORE) Senior Securities Analyst
We are currently seeking a senior securities analyst to join our LaSalle Investment Management Team. This group serves institutional investors, governments, corporations and private investors worldwide with innovative real estate investment services that consistently exceed industry benchmarks.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
(PENNSYLVANIA) University Planner The responsibilities of the job include: facilitating the planning process to develop, revise, and update campus master plans; assuring that site development plans adhere to the principles, guidelines, and requirements of the master plans; and facilitating site selection and evaluation process for new buildings and facilities.

GRUBB & ELLIS|BRE COMMERCIAL
(CALIFORNIA) Financial Analyst The individual will be responsible for providing in-depth financial analysis services and cost effective solutions that leverage G&E|BRE’s clients time and protects their best interest.

EQUITY OFFICE PROPERTIES TRUST
(WASHINGTON) Senior Property Manager The selected candidate will be responsible for the effective day-to-day management of assigned properties. He or she will deliver efficient and effective customer service and ensure the stable operation of the property while maximizing its value.

FANNIE MAE
(WASHINGTON, DC) Director, Regulatory and Compliance Oversight The director, regulatory and compliance oversight is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation and operation of the Single Family Mortgage Business’ compliance framework and providing division oversight structure.

ERNST & YOUNG
(NEW YORK) Corporate Real Estate Systems Strategist As a member of our team, the successful candidate in this position will participate in a leadership role within multiple client engagements and other related activities. The associate will apply and expand existing skills to develop and deliver high-quality work products within a fast-paced, service-oriented business environment.

SELECTLEADERS
(WASHINGTON DC) Senior Vice President, Development Our client is seeking a senior vice president of development to be located in its Washington, DC-area offices. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record of completing full-cycle development projects to go along with superior communication and leadership skills.

Promotions

BEHRINGER HARVARD OPPORTUNITY REIT I
(DALLAS) Robert S. Aisner, the REIT's president and COO, and Steven J. Kaplan, an independent consultant for the capital markets, are named to the board of directors.

LODGIAN
(ATLANTA) Alex Lieblong is elected to the board of directors. He founded Key Colony Fund and is principal in Lieblong & Associates, a financial advisory firm.

PM REALTY GROUP
(HOUSTON) Roger Gregory takes over as executive vice president after four years as CFO and senior vice president.

LEE & ASSOCIATES-L.A./NORTH VENTURA INC.
(CALABASAS, CA) Randall Kobata rises to principal after nearly two years as a senior associate. The four-year professional specializes in sale and leasing of industrial and commercial properties in the northern Los Angeles area.

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES INC.
(ALEXANDRIA, VA) Sean Breslin is named senior vice president of investments on the West Coast while Sean Sullivan is made senior vice president of property operations for 16 communities of the most complicated and valuable in the 156-property portfolio. Other promotions were accorded to Duane Carlson, vice president of construction of high rise and wood-frame construction in Northern California; Sarah Mathewson, vice president of property operations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island; Keri Shea, vice president, corporate controller and treasurer; and Phil Wharton, vice president of development in the New York area.

New Hires

J.E. ROBERT COS.
(McLEAN, VA) Kevin Walsh becomes director of CMBS Investments; Bev Casanova, vice president in the CMBS special servicing group; and Jo Rathbun, vice president of fund investment management. In other personnel changes, Devin Chen is promoted to vice president of fund investment management.

TREMONT REALTY CAPITAL
(SACRAMENTO) Tim Eppler fills a senior director's slot in the recently opened office for the Boston-based firm. He will be marketing the proprietary bridge and mezzanine loan products, securing quality investment banking opportunities and helping to expand the firm's network in the Western US.

DLA PIPER RUDNICK GRAY CARY
(LOS ANGELES) Mark Nelson is named partner while his team--Cary A. Kleinman, Jason R. Morgan, Tiffany K. Switzer and Jean-Loup F. Ziegler--start off as associates in the real estate practice. The five-member team previously was with the law firm of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker. Also, David Abel recently was hired as a partner in the intellectual property group and Bernhard von Thaden as senior economist for the international tax practice. In a promotion, Michael E. Meyer rises to managing partner for the L.A. network.

ANDALEX GROUP
(NEW YORK CITY) Steven Marks is named CFO in a return to the firm after a five-year stint as a vice president and senior vice president at SL Green Realty Corp.

YOUNAN PROPERTIES
(WOODLAND HILLS, CA) Michael O' Donovan is seated as controller to help the firm fulfill its high-growth expansion plans. He previously was CFO for STK International Inc.

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NOT FOR REPRINT

Tony LoPinto is the Global Sector Leader of Korn Ferry’s Real Estate Practice and founder of SelectLeaders. For the past 18 years LoPinto has been serving his clients with deep knowledge and perspective on talent needs and organizational challenges to public and private companies – knowledge gained from a 25-year career in real estate. Prior to his current position, he founded and served as chief executive officer of a boutique real estate executive search firm, where he oversaw offices in New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles. He has successfully led several high profile search engagements for chief executive officers, directors and a wide-range of executive level positions across all industries and sectors. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in European history from Loyola University in Chicago.