Marking his 12th year at Grubb & Ellis, Thomas E. Clarke, and his two-year protégé, Lindsay A. Allen, have jumped to the Transwestern camp. "They courted us," Clarke tells GlobeSt.com. "It was an opportune time and something we couldn't refuse." The former senior vice president is now a managing director while Allen becomes a senior associate. Meanwhile, Steve Wolff has held onto his senior associate's title with the shift to Dallas-based Staubach Co.'s capital markets team after breaking into brokerage three years ago at Grubb & Ellis.

Transwestern has added eight brokers to date this year, driving the ranks to 60 in an office with roughly 225 employees. "Size doesn't matter. It's really about quality," says Jack Eimer, president of the Houston-based Transwestern's Central region. "I can't tell you how excited we are to have Tom and Lindsay. We're humbled given their reputation and what they've accomplished that they felt good in joining us."

Personnel shifts are flying fast and furious once again in Dallas as brokers seize advantages that began with the Trammell Crow Co. and CB Richard Ellis merger, but have spread to practically all firms as they joust for veterans and rising stars to strengthen their footholds for the future from the inevitable fallout. Who's come from where isn't as important as which ship is gaining ground. "We've been blessed," Eimer says. "We've gotten some great talent." And, he says, stay tuned because another high-profile four-member team is headed his way.