The Hottest Openings; Insightful Commentary

I have an interesting job. A lot of talented, successful people come to visit me in need of a job or thinking about a career change. Then there are the lucky ones who have made it and are looking for the next challenge. Because our firm focuses on executive-level talent, more often than not, our visitors are relatively well-to-do financially, and often our conversations drift into such questions as: “What do you want to do next? What challenge do you want to take on? How about a change in direction?” However, a recurring theme in almost every conversation is the illusive goal of financial security–the dollar sum that would enable you to do your own thing, whatever that thing may be. If you fall into this category, you may want to pick up a copy of The Number. What Do You Need for the Rest of Your Life, and What Will It Cost? by Lee Eisenberg. It’s an easy read and may help you set some direction to your career strategy. What’s your number?

Job Opportunities BROOKFIELD PROPERTIES Director, Taxation (NEW YORK CITY) The successful candidate will plan and direct all aspects of the organization’s US tax policies and objectives. That person will ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local tax regulations while working to minimize tax liability and maximize after-tax profits. CONFIDENTIAL Managing Director (NEW YORK CITY) A retained executive search firm with significant industry recognition seeks a senior member of its New York City-based national real estate practice. This will be a highly visible position within the industry for a senior executive with experience in real estate development, finance, investment or services who can leverage his or her relationships and industry contacts and experience. PRUDENTIAL Senior Asset Manager (DALLAS) The FHA asset management team of Prudential Asset Resources is seeking a senior asset manager to oversee a portfolio of performing loans. Among other duties, the successful candidate will: review borrower requests for credit actions and make recommendations to the team leader, legal counsel, Prudential Asset Resources or PHP Management Team and others as applicable. He or she will maintain and foster relationships with borrowers, the servicing team, PHP origination teams, legal counsel, HUD and others associated with the assigned portfolio. TOWNSEND GROUP Controller (CLEVELAND) Townsend, the largest institutional real estate consultant in the US, seeks a controller for the Cleveland office. The ideal candidate will possess a strong accounting and financial-reporting background along with excellent oral and written-communication skills. The controller will assist in administering the funds that Townsend manages, reporting to the CFO and working directly with its portfolio management team and other consultants. CHARLES SCHWAB Senior Manager, Real Estate Strategy (SAN FRANCISCO) Schwab Corporate Real Estate selects and negotiates the acquisition or divestment of Schwab corporate and retail offices. Among other responsibilities, the senior manager will develop master and strategic plans that link business and real estate strategy to forecast supply and demand for space; serve as principal contact with senior-level executives and internal customers impacted by portfolio strategy and program implementation to ensure effective program execution. MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE Senior Associate (NEW YORK CITY) The successful candidate will provide technical support and research assistance to senior industry analysts. He or she will also work with a team of analysts on various analytical and statistical projects using graphs, tables, spreadsheets, comparative statistics and formulating ratios. A BA/BS is required as is a minimum one to two years of financial analysis experience Knowledge of accounting, economics and statistics as well as strong research skills are essential. HOLLIDAY FENOGLIO FOWLER Real Estate Analyst (CHICAGO) The position requires three to five years of related experience with a strong concentration in real estate finance and investment sales. Knowledge of discounted cash flows is required as well as other due-diligence items, including ProFormas, expense analyses, aerials, maps and rent and sales comparables. The successful candidate must have experience in asset valuation as well as knowledge of income-producing real estate and financing terms. A Bachelor’s Degree in real estate or business is also required but an MBA is preferred. NEW BOSTON FUND INC. Development Senior Associate (BOSTON) The primary responsibility of this position is project oversight, working with joint venture partners, and interacting with analysts and other project managers. This position also assists in sourcing, underwriting and implementing development and construction projects in the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. On average, two days per week of travel should be expected. Promotions MARCUS & MILLICHAP (OAK BROOK, IL) To open its third office in the state, the firm names Tim Rios as regional manager. He joined the company in 1998 as a research manager for Phoenix and Las Vegas, becoming part of the sales force in 2003. ML REALTY PARTNERS (ITASCA, IL) Michael J. Dolan rises to regional vice president after three years with the firm. He was named a vice president last year. STAUBACH CO. (NEW YORK CITY) Paul A. Formichelli and James Wenk are promoted to managing directors. Formichelli, formerly a director, joined the company in 1997. Wenk is marking his eighth year with firm. BUCHANAN STREET PARTNERS (SAN FRANCISCO) Co-founder and executive vice president Chris MacDonald will lead the San Francisco office. MacDonald has been working at the Newport Beach headquarters, but will now spend the majority of his time in the Bay Area to oversee the office’s growth and drive new business. ASSET PLUS COS. (HOUSTON) Barrett Kirk is named vice president of acquisitions and development after one year with the firm. THE CLARETT GROUP (NEW YORK CITY) Frank A. Stephan rises to senior managing director after three years with the company. New Hires ACKMAN-ZIFF REAL ESTATE GROUP (NEW YORK CITY) Svetlin Ganchev, Mark Owens and Linda Yang join the hospitality group. The team was formerly with Sonnenblick Goldman. In making the move, Ganchev and Owens become managing director and Yang, a director. ESUITES HOTELS (TAMPA, FL) Bryan D. Langton becomes vice chairman to help launch a new hotel concept. The industry veteran previously was chairman, president and CEO of Holiday Inns Inc. JONES LANG LASALLE (DALLAS) Curt Holcomb joins as senior vice president of the global data center practice. Holcomb most recently was senior vice president in CB Richard Ellis’ technology practice group. URBANAMERICA (NEW YORK CITY) Marea Parker comes on board as assistant deputy counsel. She most recently was senior real estate counsel and assistant vice president at the Mony Group. SPERRY VAN NESS (SAN ANTONIO) Gerard R.C. Pastrano is made managing director for the new office. He most recently was owner and principal of GP Properties & Investments. CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD (PHOENIX) Kathleen M. Holmes starts as senior appraiser and member of the national government affairs practice team. She was the Arizona lead appraiser for the Department of the Interior, National Business Center, Appraisal Services Directorate. GVA ADVANTIS (TAMPA, FL) Josh Tarkow begins as associate. He previously was a senior associate at Pointline Inc. CARLTON ADVISORY SERVICES (TEL AVIV) Ido Kapner joins as managing director and president of Carlton Tel Aviv to build a gateway to Middle Eastern, European, Indian and Asian property and capital markets. Kapner previously was vice president of Shrem, Fudim, Kelner, a leading real estate investment bank in Israel. NAI HOUSTON (HOUSTON) The firm’s new principals are Rob Chandler and Jeff Barbles, both previously with Marcus & Millichap. INNOVATIVE DEVELOPERS (FORT WORTH) Jayson Williams starts as real estate and development associate. He spent the past four years with Henry S. Miller Commercial. VENABLE LLP (LOS ANGELES) Samuel R. Spira becomes a partner in the firm. He most recently was a partner with Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP in Beverly Hills, CA. BROOKFIELD PROPERTIES CORP. (LOS ANGELES) Chris Dillavou is named leasing manager for the 3.6-million-sf Downtown office portfolio. He had been a leasing associate for Jones Lang LaSalle in its Downtown office. KBS REALTY ADVISORS (WASHINGTON, DC) David Blair becomes senior vice president of acquisitions, assuming oversight for all Mid-Atlantic and Southeast acquisitions and dispositions. Blair spent the bulk of his career with the Hillman Co. ASSET PLUS COS. (HOUSTON) Randall Husmann joins as CFO and director of asset management for Asset Plus Cos. and Asset Campus Housing. Husmann has spent the past 22 years as CFO for the Dinerstein Cos. KNAUS-ANDERSON REALTY (BLOOMINGTON, MN) David W. Stalsberg starts as leasing associate to become the lead agent for new projects. He most recently was office and retail leasing agent for Northstar Partners in Eden Prairie, MN. WRIGHTWOOD CAPITAL (CHICAGO) George O’Brien is named senior director of investments to expand its presence in Connecticut. He previously was principal with NDC Capital Partners in New York City. PM REALTY GROUP (DALLAS) Monty Smith starts as senior development officer. Smith previously was an architect and associate principal for Gromatzky Dupree & Associates. HAMPSHIRE COS. (MORRISTOWN, NJ) Karen Nihill becomes assistant controller for the Hampshire Generational Fund LLC. Prior to joining the company, she was global financial controller for CB Richard Ellis. GRUBB & ELLIS (DENVER) Tim Rogers starts in the industrial services group. He most recently was marketing and leasing manager for First Industrial Investments Inc.