Executive Watch

Well, the business traveler is about to take another hit. In response to skyrocketing fuel prices and gushing red ink, over the weekend, all of the major airlines reinstituted the Saturday night stay requirement for discount airfares. That puts the premium price tag on professionals and executives, who have no option but to travel weekdays. This news came right on the heels of an article I recently read in Business Week, “The Waning Days of the Road Warrior,” contending that the current business slump, coupled with ever-increasing airfares, is going to permanently reduce the level of business travel. I wouldn’t be surprised if it does. Video conferencing (which comes at an increasingly lower cost), online trade shows, Webinars and the like are all viable options that could, at a minimum, eliminate incremental travel. This is also bad news for the hospitality sector.

Job Opportunities DBSI-Discovery Real Estate Services Development Manager (DALLAS) The qualified candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and minimum of five years of similar experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. MBA and CCIM designation preferred. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: negotiating terms of purchase and sale agreements, managing outside consultant team, and interpreting municipal comprehensive plans and zoning regulations. CB Richard Ellis Finance Manager (DALLAS) The manager will be an excellent motivator with superior communication and presentation skills, possess an extensive knowledge of Excel and accounting software, a BA/BS, five-plus years of related commercial real estate experience, a CPA License and JD Edwards E1 knowledge. SelectLeaders Vice President (NEW YORK CITY) The candidate will have five-plus years of commercial real estate experience and a BA/BS in accounting or a CPA license. They will be required to manage cash, train a small staff, and conduct oversight on tax and grant compliance. The Urban Land Institute Vice President for Development (WASHINGTON, DC)The vice president will assist in the development of the center’s program of work, identify surplus public land and brownfields for future workforce housing developments sites in pilot markets, research innovative building technologies, and develop and implement strategies to engage the private sector. SelectLeaders Senior Vice President (SOUTHEASTERN US) The qualified candidate will have a minimum of 15 years of experience on the construction and architecture side of the resort/residential/destination/mixed-use business, with the last five years in a senior level corporate position. Duke Realty Corporation Corporate Real Estate Attorney (INDIANAPOLIS) The attorney will possess, along with excellent communication and organizational skills, a minimum of six years of practice in real estate law within a corporate and/or law firm setting. Primarily, the candidate will be involved in the legal aspects of the company’s development, ownership, leasing and management of healthcare facilities with hospitals and physicians. CIM Group, Inc. Commercial Office Leasing Agent (LOS ANGELES) The leasing agent will negotiate commercial leases to ensure maximum occupancy and ensure high renewal rates and will have a bachelor’s degree in real estate, business or a related field, as well as either a California salesperson’s or broker’s license and three to five years experience in a direct commercial leasing capacity. John Hancock Property Manager (SCHAUMBURG, IL)The qualified manager will manage relationships with tenants, maintain property and grounds to highest standards, prepare quarterly reports on administration and operations with five to 10 years of commercial-building management experience. Promotions No more than one submission per company will be considered per week. Submissions with multiple names will be capped at three for coverage in Executive Watch. GRUBB & ELLIS REALTY INVESTORS LLC (SANTA ANA, CA) Danny Prosky has been raised to executive vice president, healthcare real estate, Christine Teagle has been appointed vice president of asset management and Shane Woloshan has been named vice president, specializing in the leasing and sale of industrial properties. Prosky and Teagle both joined the company in 2006, Prosky as managing director of healthcare properties and Teagle as regional asset manager. Woloshan has been with Grubb & Ellis since beginning his commercial real estate career in 2004. RTKL (WASHINGTON, DC) Eric Carle and Kenneth Webb, both architects in the firm’s healthcare group, have been named principals. THE MISSNER GROUP (SKOKIE, IL) Alba Jimenez has been appointed marketing coordinator. She has been with the company since 2003, when she joined as a construction administrative assistant. CONCORD HOSPITALITY ENTERPRISES (RALEIGH-DURHAM, NC) The company has named William G. Gant general manager of the Renaissance Raleigh at North Hills. He was previously assistant general manager at Concord’s Renaissance Meadowlands in New Jersey. GE REAL ESTATE (NORWALK, CT) GE has promoted longtime employee John Oliver to vice president, marketing communications. He has been with GE since 1995, most recently as communications director with GE Capital Services. New Hires No more than one submission per company will be considered per week. Submissions with multiple names will be capped at three for coverage in Executive Watch. AZTEC CORP. (ISELIN, NJ) Katherine Horohoe comes on board as a facility analyst. She was previously a project designer for commercial office projects with Institutional Interiors, Inc. HELMSLEYSPEAR (NEW YORK CITY) Jeffrey Rosenblatt and Lewis Cowan have been named senior vice presidents with the company. Both move from Grubb & Ellis. THE DOW HOTEL CO. (SEATTLE, WA) Dan DeFrancia has been appointed director of sales and marketing for the Hilton Bellevue. Before joining DHC, he was with the Salish Lodge & Spa. RUSSO DEVELOPMENT LLC (HACKENSACK, NJ) Ben Videña has been hired as project architect with the firm. He previously worked for the RBA Group, EI Associates and The Spector Group Architects. FALCON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CO. (NEW YORK CITY) Salah Brahimi has been named special representative to the Middle East and North Africa. He will be responsible for helping Falcon strengthen its ties in the region. CRESAPARTNERS (ATLANTA) Kathleen Burke has been hired as a vice president. She moves from Colliers International, where she was also a vice president. COHEN BROTHERS REALTY CORP. (NEW YORK CITY) Michael A. Szollosi takes the position of chief operating officer and senior vice president of the company. He was most recently COO of Macklowe Properties. TRANSWESTERN (PHOENIX) Dennis L. Desmond has been hired as senior vice president in the investment services group. He was previously a senior vice president with Grubb & Ellis/BRE Commercial. CONCORD EASTRIDGE INC. (SCOTTSDALE, AZ) The company has named Steven Schnoor senior vice president and regional director of the western U.S. He was previously director of alternative project finance and delivery for Turner Construction. MAYFIELDGENTRY REALTY ADVISORS (DETROIT) Anyeka Wallace joins the firm as asset manager. She was previously an assistant vice president/commercial real estate lender at SunTrust. In addition, the company has named Kristen Calkins director of human resources. She was previously with H.B. Stubbs Co. LLC. UGL EQUIS (CHICAGO) Gregory T. Nagel has been hired as director of finance in the firm’s Chicago office. In this role, he will provide general oversight of business financial analysis and accounting. THE LIGHTSTONE GROUP (NEW YORK CITY AND LAKEWOOD, NJ) The company adds two new hires to its payroll. Edward J. Kaigh has been named vice president of property management, and Jack Cassidy was appointed president of Lightstone’s subsidiary, Beacon Management, which is being rebranded as Cedarbridge Residential. Kaigh was previously managing director of property operations for Equity Office Properties Trust. Cassidy moves from America First Apartment Investors, Inc., where he was president and chief executive officer. RREEF ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS (NEW YORK CITY) Susan Barlow has come on board as managing director and head of global client relations. Before joining RREEF, she co-founded American Value Partners and founded Fiduciary Capital, Inc. RICHARDS BARRY JOYCE & PARTNERS LLC (BOSTON) The company has hired Vincent Erfe as an analyst in its consulting services practice. He will focus on corporate real estate consulting and financial analysis. He moves from Hilda’s Houses, a multifamily real estate business in Rhode Island. DYL GROUP (MIAMI) Joseph Geluso has been named controller and Syed Shah has been appointed senior financial analyst. Geluso previously held the position of controller with Tarragon Corp. and Shah was a financial analyst with SunVest Communities and Finest Realty Group. WWCOT ARCHITECTS (SANTA MONICA, CA) Derrick Washington has joined the company as a senior associate and director of staff development. In this role, he will be responsible for recruiting key personnel and spearheading the company’s career development programs. HOLLAND & KNIGHT (CHICAGO) David B. Allswang will be a partner in the firm’s real estate section. He moves from DLA Piper, where he was also a partner. COLLIERS ABR, INC. (NEW YORK CITY) After 12 years at CB Richard Ellis, Robair Reichenstein has taken a managing director role at Colliers ABR. He will be tasked with expanding the firm’s not-for-profit division.