Playbook for the Turnaround

Yesterday President Elect Obama announced the appointment of his top national security team. This team includes a surprising, motley crew of old rivals, carryovers from the Republican administration, and individuals who share different strategic views of how the US should position itself in the future as a world leader. The press has reported that one of Obama’s favorite books is “Team of Rivals,” by Doris Kearns Goodwin, a brilliant work that describes how Lincoln managed to bring together disgruntled opponents into his cabinet and succeed in preserving the Union and winning the Civil War. I have observed that strong leadership–that is willing to combine professionals with divergent views and backgrounds, and work to build consensus–is among the most powerful and successful. The real estate industry is ready to enter a new era that will demand vastly different approaches, so it will be wise for CEOs to consider this playbook as they build their team for the future.

Job Opportunities GRAMERCY CAPITAL CORP. Lease Administration Manager (JENKINTOWN, PA) The lease administrator manager will effectively manage a multi-faceted lease administration department. NEW YORK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP. Vice President, Development (NEW YORK CITY) The vice president will oversee team-oriented approaches to develop and implement plans for large-scale and complex projects involving multiple stakeholders. ERNST & YOUNG Corporate Real Estate/Business Transformation Advisory Services Manager (NEW YORK CITY) The manager will manage and participate in advisory engagements and communicate complex real estate issues to the team and the client. BLACKROCK Real Estate Operations/Compliance Analyst (FLORHAM PARK, NJ) The analyst will prepare monthly and annual revenue projections for global real estate operations, monitor and report on compliance with fund requirements for individual transactions. CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD Critical Systems Manager (FAIRFIELD, CT) The manager is responsible for the development, implementation and compliance of policy and procedures for the maintenance and operational up-time of a mission critical facility’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life/safety, and energy management systems. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT Realty Program Specialist (WASHINGTON, DC) The realty program specialist will negotiate, plan, advise and make critical decisions regarding the acquisition and disposal of real estate interests through lease or purchase. SELECTLEADERS Real Estate Derivatives Investment Strategist (NEW YORK CITY) The derivatives investment strategist will gather data and create marketable derivative investment strategies catered to institutional clients, analyze the market and generate trading and research ideas that are driven by catalyst events, breaking news, or the analysis of price. A&P SUPERMARKETS Director of Real Estate Development (MONTVALE, NJ) The director will develop and implement strategic real estate plans in cooperation with the respective operating groups to accomplish corporate store development goals. 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. COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL, SERBIA (SERBIA) The international real estate services provider in Serbia, is promoting Maja Sahbaz as the new general manager. HELMSLEYSPEAR, LLC (NEW YORK CITY) HelmsleySpear, LLC is promoting Paul R. Sygrove to be the new executive vice president of business development for HelmsleySpear, LLC. In addition, Sygrove will continue to serve as EVP and CIO for Swig Equities, LLC. 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. ALCION VENTURES (BOSTON) Alcion Ventures is adding three professionals to its investment management team. These additions position Alcion to take advantage of distressed real estate investment markets. David Ferrero joins Alcion as a partner and is responsible for investment management, investor relations, and new business development. Prior to joining, Ferrero was the director of real estate iInvestments for Harvard management company and a principal at Charlesbank Capital Partners. Eugene DelFavero will join as a partner and the CFO. Meg Donahue as an associate. Prior to joining the firm, Donahue was an associate at The Praedium Group, LLC. POTOMAC REALTY CAPITAL, LLC (NEEDHAM, MA) Potomac Realty Capital is hiring Nancy E. Coyle as their CFO. Jef Elm and Matthew Fuller are coming on as loan originators. Elm spent the past five years as the managing director of originations for Mezz Cap. Fuller comes to Potomac after several years as VP at Countrywide Commercial Finance in Fort Lauderdale, FL. JAMESON REAL ESTATE (CHICAGO) Jameson Real Estate is hiring Sandra Farrell as vice president of development and operations. Sandra was previously VP of operations for equity marketing services, Inc. HGA ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS (MILWAUKEE) HGA Architects and Engineers is hiring Gregory A. Hamilton as a senior associate. Hamilton will lead the firm’s field office in Voorhees, NJ. PALADIN REALTY PARTNERS, LLC (RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL) Paladin Realty Partners is hiring Pablo J. Sala to join the firm as a vice president in its Brazil office. Sala previously worked as director at Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Consulting Group and Development Consulting Practice.