(Carl Cronan is editor of Real Estate Florida.)

TAMPA, FL-Previously announced job cuts by Minneapolis-based Opus Corp. are starting to become evident within its Opus South division. John Flavin, whom the development firm hired last year as vice president of Florida operations at its local office, is among 200 employees being let go companywide.

Opus has not disclosed specifically how many layoffs are occurring at its Tampa office or at Opus South's newly relocated Atlanta headquarters. A company spokeswoman previously told GlobeSt.com that 65 people were released from the Minneapolis headquarters and others would be spread out evenly among its five divisions nationwide, although "Florida is one of those markets hit harder." Opus South has additional Florida offices in Orlando and Boca Raton.

Flavin, a 25-year real estate veteran who joined Opus South in April 2008, declined to comment specifically on the company's layoffs in Tampa other than to say this is his last week with the company. He was formerly president and CEO of Naples-based Gates Capital Group and held prior positions with British-based Grosvenor Group and the Oliver Carr Co. in Washington, DC.