In a release, Matthew Van Buren, executive managing director at CBRE, says Needleman "has created his own niche practice in the highly competitive world of financial services real estate. He has surpassed expectations since being named CBRE's inaugural 'Rookie of the Year' in 2004."

Among Needleman's notable achievements is a three-year global assignment with Scientific Games Corp. for its two-million-square-foot portfolio. Other deals of note include an 80,000-square-foot lease for HSH Nordbank at 230 Park Ave.; a 53,000-square-foot expansion and extension lease for New Jersey's largest law firm, McCarter & English, at 245 Park Ave.; the leasing of 271,000 square feet at 787 Seventh Ave. and the disposition of 268,000 square feet at 1740 Broadway, both on behalf of AXA Financial; and the disposition of 200,000 square feet for Reed Elsevier at 360 Park Ave. South.

Some of Needleman's most substantial 2008 transactions included Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management's 31,000-square-foot relocation to Park Avenue Plaza, Claren Road Asset Management's 18,000-square-foot expansion at 900 Third Ave. and Inscap Management's 22,000-square-foot renewal at 230 Park Ave. Last month, CBRE spotlighted Mary Ann Tighe, CEO of the New York tristate region, as the company's top-producing sales professional for '08. She completed 5.6 million square feet of sales and leasing transactions last year, including Ogilvy New York's 565,000-square-foot lease at 636 Eleventh Ave.