Warming Up

I had the opportunity to attend the ICSC RECON meeting in Las Vegas this week. The temperature was down-right chilly instead of the usual 100 degrees. But inside it was warmer than last year. Attendance at the conference in 2009 was 25,000 and this year, subject to adjustment from on-site was approximately 30,000….a far cry from 50,000 in 2008, but it felt (somewhat) like the retail space is on the mend. Unfortunately, on the employment front the news isn’t as positive. I spent time at the Reconnect Pavilion where professionals were invited to network for career opportunities and resources. Unfortunately the mood was a bit grim as jobs are still few and far between. It’s going to take another year or two for employment in the retail space to firm up. However, the most astounding event at the conference was Sarah Palin’s keynote speech at the kickoff luncheon on Sunday when she announced to the crowd that she really doesn’t like to shop….going to the mall is not her thing! She really knows how to read a crowd!

Job Opportunities COSTAR GROUP Market Advisor (ATLANTA) The advisor will deepen knowledge and understanding of local market conditions through on-the-ground research and active dialogue with local customers, investors, and other industry participants; cultivate, nourish, and maintain a deep network of local contacts and experts to help inform and expand market knowledge; generate a minimum of twenty leads per year through local industry networking; among other duties. ING CLARION Asset Management Analyst (LOS ANGELES) The analyst will analyze lease transactions for compliance with annual operating plan and property valuation assumptions in addition to consideration of tenant mix with an emphasis on maximizing retail sales; coordinate preparation and review of portfolio level and client reports by property manager and market specialists; and monitor and analyze the financial performance of a portfolio of retail properties; among other duties. COMMUNITIES Redevelopment Manager (BOSTON) The manager will be responsible for leading remerchandising planning and execution; assisting with redevelopment planning and execution in order to achieve attractive financial results; among other duties. ARAMARK Director, Advanced Solutions Facilities Proposals (PHILADELPHIA) The director will review and breakdown the RFI, RFP and RFQ customer documents while establishing a strategic plan with specific timelines for the team; gain a detailed understanding of the customer from the proposal team--overt needs and gaps, unstated or unrealized gaps, business challenges and strategic goals--and integrate those elements into a sophisticated and comprehensive proposal demonstrating clearly ARAMARK’s value proposition; among other duties. PRUDENTIAL Vice President, High Yield Debt Group (NEW YORK CITY) The vice president will Conduct preliminary and final underwriting analysis for a variety of commercial real estate debt investments; originate and structure debt investments, including first mortgages, B-notes, mezzanine loans and preferred equity; negotiate term sheets, loan agreements, inter-creditor/participation agreements, purchase & sale agreements and other relevant transaction documentation; among other duties. AMB PROPERTY CORP. Leasing & Marketing Analyst/Office Manager (TUKWILA, WA) The analyst/manager will be responsible for all marketing material and broker events related to leasing efforts as well as collecting information regarding leasing activity/space availability; developing a working knowledge of all of the tenants/spaces in the portfolio; taking proactive ownership of, and responsibility for, all forecasting in the portfolio; among other duties. PFIZER INC. Director, US Commercial Lead for Innovative Workplace Strategies (GROTON, CT) The director will be a source of expert advice for workplace strategy and change management; build the capability of the assigned GO region to deliver advanced workplace strategies; build demand for advanced workplaces within the assigned region; monitor the performance of the regions; among other duties. 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. MARCUS & MILLICHAP (FORT FAUDERDALE, FL) Marcus & Millichap is promoting Gregory Matus to vice president, according Matus currently serves as the regional manager of the Fort Lauderdale and Vero Beach offices, a position he will continue to hold. Joseph Cesta will also be promoted to vice president in Newport Beach, CA. ML REALTY PARTNERS LLC (ITASCA, IL) ML Realty Partners is promoting Renee Hofman to marketing manager of the firm. CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD (NEW YORK CITY) Cushman & Wakefield is promoting Marc Packman to senior managing director in the firm's Strategic Agency Services Group. He was previously a Managing Director; is promoting Michael Gambino to senior director from director; and Kevin Daly to senior director at the global brokerage and services firm from director. 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. THE TOWNSEND GROUP (HONG KONG) The Townsend Group is hiring Nicholas Wong, former managing director Asia Pacific of ING Real Estate Select, as principal to focus on business development and investment underwriting in the region. JONES LANG LASALLE (DALLAS) Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels is hiring Mike Francis in the Southwest as senior vice president of the firm’s select service division. DIGITAL REALTY TRUST, INC. (SAN FRANCISCO) Digital Realty Trust is hiring Kris Kumar as regional head, Asia Pacific. HARBOR GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC (NEW YORK CITY) Harbor Group is hiring Samuel Reichmann as a senior analyst.