Sweet Tooth
Last week the Americas were shuddering over the reality that delights including Twinkies, Wonder Bread, Ring Dings, Devil Dogs, SnoBalls, Yodels and many more goodies that we all grew up with will be no more. This was the result of the bankruptcy court approving the liquidation of the company after management was unable to reach a satisfactory agreement with a variety of unions who represent 18,000 workers who baked, wrapped and delivered the sweet stuff. In many around the nation, there was a run on Twinkies and the other Hostess delights that left the shelves bare. I am lamenting this not only because I now have an unfulfilled craving for everyone of their products, but more so because I am frustrated to see a venerable old institution go the way of so many that have been unable to adjust to changing market conditions. In the case of the unions, such companies are resistant to change and a failure to remain competitive by adjusting work rules and compensation that must be realigned to enable a company to remain on a solid financial footing. Today there is a last-ditch effort by the unions, the bankruptcy court and Hostess management to make a deal to save Ring Dings. Failing that, some of the brands will be picked-up and reintroduced, but alas, the buyer may be a Chinese company that is trying to corner the global Twinkies market.

Tony LoPinto is the Global Sector Leader of Korn/Ferry International's Real Estate Practice and founder of SelectLeaders. The views expressed in this article are the author's own.

ESSEX PROPERTY TRUST
Asset Management Analyst
(PALO ALTO) The analyst will be an integral member of the asset management team with significant accountability for fundamental research and financial modeling. Specific responsibilities will include: researching market and economic fundamentals and emerging trends relative to the firm's property sectors and projects; updating third-party and proprietary databases for key economic, financial and real estate historical data and forecasts; creating monthly and quarterly economic reports; ensuring quality and integrity of data; supporting the investment process in analysis, underwriting and preparation of investment materials both for internal and external constituents; and supporting general department research and analysis.

CLARION PARTNERS
Acquisitions Officer
(NEW YORK CITY) Clarion Partners, one of the largest real estate investment managers in the United States, seeks an acquisition professional to be an integral part of a team that sources, underwrites, evaluates, structures and closes private-equity investments in large institutional-quality real estate properties located throughout Texas. Seven-plus years relevant work experience required. Commercial real estate appraisal, finance, sales, leasing, asset management or development experience a plus.

CIM GROUP
Vice President, Leasing
(LOS ANGELES) The vice president will be responsible for prospecting potential retailers that are appropriate for use, size and economics; manage third-party resources including brokers, legal, LOD development and lease administrator; coordinate tenant-improvement requirements of prospective tenants with tenant construction department; understand pro forma requirements and lender obligations as they relate to leasing activities; develop lease briefs for internal approval; facilitate ownership execution and lease filing of all legal lease documents; maximize conventions for prospecting and closing deals; work with the VP of marketing to develop appropriate marketing materials for leasing; and develop annual revenue and occupancy projections within pro forma and approval guidelines.

EQUITY OFFICE PROPERTIES
Building Engineer
(DENVER) This position will be responsible for the maintenance of all building equipment and systems and performance of preventative and unscheduled maintenance, as directed. In addition, this position will be responsible for the inspection and troubleshooting of mechanical problems and building equipment. Three to four years of experience in property maintenance and mechanical repair in office buildings is required.

PALMER CAPITAL
Capital Markets Partner
(SACRAMENTO) Palmer Capital Inc., an industry leading private commercial real estate firm, is seeking a real estate professional to join its Capital Markets Team here. The firm is recognized for innovative business strategies that source investment opportunities as well as providing debt and equity placement for office, industrial and retail properties in multiple Western markets. The successful candidate will be responsible for underwriting, marketing, structuring debt and equity, and the management of client relationships. Bachelor's degree required, as well as experience in commercial real estate.

PECO CAPITAL (Phillips Edison & Co.)
Vice President
(CINCINNATI) Reporting to the chief financial officer, the vice president of PECO Capital will have primary responsibility for completion of current fundraising efforts, executing upon existing fundraising strategies and initiatives and developing go-forward fundraising strategies and initiatives to achieve the company's objectives and shareholder value. As part of a fully-integrated company, PECO Capital is responsible for providing the equity capital through fund raising from all sources, including high net-worth individual, institutional and joint ventures, for Phillips Edison's various initiatives.

CASSIDY TURLEY
Finance Associate
(WASHINGTON, DC) The finance associate will support a team of five brokers and will be responsible for the following: due diligence, financial analysis and the closing process for loan transactions; researching, analyzing and evaluating deal feasibility, market strength and pricing/valuation structures for various real estate transactions; conveying all particulars of a transaction in formal written format for presentation; and playing a key role in the final underwriting, appraisal and closing of signed loan transactions.

AMTRAK
Facilities Management Program Director
(CHICAGO) This position will be responsible for leadership and management of the facilities owned by CUSCO in the City of Chicago. This will be achieved through sound budgeting and expense management, by providing a clean, safe, efficient facility that provides a well-maintained environment for the building occupants, visitors and customers. The program director will be responsible for effective operations and efficient delivery of all facilities services by ensuring that the facilities and all building systems are maintained to a high level. This includes preventive maintenance, predictive maintenance and small renovation and large capital projects across the following systems: structural, building envelope, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and vertical transportation. Additional ancillary services are provided including Security (CCTV), tenant relations, event support and other operational support.

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
(OAK BROOK, IL) Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services has promoted Steven Weinstock to vice president. Weinstock joined the Detroit office in 2001 as a multifamily and self-storage investment specialist. In 2008, he became sales manager of the firm's Columbus and Cincinnati offices. He was promoted to regional manager of the Oak Brook office in 2009.

OPRY MILLS
(NASHVILLE) Tarasina Schneller, a marketing professional with a background in guest relations and revenue generation, was recently named director of marketing and business development at Opry Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in Tennessee. Schneller has more than seven years of experience with Simon Property Group acting as director of marketing and business development at Battlefield Mall in Springfield, MO and Towne East Square in Wichita, KS.

MB REAL ESTATE
(CHICAGO) MB Real Estate has revealed that David Burkards has been promoted to senior vice president from vice president within the firm's corporate services and tenant advisory group. Burkards joined in 2002 as an associate and quickly rose within the organization based on his expertise and transaction volume.

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.