HOUSTON-In an effort to grow its various platforms, NGKF Capital Markets has hired Aaron Swerdlin as executive managing director and Kenneth Cox as senior managing director of its national Self-Storage Group. Swerdlin will join the NGKF Houston office, while Cox will operate from his base in Memphis, TN.

“Aaron and Kenneth are recognized leaders in the self storage space,” says Jimmy Kuhn, president of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank and head of NGKF Capital Markets. “Their knowledge and long-standing relationships are invaluable for clients exploring this alternative asset class. We couldn't be more pleased to have them on board and are confident they will help us build a highly successful self storage practice.”

Swerdlin joins NGKF Capital Markets from HFF LP, where he led the firm's self storage group for five years. Previously, he served as a senior managing director and the managing partner at Storage Investment Advisors, LLP. Earlier in his career, Mr. Swerdlin spent seven years as head of the self storage advisory group for CBRE. An active member of several national and state self storage trade organizations, he is a frequent speaker at industry events and his articles are published regularly in local and national real estate publications.