CHICAGO—Geoffrey M. Kasselman, the co-founder of the local commercial real estate advisory firm Op2mize, has just been hired by Newmark Grubb Knight Frank as an executive managing director and will lead the firm's national industrial practice. NGKF officials say the 26-year industry veteran will enhance their industrial brokerage capabilities across North America.
“Geoff's systematic approach to real estate goes beyond traditional bricks and mortar, by identifying and implementing customized client-centric solutions that improve operating efficiencies and reduce related expenses,” says Michael Sheinkop, executive vice president and regional managing director. “NGKF's clients and professionals alike will benefit from his dynamic 'total cost' approach and other progressive efforts in the industrial sector.”
As president and CEO of Op2mize since 2004, Kasselman has for years pushed decision makers in the commercial real estate world to adopt and make better use of technology. Earlier this year, he told GlobeSt.com that “the industry is back on steady footing . . . and because the knowledge worker of tomorrow has become today's workforce, and they're demanding it and because there's been a squeeze on profits during that downturn, all of a sudden everyone seems to be amenable to it.”
Before starting Op2mize, he also founded and directed Studley's Industrial Services Group, and spent 10 years at Insignia/FC&S, ending up as managing director and vice president. Over the years, Kasselman has been involved in more than 1,000 transactions valued at over $1 billion, working with firms such as PepsiAmericas, Marriott Distribution Services, DHL, Cardinal Health, Charles Schwab, UPS Properties, IDI, CenterPoint Properties, Prologis, and Liberty Property Trust, among many others.
“NGKF's robust platform provides the ideal infrastructure and expertise from which to deliver a complete package of services including advanced strategies in industrial real estate,” says Kasselman. “At the same time, we share a deep mutual respect for the entrepreneurial nature of the brokerage business, and the opportunity to work for a global, full-service firm that shares my passion for unconditional client advocacy and collaboration was extremely appealing.”
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Brian J. Rogal
Brian J. Rogal is a Chicago-based freelance writer with years of experience as an investigative reporter and editor, most notably at The Chicago Reporter, where he concentrated on housing issues. He also has written extensively on alternative energy and the payments card industry for national trade publications.
