The addition of the GDC/RE team follows several other key hires at NGKF in Phoenix. This spring, the office welcomed directors Kathleen Morgan and Trisha Talbot, both from GPE Commercial Advisors, where they specialized in medical office properties. Together, they brought 1.2 million square feet of primarily medical office listings in the greater metro area and became part of NGKF's Global Healthcare Services practice.

Jerry Jacobs, executive managing director, and Michael Crystal, managing director, both joined from Cushman & Wakefield, also in spring 2014. Specializing in office tenant and landlord representation, they added two million square feet in listings, comprising class A high-rise buildings and class B mid- and low-rise buildings in the Phoenix CBD and surrounding area. Last year, Jacobs was recognized as one of the top producers in the Phoenix area. Crystal has leased and sold over five million square feet of office space during his tenure and is involved in more than 80 lease transactions each year.

"Our robust expansion not only demonstrates NGKF's commitment to the city and greater region, but it also is part of the company's broader and ongoing goal to be the commercial real estate service firm of choice nationwide and globally through key partnerships, strategic acquisitions and the hiring of more top-notch executives," Pete Bolton, executive vice president and managing director of NGKF's Phoenix office, tells GlobeSt.com.

"Phoenix has been experiencing rapid population growth for years and its economy and job picture is now improving steadily. That translates into more activity in commercial real estate and the need for more experienced, connected brokers. For example, in the office sector, tenant expansions are the largest generator of activity in the Valley amid tightening conditions. The medical industry continues to be a huge occupier of office space throughout the county with a big emphasis on the purchase of medical office buildings and condos. In retail, we're seeing many new tenants establishing a presence in what has always been one of the biggest retail meccas in the country. Restaurants are booming with the proliferation of new concepts and the expansion of existing ones," Bolton adds.