Will McIntosh brings 20-plus years in the global investment management sector to his new role of global head of research for USAA Real Estate Co., based in San Antonio, TX. Before joining USAA, McIntosh served as head of global research for the real estate department of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in Abu Dhabi. He has also held key positions at ING Real Estate Investment Management, AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp. and Prudential Global Asset Management Group.

The growth of GE Capital Real Estate's debt business would not have been possible without the effort of its national sales team, which spans some 60 professionals in 10 offices. Ed Coco, Atlanta-based senior managing director and national sales leader for GE Real Estate's North America division, oversees their activities. Having started his industry career in the early 1990s, doing RTC workouts, the executive has been through his share of market cycles. Here, Coco shares his take on how GE Capital Real Estate shifted its strategy to operate in the current market, while remaining a strong global and regional player.

WE'RE DEDICATED TO GIVING YOU EXACTLY what you want, which is why REAL ESTATE FORUM is re-launching Better Buildings magazine as a quarterly supplement focusing on the bottom-line challenges of property operations.

Walker & Dunlop's multi-faceted growth plan is particularly important given the continuing debate over GSE reform. Currently, the sentiment from economists and housing experts suggests Congress will not take steps to overhaul Freddie and Fannie in 2013 because other issues—like taxes and spending—are more critical to the nation's economy.

NEW YORK CITY-In its second deal announced this week, DHA Capital has partnered with USAA and Crimson Real Estate Fund to secure the Midtown West development site.

SAN FRANCISCO-The new JV, Prologis European Logistics Partners Sàrl, will focus initially on the acquisition of assets currently wholly owned by Prologis in 11 European markets.

SECAUCUS, NJ-The free-standing, 45,000-square-foot LA Fitness Meadowlands building in Secaucus traded this week for $16.4 million, GlobeSt.com has learned. One Liberty Properties purchased the property from Hartz Mountain Industries, and Cushman & Wakefield handled the transaction. C&W's Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group members Andrew Merin, David Bernhaut, Gary Gabriel and Jared Zimmel orchestrated the sale of the LA Fitness facility at 485 Harmon Meadow Blvd. …

The workshop will serve as a preview of the new LEED Version 4 (formerly 2012) certification programs to be launched in late 2013. This session will help to educate our members with a review of changes to the rating system, including new and revised credits, the potential impact nationally, regionally, and within NYC, and the relationship between progressive voluntary certifications like LEED and recent legislation.