In the Spotlight

Cresa Appoints Margaret Wigglesworth as Senior Vice President, Operations

February 1, 2012

Cresa announced today that Margaret Wigglesworth will join the firm as Senior Vice President, Operations. In this role she will lead the firm’s specialty services groups, including corporate services, capital markets, lease administration, consulting, facility management, and industrial services. She will also oversee the firm’s investments and develop and lead the firm’s practice groups. Wigglesworth was formerly President and CEO of Colliers USA.

Wigglesworth’s credentials include over 30 years in organizational management and strategic development. Her decade-long leadership helped to fuel growth at the USA arm of Colliers, a global network of 40 independently-owned and geographically-distributed commercial real estate firms. During her tenure, Wigglesworth served on the Board of Directors and successfully led an innovative strategic restructuring of the company to expand its national and international service platform.

Most recently, Wigglesworth was Executive Director of the Boston Society of Architects, an organization of 3500 members committed to professional development, advocacy on behalf of great design, and sharing an appreciation for the built environment with the public at large. The BSA produces a diverse array of programs and publications, including ABX and ArchitectureBoston.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone with Margaret’s depth of experience,” said Bill Goade, CEO, Cresa. “Her leadership and management skills, which were instrumental in Colliers’ growth during her tenure, will prove invaluable to Cresa.”

Rob Wheeler Shares Industrial Insights for Site Selection Magazine

January 23, 2012

In the recent edition of Site Selection magazine, Rob Wheeler, vice president with Cresa Chicago, shared his insight for an article entitled “Fuel Costs Now Drive D.C. Site Decisions.”

In the article, Rob says the volatility and rising cost of fuel is a hot topic in logistics. He says companies have plans to be more regional in their approach.

“Supply chain folks are considering that on an everyday basis—what’s happening with energy and how it will affect their business,” Wheeler says. “More and more companies are looking at intermodal transportation to mitigate some of these risks. Intermodal parks are popping up across the country. A shift to rail is an overarching trend. There is an obvious shifting to rail, and real estate around rail will get a premium. The key from a site selection perspective is understanding that transportation is eight to 10 times more expensive than rent. People are becoming more and more focused on that.”

To read the full article in Site Selection, click here.

Cresa Opens East Bay Office, Expands Presence in Bay Area

January 16, 2012

Cresa, North America’s largest corporate real estate advisory firm specializing in tenant representation, recently announced the opening of its newest office: Cresa East Bay, located in Oakland, CA. The new office will be led by Managing Principals Matt Elmquist and Scott Stone, who formerly were principals at AEGIS Realty Partners in Oakland. The East Bay team, including Vice President Stephen Carlson, Advisor Frank Palestini, and Marketing Manager Jennifer Tucker, will work closely with Cresa San Francisco, expanding Cresa’s leadership in the Bay Area along with the firm’s offices in San Jose and Palo Alto.

Elmquist and Stone have a combined total of 30 years’ experience in commercial real estate. Their major clients have included Amyris, Biotime, Children’s Hospital in Oakland, GT Nexus, Oncologic, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, and Zogenix.

“Cresa has been expanding services in the local area, and our new office in East Bay is a logical extension for us,” said Zodikoff. “Matt and Scott are highly respected top producers who share our tenant advocacy philosophy and are very compatible with our corporate culture. By joining forces, we become a stronger player in the East Bay and throughout the region.”

Cresa and Savills Announce Joint Venture, SavillsCresa

January 9, 2012

Cresa recently announced that it has formed a joint venture, SavillsCresa, LLC, with international real estate advisor Savills. Under terms of the joint venture, SavillsCresa will pursue and service companies which are not currently a client of either Savills or Cresa. SavillsCresa clients will benefit from unparalleled global expertise along with the simplicity of signing a single contract for worldwide real estate services. The joint venture expands upon the strategic partnership formed by the two companies earlier this year.

Global real estate services provider Savills plc offers a network of more than 200 offices in 40 countries. The firm, listed on the London Stock Exchange, provides clients with a broad range of specialist advisory, management and transactional services.

"Our successful alliance with Cresa pointed quite logically toward the value of a deepened relationship between our two companies," said Jeremy Helsby, CEO of Savills plc. "SavillsCresa provides a unique international global service capability which we believe many companies will find quite attractive as they expand around the world."

Cresa Atlanta Presents $50,000 Donation to Hire Heroes USA

January 2, 2012

Cresa Atlanta recently presented a donation of $50,000 to Hire Heroes USA. This contribution was made in honor of John Bardis, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of MedAssets. Mr. Bardis founded Hire Heroes USA more than five years ago and currently serves on the Board of Directors, as well as being an active advocate for the organization, which offers job transition assistance to military personnel. Hire Heroes USA is a national, nonprofit organization headquartered in Alpharetta, GA that offers free transition assistance, job search assistance, and job placement services to those who have honorably served in the U.S. military — and to their spouses — in order to reduce veteran unemployment. For more information visit www.hireheroesusa.org.

Barbara Liberatore Black wins Networking Deal of the Year Award from CREW-Miami

December 27, 2011

Barbara Liberatore Black, Founding Principal in our Miami office, recently won Networking Deal of the Year, transaction value above $2M, from the Miami chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW-Miami). CREW-Miami presents these awards annually to its members who have made a significant impact on the organization itself and on the commercial real estate industry in the area.

Justin Halpern Chosen as One of 20 to Watch in 2012

December 19, 2011

Justin Halpern, Vice President in our New York office, was chosen as one of the Commercial Observer’s 20 to Watch in 2012. After working on deals for Oracle Corporation, Amazon.com, and Rosewood Hotels and Resorts LLC, Justin has the right mix of tech firms and hotel groups in his client list that will keep him busy for the years to come. More importantly, he has the drive to see his success through. Marcus Rayner described him as “a motivated, dedicated, hard-working professional whose talents and insights have helped him grow enormously since joining the firm four years ago.”

Cresa Toronto Raises $10,000 for Movember Campaign

December 12, 2011

For the second year in a row, Cresa Toronto took part in Movember, an annual month-long campaign taking place during the month of November. The purpose of this initiative is raising funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer. From November 1st to November 30th, male participants grow moustaches, starting the month with a clean shave. This year, 12 Toronto office Mo Bros, along with four Toronto office Mo Sistas raised a total of $10,628. With $38,463,569 raised this year, Canada ranked first on the country leader board. Globally, a total of 853,426 participants raised $106,846,145.

Jack Petrie is the Online World's Brick-and-Mortar Man

December 5, 2011

Our very own Jack Petrie was profiled in the New York Observer for his work helping start-up technology companies manage their real estate needs. Dubbed the “online world’s brick and mortar man,” Jack connects with tech firms by leveraging his relationships with venture capitalists. An industry veteran, Jack previously had stints at Staubach, Equis, and LaSalle Partners.

Read the full article here.

Keppler

Holliday

Keith Keppler and Kent Holliday to Speak at CoreNet Roundtable

November 28, 2011

Keith Keppler and Kent Holliday, Principals in our New York office, will be leading a special end user roundtable on Wednesday, November 30 entitled “Is Benchmarking Obsolete?” for the Chicago chapter of CoreNet. Topics for the roundtable include “What isn’t counted counts: Outsourcing and KPIs,” “Push the boundaries: More than office space,” and “Convergence: Are IT, HR & RE the same thing?” For more information and to register, visit chicago.corenetglobal.org.

Kevin Haverty Speaks at CoreNet Global Summit in Atlanta

November 21, 2011

Kevin Haverty, Jr., SVP, Enterprise Solutions with Cresa Toronto, spoke on a panel at the recent CoreNet Global Summit in Atlanta. The panel, entitled “Empowering the Decision-Making Process: Using Technology to Secure Buy-in From Stakeholders,” focused on new 3D modeling software developed in Toronto by ARCeSTRA. The software is a powerful tool providing significant value to both service partners and corporate real estate leaders with the change management and transition management required when renovating, restacking, or relocating. Kevin was also a featured speaker at the spring CoreNet Global Summit in Chicago on a panel with Symantec and Wells Fargo on “Money Talks: How Corporate Language Drives Corporate Real Estate Strategy” and at the National FEI Conference in Ottawa on “CFO Tricks of the Trade.”

Los Angeles Office Recognized as Best Place to Work for the Fifth Year in a Row

November 14, 2011

Cresa Los Angeles was recently recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as the 6th Best Large Company at which to work in Los Angeles. This is the fifth year in a row that Cresa received the honor and is the firm’s highest ranking to date, having ranked in the top 10 Best Places to Work in four of the past five surveys.

Companies are selected based on the results of a two-part workplace assessment and survey managed by the Best Places Group, which collects information about each company’s benefits, policies, and practices and evaluates the employees’ workplace experience and company culture.

“We are honored to receive this accolade for the fifth year in a row,” said Gerald Porter, Founding Principal of Cresa. “Our employees are our strongest asset, and we are proud that we have established an environment wherein they produce great results for our clients.”

Cresa Sponsoring CoreNet Global Summit in Atlanta

November 6, 2011

Cresa is sponsoring the CoreNet Global Summit going on November 6-8 in Atlanta. The Summit, titled “Social Dynamics: Connectivity, Creativity, Relationships” will delve into the role of our “connected culture” and how corporate real estate can keep pace with the growth in connectedness and interdependencies across cultures. The Summit will continue the discussion of how the dynamics of our new social reality propel us forward, providing opportunities to meet the new challenges facing our industry by connecting, creating, and building the relationships we need for success. On Monday, November 7 from 12 PM – 2 PM, Cresa will be featuring a book signing with Kate Vitasek, author of The Vested Outsourcing Manual, and giving away free copies of the book. If you’re attending the conference, please stop by Cresa’ booth, #617.

Gary Stein Hosts DCBIA Seminar

October 31, 2011

Gary J. Stein, Managing Principal in our Washington, DC office, hosted the District of Columbia Building Industry Association’s annual commercial real estate update entitled “State of the Leasing Market.” Over 350 commercial real estate professionals attended the seminar at The National Press Club. During the session, Gary facilitated an insightful discussion, which focused on market statistics, job growth, and major trends in Washington, DC commercial real estate.

Cresa Sponsors World's Largest Workplace Survey

October 24, 2011

As part of our focus on tenant’s issues, Cresa is sponsoring the World’s Largest Workplace Survey, a global initiative that will be the authoritative source of information on work environment. Click here to take the survey.

Cresa is working with HOK to launch the World’s Largest Workplace Survey. We’d like to hear from you about your workplace! By participating, you will be part of an unprecedented study that explores how work is evolving across the globe. As the number of participants grows, results from this survey will be posted on The World's Largest Workplace Survey Facebook page so you can see how your workplace differs from others across the planet. We’ll also regularly post ideas and research on how to boost your productivity and reduce stress in your work-life. Anyone, anywhere, no matter what profession can contribute!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where do I access the survey results?
http://www.hoksurveyweb.com/CustomReport.aspx?CReportID=m8K26m
When will the survey results be available?
High level results are available immediately, more detailed results will be provided once a significant data set has been collected for meaningful results.
How does the survey track responses?
All survey responses are confidential; however, there is an optional question at the end asking for an “organizational code” which, if used, can help companies compare their data to the rest of the database.
Will my response be included in the larger data pool?
Yes, however it will be completely confidential to other survey respondents.
Can the survey be customized to meet my company’s specific needs?
Unfortunately once the survey has launched, it will not be possible to change questions. However, if your company is interested in doing a more customized survey we can offer this as a service.
Once we have the results, what do we do with them?
We’ll be summarizing results to look for trends across industries, geographies, generations, and the like. We will be packaging and presenting results to share with clients at the end of Q4, 2011.
Can I track survey responses specific to my company?
Yes, we are offering clients the ability to track their results separately using an “organizational code” that each participant will use when they fill out the survey. However, individual results will be confidential.
Who do I contact to receive a company specific survey code?
Contact Hillary Walter (hwalter@Cresa.com) from Cresa to receive a company code.

Cresa Atlanta Honored as Best Place to Work

October 17, 2011

Cresa Atlanta recently ranked on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s list of the Best Places to Work in the small company category for the fourth consecutive year. This year, the Atlanta office placed 23rd in the small company category, ranked by overall score of employee surveys among 500 other companies.

Cresa' Tim Myllykangas to Present "Stay or Go?" Workshop at CFO Rising West Conference

October 10, 2011

Tim Myllykangas, Principal in our Boston office, will be a featured presenter at the 2011 CFO Rising West Conference and Expo October 16-19 in San Diego, CA. The annual conference will focus on “The Top 10 Strategic Challenges for the CFO.” Myllykangas, who founded and manages Cresa' national Workforce & Location Planning (W&LP) practice, will present the workshop “Stay or Go? Corporate Location Planning.”

The session will address the variables that drive corporate location and identify significant savings that can be realized when workforce and other performance benchmarks of an existing portfolio are measured and aligned with the business. Specific topics will include the importance of workforce recruitment and retention of talent as a location driver, workforce footprint optimization, and portfolio consolidations and expansions.

“Deciding where to locate your real estate assets is a critical challenge for CFOs who are trying to cut costs and maximize performance,” says Myllykangas, who stresses the overall need for W&LP as the first step in real estate planning.

The workshop will take place on Monday, October 17, 2011 from 4:15-5:05 p.m. Cresa will be at conference booth #113.

CEO Bill Goade Featured as one of "The Next" in Real Estate Forum

October 3, 2011

Bill Goade, CEO of Cresa, was featured as one of “The Next” in Real Estate Forum’s September edition, which marked the magazine’s 65th anniversary. “The Next” spotlights the trends and people that are likely to be the next legends in the commercial real estate industry in the next five years. With Bill as CEO, Cresa has grown to more than 55 offices across North America and more than 800 employees and has recently forged a partnership with real estate advisor Savills, expanding its coverage internationally.

Click here to read the full issue of Real Estate Forum.

Jeff Manley Speaks on RealShare Orange County Panel

September 26, 2011

Jeff Manley, Principal in our Orange County office, recently spoke at the RealShare Orange County 2011 conference, which had record attendance of more than 500 people. He was part of the final panel of the day entitled “Where is Corporate America Expanding?” which discussed issues like signs of recovery in an improved Orange County office market.

On the panel, Jeff emphasized that it is still a good time to be a tenant and that there isn’t “any substantial indication that it will change in the near future.” But one challenge that companies are facing is doing more with less space. Typically, he finds tenants reducing space when renewing their leases.

Paula Fowler Selected as TechAmerica Georgia Advisory Board Member

September 19, 2011

Paula Fowler, Senior Vice President - Operations in our Atlanta office, was recently appointed to the advisory board for TechAmerica Georgia, the national partner of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). As a member of the 12-person board, Paula will support the direction and strategic objectives for the association in Georgia. She has been involved with TechAmerica since before joining Cresa.

Georgia board members set the strategic course by playing a key role in the development and execution of the organization’s plan; open doors to leverage physical, social, intellectual and political capital; and provide resources to support the procurement of human capital and financial resources. The board’s structure is supported by three primary task forces – Membership, Spirit of Endeavor and Government Relations – which ultimately contribute to the association’s aspiration.

Cresa Atlanta has been an active member of TechAmerica for the last five years, a sponsor of their Spirit of Endeavor Awards, and a co-sponsor of the Atlanta TechAmerica Finance Roundtable.

Cresa Sponsors New CoreNet Initiative

September 12, 2011

CoreNet Global, the world's leading association of corporate real estate (CRE) and workplace professionals, has launched Corporate Real Estate 2020, a transformative research initiative that brings together corporate real estate thought leaders to analyze and consider the industry's current and future state. Cresa is a Premier Sponsor.

Corporate Real Estate 2020 launched August 17 in Dallas with 70 corporate real estate and workplace executives, service providers and economic development professionals gathering at AT&T's global headquarters to discuss the transformative research effort and workplace of the future. Scott Bumpas and Keith Keppler represented Cresa at the kickoff event.

The launch team examined a wide range of external and macro-economic, societal, political and other influences, triangulating these drivers against a litany of trends affecting the globally networked enterprise and CRE itself.

With the launch meeting completed, the research effort will open up to the entire CoreNet Global membership to reflect the diversity of knowledge, experience, viewpoints and geographies of the 7,000-member global organization. Results of Corporate Real Estate 2020 will be delivered at CoreNet Global's San Diego Global Summit April 29 – May 1, 2012.

The new research program involves eight teams exploring relevant trends and topics for the industry, with CoreNet Global staff serving as liaisons. The eight domains are Enterprise Leadership, Location Strategy and the Role of Place, Portfolio Optimization and Asset Management, Service Delivery and Outsourcing, Sustainability, Technology Tools, Workplace, and Partnering with Key Support Functions.

From left to right: André Granello, Chuck
Goldstein, David Price, and Barrett Gibson

Cresa Houston and Gibson & Granello Merge

September 6, 2011

Cresa Houston recently announced their merger with Gibson & Granello Realty Partners, LLC. The new organization will be led by a group of four industry veterans: André Granello, Barrett Gibson, David Price and Chuck Goldstein. Sue Rogers, Julie King and Kevin Gardner will continue to be part of the company’s leadership team.

André and Barrett will lead the management effort for the new company. When asked what prompted them to make the transition, André replied, “We felt Cresa' national platform and its proprietary resources strengthened our service deliverables to our clients. Over the past several years, although we had built a respectable group, we realized that to grow more aggressively and increase our ability to compete, we had to make some bold moves. After interviewing nearly every available national provider, we made the decision to invest in Cresa.”

Barrett commented on the new partnership: “Cresa has an impressive national platform with legitimate international coverage through its partnership with Savills. The strong foundation provides us with the confidence that we can accomplish considerable things at this level. Furthermore, we consider ourselves very fortunate to be teamed up with the industry veterans that make up the local Cresa leadership.”

Savills Produces Positive Results in Half Yearly Report

August 29, 2011

Savills plc, Cresa’ strategic partner, has announced positive results in its recent Half Yearly Report. Group revenue was up 10% to £335.8m with strong growth in transaction advisory business driven in part by the continued strength of Asia Pacific markets, particularly Greater China. Additionally, there was continued investment focused on the recruitment of new teams and offices across the Savills network.

"Savills has delivered a good first half performance as a result of the continued strength of our businesses in key transactional markets in the UK and Asia Pacific. At the same time we have increased revenue and profits in Fund Management, substantially reduced losses in the US business and improved our like-for-like performance in Continental Europe,” said Jeremy Helsby, Group Chief Executive of Savills plc.

“Our commitment to hiring the best people and providing the very highest levels of service to our clients has helped us to extend our market share in the UK and Asia. We have continued to invest across the business, through selective acquisitions, further recruitment and expansion in core regions. We will continue to take advantage of selective growth opportunities to improve our service offering to clients.”

Cresa Selected as a United Space Alliance Supplier of the Year

August 22, 2011

Cresa has been selected as one of the United Space Alliance (USA) Suppliers of the Year, an achievement which was based on the organization’s support of USA in managing the downsizing of its leased real estate portfolio. USA supports NASA’s Space Shuttle program and as that program grew, USA’s leased portfolio expanded to include 24 sites in Texas, Florida, Alabama and Washington, DC. In this post-Space Shuttle era, USA needed to divest surplus properties in order to right-size the company. The Cresa team, comprised of advisors from our Houston, Denver, Orlando, and Birmingham offices, worked in collaboration with USA on a strategic plan to meet these goals.

Sue Rogers Named as a Women of Influence

August 15, 2011

Congratulations to Sue Rogers, principal in our Houston office, for being named a Woman of Influence by Real Estate Forum magazine in their July/August edition. These awards are given to accomplished women in the commercial real estate industry in recognition of their career achievements. Rogers, with 30 years of commercial real estate experience, was one of 51 women chosen out of 200 nominations. Some career accomplishments include being named the top producer in the Houston office in 2010 and serving as president of CoreNet Global's Houston chapter. Sue is also recognized for her work mentoring young professionals in her office.

Alternative Workplace Strategies: Advanced Technology and Cultural Change Make it Easier to Optimize Office Space and Cut Costs

August 8, 2011

The idea of alternative workplace strategies (AWS) is not new. But while companies have for some time tried to improve their workflow and reduce expenses, the process and implementation have changed dramatically. Today, thanks to advanced technology, a cultural shift and economic conditions that prompt downsizing, more tenants are addressing the physical requirements of their organizations – and in many cases they are seeking new workplace solutions.

For example, in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, which tend to be at the forefront of technology and lifestyle trends, more tenants are now planning for the workplace of tomorrow. In San Francisco, younger generations of web and social/digital-media companies are demanding creative space alternatives that include smaller workstations, the new cube, reconfiguration of space, virtual offices, hotelling, and more open spaces and common areas. Throughout the area, startups as well as established companies are benchmarking against companies that have saved significantly while also improving their productivity and morale.

The success of this workplace optimization depends on how well companies align their workplace strategies with their business plans and how well plans are executed. In any event, it may be time to look ahead as the office the future takes shape today. So, consider what’s missing in your workplace, and plan to optimize it moving forward.

Learn more from Cresa’ Robin Weckesser, principal, in the current issue of CoreNet’s THE LEADER here.

Cresa Welcomes Three New Board of Directors Members

August 1, 2011

Cresa has recently elected Matthew Miller, Rich Rhodes, and Mark Ayers to its Board of Directors.

Matthew Miller, principal in our Los Angeles office, has been at Cresa for 27 years. Specializing in representing entertainment and technology companies, Matthew’s clients include DreamWorks, Oracle, Sony, HBO, and Activision. He is a graduate of UCLA.

Rich Rhodes, managing principal in our Bethesda office, has more than 27 years of experience in tenant representation. He has been honored numerous times as a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Commercial Leasing Club for his work with prominent regional and national clients. Rich has a B.A. from Tulane University.

Mark Ayers, founding principal in our Charlotte office, has 15 years of commercial real estate experience. Prior to joining Cresa, he worked at both Staubach and Trammel Crow. Mark received a B.S. from Muskingum College and an MBA from Ashland University.

Cresa DC Celebrates 10 Years of Providing Project Management Services

July 25, 2011

Cresa is celebrating 10 years of providing Project Management services to its clients in the metro DC area. Kathy Thomas founded the PM practice in April 2001. With the recent addition of Jim Moore and Christie Chamberlain, the PM team in DC has grown to include five professionals with a combined 72 years of experience in the industry, who have helped to serve more than 120 clients. Overall, Cresa now has 100 PMs worldwide.

Cresa Minneapolis Honored as Best Place to Work

July 18, 2011

Cresa Minneapolis was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in the small company category by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Winning companies were chosen based on anonymous employee surveys. This is the sixth year in a row that the Minneapolis office has received this designation.

George Boyadjis Elected as National Chair of Financial Executives International (FEI)

July 11, 2011

George Boyadjis, executive director of Cresa Minneapolis, was recently elected to the position of FEI’s national chair after serving as national vice chair for the previous year. FEI is the association of choice for CFOs and other senior-level financial executives. Boyadjis, who has been a member of FEI since 2006, also served as vice president at large from 2008-2010. A member of the FEI Board for five years, he also previously chaired the Strategic Planning Committee for FEI, served as member of FEI’s Ethics and Eligibility Committee, and was the president of FEI’s Twin Cities chapter.

Nuss

David Nuss and Karen Galvin Join Cresa LLC

July 6, 2011

Cresa today announced that David Nuss has joined the firm as Vice President of Information Technology and Karen Galvin has been added to the corporate office team as Vice President, Marketing. Both will implement national programs designed to strengthen the organization’s service delivery to clients.

Prior to joining Cresa, Dave Nuss served as Director of IT Services – North America for International Power, Marlborough, MA. He was also previously Vice President of Technology Services for Harte-Hanks and Director of Global Technology Projects and Network Services at Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

Galvin

Karen Galvin has a 20 year career in commercial real estate, most recently serving as Director of Marketing and Communications for Colliers USA, where she implemented the organization’s first national marketing program. She also previously worked as Director of Marketing for Spaulding & Slye (now part of Jones Lang LaSalle) and in a similar role at Grubb & Ellis’s Boston office.

“Adding David and Karen to our corporate team is a reflection of our growth and expansion as an organization,” said Bill Goade, CEO. “In the past few years we have added new offices and new service lines and our international capabilities have expanded as a result of our alliance with Savills. To support this growth, we needed to add to our corporate team and Dave and Karen bring a wealth of experience to our organization,” he added.

Boston Office Honored as Best Place to Work

June 27, 2011

Cresa’ Boston office was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in the small company category by the Boston Business Journal. Results were based on ratings and comments from an anonymous employee survey, and the winners were recognized for having high levels of workplace satisfaction and great workplace cultures. This is the fifth time in the last six years that Cresa Boston has won this award.

Cresa Connection Now Available

June 20, 2011

As the real estate recovery plods along, companies in most markets are still cautious about making deals, even as the window of opportunity for tenants begins to close. At the same time, companies are looking to reduce costs through creative workplace solutions.

How to realize success and manage change is the theme of this edition of Connection in which we illustrate how integrated corporate real estate services can help tenants save money and increase productivity. In addition to our lead story, which focuses on workplace solutions through Project Management, we look at ways to save money through Facilities Management and the benefits of integrating Workforce & Location Planning into a company’s real estate strategy.

In this issue, we review market trends and outline global impacts that affect local corporate sustainability programs. We also highlight client services for Hinckley, Allen & Snyder. Finally, we are pleased to announce our exciting new global real estate alliance with Savills.

Read more about these topics and articles from previous Connection newsletters here: http://www.Cresa.com/news/newsletters.asp.

Savills Ranks First in U.K. Property Services Survey For Eighth Consecutive Year

June 13, 2011

Savills, Cresa’ strategic alliance partner, has been ranked as the UK’s number one property services firm in leading trade publication Property Week’s annual survey of property advisors for the eighth consecutive year.

The survey reports that Savills UK turnover (revenue) increased by 16% in 2010 compared to the previous year, standing at $541 million with CBRE at $388 million and Jones Lang LaSalle at $349 million.

Savills also retained its fourth and fifth place positions in the European and Global league tables respectively.

Jeremy Helsby CEO of Savills says: “This is another superb result for Savills and we are very proud to have maintained our number one position. “The resurgence of investment activity in prime global markets, most notably in London and a number of Asian capitals, led to another strong set of results last year and we look forward to further success as we continue to improve our worldwide service to our clients.”

Cresa Raises Funds for Five Charities at its Second Annual Silent Auction

June 7, 2011

Cresa has donated more than $76,000 to five charities. The funds were raised by Cresa employees during the second annual Silent Auction held at its recent Spring Meeting in San Diego, CA.
The five charities that Cresa is supporting include:

Down Syndrome Research Foundation: Established in 1995, the Foundation works to ensure a brighter future for individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities by increasing their cognitive and social development.

George Mark Children's House: A nonprofit organization that makes available the gift of time to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. As the first— and, currently, only—freestanding residential pediatric palliative care facility in the United States, they provide a unique alternative to hospice, hospital, or home care.

CURE – Childhood Cancer: For more than 30 years, CURE has dedicated to discovering cures for childhood cancer through cutting edge research and providing education and support to patients and their families while providing support programs and services for children with cancer.

Challenged Athletes Foundation: This organization provides opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics Ultimately the program aims to change perceptions and believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.

DJ Fiddle Foundation: This organization develops, advocates for and awards grants to programs that expand opportunities for adults affected by Autism to be participants and contributors to community life. An integral part of the Foundation's mission is to support community outreach and education regarding the life span issues associated with.

Cresa Recognizes Significant Achievement at Spring Meeting

May 31, 2011

Cresa announced the individuals and offices who received achievement awards at its recent Spring Meeting in San Diego, CA.

Notable awards included:

The award for the largest transaction went to Brad Metzger in Chicago and Craig Zodikoff in San Francisco for a 350,000 SF office lease for a confidential consumer products company. The largest project management assignment award was given to Jeff Molitor from the Orange County office for a 1,150,000 SF tenant fit-up project.

The Most Creative Transaction award was given to the CF Industries Team comprised of Brad Metzger, Liz Roberts, Sheila Matuscak, Chad Bermingham, Robert Wheeler, all in the Chicago office, for a $40 million sale of four properties in the US.

Additional awards were given for the following:

Greatest Collaboration: United Space Alliance team comprised of David Price (Houston); Patrick Denney (Alabama); Sarah Castor (Orlando); and Bill Baldwin, Phillip Infelise, and Rachel Ngola (Denver)
Rookie of the Year for Project Management: Matt Newstrom, Portland
Rookie of the Year for Transaction Management: Dan Klueger, Washington, D.C.
Recognition for Success in Exporting International Business: Marcus Rayner, New York
Significant Contributions in Servicing Corporate Accounts: William Tidwell, Washington, D.C.
Recognition for Exporting Business within Cresa: Matthew Miller, Los Angeles
Recognition for Exporting Business within Cresa: Boston office
Quality Service, Transaction Management: Washington, D.C., Boston, Toronto, St. Louis, and Los Angeles offices
Quality Service, Project Management: Washington, D.C., Toronto, St. Louis, Orange County, and Denver offices
William W. Goade First Citizen Award: Gene Sachs, Washington, D.C.

Cresa Adds Office in Albany

May 23, 2011

Cresa announced today that Conley Associates, Albany’s sole tenants-only commercial real estate services company, has joined Cresa and will now be known by that name.

”We are pleased to welcome Conley Associates to the Cresa organization,” said Bill Goade, CEO of Cresa. “They will allow us to provide client service in an important region, and their focus on tenants is consistent with our philosophy,” he added.

Conley Associates, founded in 1994 as a traditional commercial real estate services firm, started representing tenants exclusively in 2004. Its “tenants only” promise is familiar throughout New York’s Capital Region, and aligns with Cresa’ exclusive tenant representation business model.

Managing Director Tim Conley said “this partnership allows us to offer the best of both worlds — the personal service that our clients have come to rely on and the resources of an outstanding, established international leader in the tenant representation marketplace.” He added “Conley Associates and Cresa have done business together in the past, and we’re familiar with each other’s practices and reputation. We’re pleased to be a part of such an excellent, well-respected team, and proud that we were asked to join forces.”

Nineteen Cresa Offices Honored as Top Brokerage Firms by CoStar Group

May 16, 2011

CoStar Group recently honored 19 Cresa offices with Top Brokerage Firm Awards. The annual awards recognize the “best of the best” in commercial real estate brokerage by spotlighting the U.S. firms that closed the highest transaction volume in commercial property sales or leases in 2009. In order to be distinguished for the Top Brokerage Firm Award, Cresa was measured against commercial real estate brokerage firms active in their regions by CoStar Group, the largest, independent research organization in commercial real estate. In addition, 15 Cresa advisors were recognized as Top Brokers in their respective markets.

Cresa Sponsors Volunteer Event at Company Annual Meeting

May 9, 2011

On Thursday, April 28, Cresa sponsored and led hands-on art activities at The New Children’s Museum in San Diego. The event, called “Morning Madness,” kicked off the company’s annual Spring Meeting, and more than 30 employees volunteered their time. Cresa also provided resources needed by the museum to expand their hands-on art project offerings throughout the year. Volunteer San Diego coordinated the event.

Cresa LLC Forges Alliance with Savills

May 4, 2011

Cresa LLC, North America’s largest tenant representation firm, announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance with international real estate advisor Savills, an arrangement that will allow Cresa and Savills the ability to provide service to international clients in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Savills plc is a global real estate services provider listed on the London Stock Exchange. The firm has an international network of more than 200 offices in 40 countries and offers a broad range of specialist advisory, management and transactional services to clients all over the world. Savills has ranked number one in the real estate sector in the UK for eleven years, in a turnover survey by trade publication Estates Gazette and ranks fourth in the European and Global categories.

Cresa comprises over 55 offices across North America with over 750 employees. Headquartered in Boston, it was formed in 1993 when leading regional tenant representation firms joined forces. Together, Savills and Cresa will have a global alliance of over 250 offices and 22,350 employees.

“This alliance will allow us to provide client service seamlessly across global markets,” said Bill Goade, CEO, Cresa. “North American clients continue to expand into Asia Pacific and Europe, and Savills extensive platform of offices and expertise in these markets will provide significant benefits for our clients.

Jeremy Helsby, CEO of Savills plc says: “Increasingly our international occupier clients are wishing to diversify and expand their operations as global markets improve. This new strategic alliance with Cresa will now enable us to better service the needs of these clients as they expand into new markets. In particular it will give Cresa' clients access to our very strong Asian business where we are seeing an increased demand for space from US and European occupiers from all sectors including corporate, professional and industrial. We are continuing to expand our global tenant representation platform both in Europe and Asia Pacific to better service the needs of our growing client base.”

Cresa Sponsors CoreNet Global Summit in Chicago

May 2, 2011

Cresa is sponsoring the CoreNet Global Summit now going on in Chicago through May 3rd. The Summit, titled “Social Dynamics: Growing Cities, Evolving Workstyles and Global Influences,” will delve into how significant global changes in how we work, how we interact, and how our cultures are changing are greatly impacting corporate real estate, now and into the future. If you are attending, please stop by Cresa’ booth #619 while you’re there. Cresa, a Silver Strategic Partner, will also be participating in the CoreNet Global Summit in Atlanta November 6-8 as well as numerous Discovery Forums throughout the year.

John Warburton Awarded Broker of the Year by J.G. Petrucci Company

April 25, 2011

John Warburton, senior vice president in our Princeton office, was awarded Broker of the Year in 2010 by J.G. Petrucci Company, a regional developer and landlord with property in Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. John completed a complex lease transaction on behalf of Daniels Sharpsmart, Inc. that involved simultaneously coordinating the acquisition and purchase of the property by Petrucci. The transaction was an exceptional facilities solution for the client and a strong addition to the Petrucci property portfolio.

Cresa Named One of National Real Estate Investor's Top Brokerage Firms

April 18, 2011

This month’s edition of National Real Estate Investor (NREI) features Cresa as number 14 on the list of the Top 25 Brokerages, an increase from last year’s ranking of 17th. The ranking is based on responses to NREI’s Top Brokerage survey, which was conducted in February and March of 2010. The surveyed firms were asked to provide the top dollar value of leasing transactions and investment sales globally in 2010 with the combined totals being used to determine each company’s rank. Click here to see the full list.

Giannone

Cresa in New Jersey Lures Cushman & Wakefield Senior Team

April 11, 2011

Cresa today announced that two senior-level executives from Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) have joined Cresa as Managing Principals. Thomas V. Giannone and Ronald J. Ganter, with over 35 and 27 years of commercial real estate experience, respectively, will be based in the firm’s Paramus, NJ, office.

Both Giannone and Ganter most recently served as Senior Directors of C&W’s Global Life Sciences Practice based in East Rutherford, NJ. Having focused on tenant representation and corporate services throughout their careers, Giannone and Ganter will continue to work with service firms and companies in high-tech and other industries. Prior to Cushman & Wakefield, the two professionals held senior management positions at the New Jersey office of Studley, Inc. From 1993 – 2003, Giannone served as Studley’s Senior Vice President & Branch Manager. From 1997 – 2005, Ganter served as Studley’s Corporate Managing Director.

Ganter

Serving clients such as Actavis, AstraZeneca, Bausch & Lomb, Purdue Pharma, Princeton Financial Systems, Antenna Software, and State Street Bank at C&W and Studley, the combined gross value of Giannone’s and Ganter’s transactions is in excess of $800 million.
”What most attracted us to Cresa is that they devote 100% of their attention and resources to serving the best interests of tenants, with no divided loyalty toward landlords,” said Giannone. “We were looking for a progressive culture with a partnership model, broadly held equity, and no debt. We are excited to become Equity Partners and help to further the company’s expansion.”

“We see this as an excellent fit for us at Cresa,” said Ganter. “We enjoy the collaborative nature of the business and are excited about working together to expand the firm’s footprint in New Jersey and beyond.”

Cresa' Tim Myllykangas Speaks at CFO Rising Conference

April 4, 2011

Tim Myllykangas, principal, was a featured speaker at the 2011 CFO Rising Conference and Expo held March 13-16 in Orlando, FL. The annual conference, which focused on “New Perspectives in Finance,” featured some of the world’s most influential Chief Financial Officers, who offered insights and solutions to the challenges faced by businesses today. Myllykangas founded and manages Cresa' national Workforce & Location Planning (W&LP) practice.

Myllykangas presented the workshop “Stay or Go? Corporate Location Planning.” The well-attended session educated attendees about the variables that drive corporate location. He identified the significant savings that can be realized when workforce and other performance benchmarks of an existing portfolio are measured and aligned with the industry. Specific topics covered by Myllykangas included the importance of workforce recruitment and retention of talent as a location driver, workforce footprint optimization, portfolio consolidations and expansions, and a case study on portfolio performance and consolidation savings opportunities for a technology company.

Addressing the overall importance of W&LP as a critical first step in real estate planning, Myllykangas generated considerable interest among the participants, most of whom had not been familiar with W&LP before the presentation.

For more details about Workforce & Location Planning, visit the W&LP section of our website.

Do Sustainable Real Estate Practices Cost More?

March 28, 2011

Whether renovating current space or building something new, there is a mythology about the cost of sustainable real estate practices that should be put to rest. They myth is that sustainable real estate practices are more expensive than traditional approaches to design and construction. Since this is causing more harm than good in the market, it’s time to shed light on the truth.

Sustainable real estate practices are not necessarily more expensive. Generalizing about the cost of incorporating sustainable real estate practices can lead to misconceptions about the financial toll of “greening” real estate. The key is understanding what exactly is being compared.

Learn more from Cresa’ Mike Tobin, director of sustainability, and George Boyadjis, executive director, corporate real estate services, here.

Four Advisors Receive Top Commercial Real Estate Pro Designation

March 21, 2011

Gianni LaBarba, Senior Vice President, Greg Langston, Managing Principal, Terry Quinn, Principal, and Brian Whittington, Principal, all received the designation of Top Commercial Real Estate Pro in Dallas-Fort Worth in the Office Tenant Rep category from the D CEO. They were recognized for generating the most revenue for their office in 2010.

David Prevé Receives South Florida Movers and Shakers Award

March 14, 2011

Congratulations to David Prevé, founding principal of Cresa Miami, who was recently recognized by Business Leader Media as one of South Florida’s Movers and Shakers for 2010. The award is given to dynamic leaders who outstandingly perform in their respective companies, contribute to their success, and make a difference in the business community.

Cresa Recognized as One of The Lipsey Company's Top Commercial Real Estate Brands

March 7, 2011

Each year, The Lipsey Company, a training and consulting firm that focuses on the commercial real estate industry, conducts its Commercial Real Estate Top Brands Survey. More than 50,000 practitioners and industry leaders were surveyed and interviewed, and Cresa ranked ninth out of twenty-five corporate real estate brands. Click here to see the full results.

Cresa Teams Up with ACA Research Group to Help Companies Select Locations in Asia Pacific

March 2, 2011

Cresa has entered into an agreement with ACA Research Group to strengthen the capabilities of its Workforce & Location Planning practice, which will help companies in the United States research and select locations in the Asia Pacific region.

According to Tim Myllykangas, principal at Cresa, it was critical for his firm to partner with a group that has “the greatest depth and breadth of research” in advising companies on where best to set up operations in the APAC region. “Whether companies are looking to expand with a new contact center or regional office, consolidate operations, or relocate their facilities, they need to study important variables such as workforce quality, skills, supply, competition, costs, infrastructure, and incentives,” said Myllykangas, who founded and manages Cresa’ global Workforce & Location Planning practice.

ACA Research, which is affiliated with callcentres.net, is based in Sydney, Australia, with regional offices in Singapore and Malaysia. The ACA Research team includes research analysts, workforce planning experts, and field representatives.

“ACA Research is known as the leading authority on site selection research in the Asia Pacific. Our partnership with them presents a win-win situation for the two firms and our clients,” said Bill Goade, CEO of Cresa.

David Reinhart Receives Portland Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Award

February 28, 2011

Congratulations to David Reinhart, managing principal of Cresa Portland, who was a recent recipient of the Portland Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award for 2011. These awards recognize 40 young business stars in the Portland area under the age of 40. Editors choose the winners annually from hundreds of nominees.

Cresa Connection Now Available

February 21, 2011

The New Year brings news of increased velocity in some markets, but the real estate recovery generally remains sluggish. In what is still predominately a tenant’s market, companies have opportunities not only to use their leverage to negotiate great deals but also to find innovative and economical workplace solutions.

The theme of this edition of Connection is workplace strategies that optimize office space, with an overview of this topic on the front page, followed by related page-three focuses in TenantTips, Strategies that Save, and ClientCorner (which spotlights our work for Skype). On page two, we present a 2011 forecast in MarketTrends, and GoingGreen addresses sustainability (another important advisory service) and corporate responsibility.

Read more about these topics and articles from previous Connection newsletters here: http://www.Cresa.com/news/newsletters.asp.

Cresa Philadelphia Celebrates 15th Anniversary

February 14, 2011

Cresa’ Philadelphia office celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Started in 1996 as Alliance Group International, the office joined the Cresa organization in 1998. The office has realized consistent, year-over-year growth and now has 20 employees supporting the tri-state markets of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Congratulations to our Philadelphia office for 15 successful years!

Calgary Office Sponsors K2 Race Series for 2011 Ski Season

February 7, 2011

We would like to recognize our Calgary office for its continued sponsorship of the K2 Race Series, a ski racing program for 13- and 14-year-olds. The program is run by Alberta Alpine and supports young competitors learning key athletic, team-building, and leadership skills across the province of Alberta. As part of the sponsorship, Cresa provides all of the equipment for the ski club's host races. The Cresa K2 Race Series kicked off in early January and will continue throughout the 2011 ski season.

"We've elected to renew our support for two more seasons based on the success of the inaugural season," said Damien Mills, Principal, Cresa Calgary. "The feedback and appreciation we received for stepping up to support amateur athletics in tough economic times has been very positive, and we're pleased to support the ongoing commitment to sport in Alberta."

Bethesda Office Raises More Than $10,000 for DC Charities

January 31, 2011

The Bethesda office realized that it could make a bigger impact on the community by joining forces to support charitable causes. They created a volunteer committee, comprised of Andy Corno, Chris Finley, Aaron Berkey, Deniz Yener, Paul Ehrenreich, Peter Gottesman, and Samuel Buckner, to manage the process of researching organizations and spearheading fund-raising efforts. The office wanted to focus on the core values of education, youth, and underprivileged families, and it worked with The Community Foundation--which helps individuals, families, and corporations achieve their goals for charitable giving--to set up a fund and identify appropriate organizations to consider. After an interview and selection process, they chose two organizations to support: DC Scores and College Tracks. In the end, the office raised more than $10,000 for the fund and $5,000 for each deserving organization, thanks to the participation of 100% of their employees and matching contributions from the office. The volunteer committee plans on expanding its efforts in 2011 to include happy hour and golf tournament fund-raisers with clients and to continue encouraging employees to donate and volunteer their time.

Marcus Rayner Selected as President of CoreNet Global’s New York City Chapter

January 24, 2011

Congratulations to Marcus Rayner, Principal in our New York office, for recently being selected as the new President of CoreNet Global’s New York City chapter. CoreNet Global is the world's leading professional association for corporate real estate (CRE) and workplace executives, service providers, and economic developers with more than 55 chapters worldwide. Marcus previously served as Vice President & Secretary of the NYC chapter, which is CoreNet’s largest and most active chapter with more than 650 members. The chapter is noted for its extensive, progressive programs and innovation, producing approximately 50 events annually.

Cresa Tenant Advisory Platform Lures Florida’s Top-Producing Corporate Real Estate Team

January 17, 2011

Cresa recently announced that a top real estate advisory team has joined Cresa Miami. Alan Kleber and John Marshall will join as Principals, along with Matthew Cheezem as Senior Advisor and Alexia Koeppel as Corporate Services Associate. Alongside the Miami office’s Founding Partners—David Prevé, Barbara Liberatore Black, Charles Barton, and Matthew Goodman—the team will be charged with expanding and involved with managing Cresa’ footprint throughout Florida. The addition of this team is expected to increase the firm’s revenue in Florida by more than 50 percent within the first two years. Formerly the top-producing corporate advisory team at Cushman & Wakefield, Florida, this move reflects a growing trend of experienced professionals being attracted to highly focused professional services firms that specialize in specific disciplines within the broader commercial real estate industry.

According to David Prevé, Founding Principal, Cresa, the team’s success in advising the client/tenant with portfolio management, workplace strategy, and single real estate transactions such as leases, economic and non-economic lease recasts, terminations, build to suits, municipal and state incentives, and purchases and sales will be further enhanced within the Cresa platform. The addition of Kleber, Marshall, Cheezem, and Koeppel enables Cresa to continue to capture the tenant advisory market share of top-tier global clientele.

"We have had a healthy competition coupled with a high degree of respect for this team for some time. To unite with what is widely regarded as the area’s foremost practitioners in the tenant advisory discipline will be extremely impactful on the market and will further elevate our firm to the dominant position for tenant advisory services in Florida," stated Prevé.

“This distinctive merger of talent for South Florida will provide us with the ability to harness our collective experience and knowledge to the benefit of our respective clients,” said Kleber. “It was vital for us to work within a progressive culture with a partnership model, broadly held equity, and no debt. We are excited to become Principals within this company and play an integral role in the future direction of the company’s growth.”

Kim Ford Confirmed as President of New CoreNet Global Chapter in Pittsburgh

January 10, 2011

Cresa’ Managing Principal Kim Ford was recently confirmed as the President of the new Pittsburgh chapter of CoreNet Global. CoreNet Global is the world's leading professional association for corporate real estate (CRE) and workplace executives, service providers, and economic developers with more than 55 chapters worldwide. The new Pittsburgh chapter will serve all of western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Additionally, Cresa’ Senior Advisor Dani Kazienko has been selected as one of the seven board members.

"We see a growing need for corporate real estate strategizing and leadership development in the region,” says Ford. “CoreNet Global has an excellent global platform with cutting-edge research, education, and channels of opportunity. Pittsburgh is home to many large corporations and corporate real estate executives that can significantly benefit from a local chapter."

To learn more about the chapter or to inquire about membership, please visit the Pittsburgh chapter’s website.

Barbara Liberatore Black Honored with Networking Deal of the Year Award from CREW-Miami

January 3, 2011

Barbara Liberatore Black, founding principal of our Miami office, was recently honored with the 2010 Networking Deal of the Year Award from the Miami chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW). The mission of CREW is to advance the success of women in commercial real estate by achieving parity in opportunity, influence, and power. Each year, CREW presents a series of awards to recognize its members who have made a significant impact on the organization and the industry as a whole. Black was one of five members who received an award in the Networking Deal of the Year Transaction Value Below $2M category.