January – Briefs/People

Gibson to Succeed Pelusi as CEO of HFF; Thornton Named President

John Pelusi Jr. will retire as executive managing director & managing member of HFF on April 1, with his partners assuming the roles. Veteran HFF executive Mark Gibson will succeed Pelusi as the firm’s CEO, while Joe Thornton will take his place as managing member of the company’s two operating partnerships, HFF L.P. and HFF Securities L.P., as well as assuming the title of president.

Pelusi has served in those roles since HFF Inc.’s IPO in 2007. He will continue to work at the company as a transaction professional.

Blanca Names Kohl Director of Finance and Operations

Miami-based brokerage and advisory firm Blanca Commercial Real Estate has named Maura Kohl as its new director of finance and operations. Kohl brings more than 20 years of experience in finance, asset management, disposition and market research to Blanca. Her resume is full of high-caliber companies, including Lynd Asset Management, Jones Lang LaSalle Inc., Related Cos., Vornado Realty Trust, Time Warner Inc. and Forest City Ratner. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing accounting and operational functions, while also spearheading research, lease analysis and acquisition analysis and providing due diligence support for clients.

CBRE Buys CB Richard Ellis Carmody to Expand Reach in Southeast

In a move to expand its reach in the Southeast, CBRE Group Inc. has acquired CB Richard Ellis Carmody, a Charleston, S.C.-based CRE services firm that has been a CBRE affiliate since 1997. Financial terms were not disclosed. Founded by Brian and Charles Carmody in 1992 and serving South Carolina’s coastal markets, Carmody today has 23 personnel handling leasing, investment sales, property management (of nearly 4 million square feet), research and consulting.

DTZ Appoints Quick as Global Chief Executive for Corporate Services

Global property services firm DTZ has appointed Steven Quick as chief executive of global corporate services. He will join the firm’s global headquarters in Chicago from CBRE Group Inc., where he was executive managing director of global corporate services. Prior to that, he held executive leadership positions at Johnson Controls. Quick is a licensed CPA and will work to oversee DTZ’s global platform servicing occupier clients that include major corporations, institutions and government agencies.

O’Connor Capital Welcomes Co-Founder Rufrano Back as CEO

As it turns out, you can go home again. Glenn Rufrano, former CEO of Cushman & Wakefield Inc., has returned to real estate investment and management firm O’Connor Capital Partners as chairman & CEO. The move happens 13 years after leaving his role as president & COO of the company. It’s a home that Rufrano helped build; he co-founded O’Connor in its original incarnation as The O’Connor Group in 1983. Rufrano takes on the mantle last officially held by co-founder Jerry O’Connor, who passed away in 2010. Bill O’Connor had been steering the ship since then, doing double duty in his capacity as president & COO.

Scandalios Named Co-Head of HFF’s NYC Office

HFF has named senior managing director Andrew Scandalios as head of the firm’s local New York City investment sales team. He will also assume the role of office head alongside senior managing director Michael Tepedino. Scandalios has more than 23 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. Since joining HFF in 2001, he has closed more than $19 billion in commercial real estate sales across the multi-housing, office, retail, hotel, land and industrial sectors in the New York City area.

Avison Young Expands in Metro DC with McShea Acquisition

Toronto-headquartered Avison Young’s aggressive, methodical growth plan continues as the commercial real estate services firm increases its footprint in metropolitan Washington, D.C., with the acquisition of McShea & Co. The purchase of the Gaithersburg, Md.-based McShea marks the fourth time in the last few years that Avison Young has brought a successful Washington-area firm into the fold. The merger transpired as McShea, one of the largest privately held real estate services firms in suburban Maryland, celebrated its 30th year. With the McShea acquisition, Avison Young’s leasing practice and portfolio of properties under management in Greater Washington grow to 30 million square feet and 10 million square feet, respectively, and its staff in the area increases to more than 250.

Lee & Associates Taps Rinkov

Jeffrey Rinkov of Lee & Associates will move on from his position as president of the Central Los Angeles location to run the whole show as the newly named interim president & chairman of the board. He is replacing his mentor, Ed Indvik, who filled those roles as the company’s first CEO since 2008. Rinkov will be doing double duty in his new situation: Not only will he report to Lee’s board of directors and national presidents to carry out the firm’s overall objectives but he will also continue to run the offices in the cities of Commerce and Industry.