CBRE Goes on Promotion Binge

By Barbra Murray, Contributing Editor

Cal Frese, global group president, CBRE

Los Angeles—No one can accuse CBRE Group Inc. of not promoting from within. The commercial real estate services firm just pushed six executives up the ladder—three of them to newly created positions.

Filling two brand new roles, CBRE has given Cal Frese, CEO of the Americas, the position of Global Group President, Geographies, and tapped COO Mike Lafitte to take on the job of Global Group President, Lines of Business and Client Care.

“Mike and Cal are exceptional leaders who have helped steer the company to strong growth and many key strategic gains,” Bob Sulentic, CEO of CBRE, said in a prepared statement. “Their new responsibilities will enable us to continue to differentiate our services, while advancing the quality of our geographic leadership team and the financial and operational performance of our regions.”

Frese will directly oversee the Americas, EMEA and APAC, focusing on CBRE’s geographic leadership team, as well as the financial and operational performance of its global regions. Lafitte will spearhead the advancement of CBRE’s service lines and supervise the firm’s Client Care initiative. Client Care, Lafitte said in a prepared statement, is one of CBRE’s most important strategic initiatives. The company’s commitment to Client Care is evidenced by the creation of another new position, that of Global Director, Client Care, and the selection of Tony Long to occupy it. Long, who previously guided CBRE’s Asset Services business globally, has also played a major part in Client Care; his new position allows him to expand the role to a full time one.

The promotions don’t stop there. CBRE also elevated Jack Durburg to CEO, the Americas. He takes on his new position after having served as Global President, Advisory & Transaction Services, a job that has now been given to Whitley Collins, who was previously President of CBRE’s Advisory & Transaction Services | Occupier in the Americas. CBRE also promoted Mary Jo Eaton—previously President over CBRE Florida and Latin America—to the position of Global President, Asset Services and Valuation & Advisory Services.

Image courtesy of CBRE & Elizabeth Evans/Weil Gotshal