May – Briefs/People

Avison Young Launches European Presence

While Canadian real estate services firm Avison Young has been hungrily expanding across the U.S. over the last couple of years, the Toronto-based firm has hit a new milestone with its first European office. The move comes with the acquisition of London-based commercial real estate services firm Haywards L.L.P. The purchase brings 20 new employees to Avison Young, which has grown from 11 to 56 offices in the past five years—and from 300 to more than 1,500 professionals across Canada, the U.S. and now Europe. Haywards partners Nick Cook, Tony Oxford, Iain Rackley and Sarah Cook become principals of Avison Young.

Perkowitz Joins KTGY’s Retail/Commercial Division as Principal

Retail design leader Simon Perkowitz has joined KTGY Group Inc. as a principal in the firm’s retail/commercial division. Perkowitz was a founding principal at Perkowitz + Ruth Architects in 1979, and has since developed a portfolio of award-winning retail and mixed-use projects. Though he will be based in KTGY’s Irvine office, Perkowitz is a licensed architect in 20 states and a licensed professional engineer in the state of California.

LaSalle Group Names Jasmon First COO

National memory-care owner and operator The LaSalle Group Inc. has appointed Joseph Jasmon as the company’s first COO. Given the company’s recent growth spurt, it makes sense to create this new position that will oversee business expansion and research, as well as develop new business opportunities. Jasmon joins the firm from American Healthcare Management Group, where he served as managing partner. Additional leadership stints with Caritas Christi Healthcare System, Memorial Health System and Quorum Health Resources round out Jasmon’s more than 25 years of experience. The Texas-based company currently has 35 Autumn Leaves memory care communities open or under construction across the country.

Daly Joins Jonathan Rose Cos. as COO

Development, investment and management firm Jonathan Rose Cos. has named Michael Daly as COO. His chief tasks will be managing operations and expanding and diversifying the company’s nationwide portfolio. Jonathan Rose Cos. is currently undergoing a period of rapid growth, and Daly has the experience needed to help move that forward. He most recently served as president of Forest City Enterprises’ affiliate Mesa del Sol, overseeing the master plan and development of a 9,000-acre mixed-use New Urbanism project in Albuquerque that will include 38,000 homes and 18 million square feet of commercial space.

American Campus Communities’ COO Dowell to Retire

The country’s largest owner, manager and developer of student housing properties will undergo some top-level changes when Greg Dowell, the REIT’s senior executive vice president & COO, retires on Sept. 30. American Campus Communities intends to have Jennifer Beese, executive vice president of operations and leasing, and Jim Hopke, executive vice president of asset management, continue to provide strategic and executive oversight in each of their areas. Both will report to CEO Bill Bayless. Jim Sholders, senior vice president of operations, will continue to oversee day-to-day property operations, and will continue to report to Beese.

Resciniti Promoted to CFO at Pennrose Management Co.

Pennrose Management Co. has promoted Cristi Resciniti to CFO. This appointment comes just one year after she joined the firm as controller. The new title comes with the duties of providing leadership to all members of the financial team and steering the vision for the company’s financial growth. Backed by more than 20 years of experience in financial reporting and leadership, Resciniti is certainly up to the task. She joins Pennrose after 14 years in public accounting with Asher & Co. and BDO USA.

Cornerstone Picks Itzel for President

Cornerstone Realty Group Inc. is looking to acquire and breathe new life into under-valued assets and has picked John Itzel for the job. Appointed as president, Itzel will focus on value-added real estate opportunities, as well as the purchase and restructuring of tenant-in-common investments. He brings more than 35 years of experience to the post. Prior to joining Cornerstone, Itzel was on the board of directors for American Spectrum Realty Inc., was a partner at Hyatt Development and was also senior vice president of the major loan division with American Savings.

ARC NYRR Appoints Prez, CFO/COO

American Realty Capital New York Recovery REIT Inc., which is scheduled to go public later this year, has promoted Michael Happel to president and appointed Gregory Sullivan as its new CFO & COO. Since the company’s formation in 2009, Happel has served as its executive vice president & chief investment officer. He has more than 20 years of experience successfully investing in real estate, including office, retail, multi-family, industrial and hotel properties, as well as real estate companies. Previously, Happel worked at Morgan Stanley & Co., specializing in real estate and as co-head of acquisitions for the Morgan Stanley Real Estate Funds. While at MSREF, he was involved in acquiring more than $10 billion worth of real estate and related assets for MSREF I and MSREF II.