Monday, January 20, 2020

Ware Malcomb Announces Executive Leadership Transitions


Lawrence R. Armstrong

Irvine, CA – Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm, announced Lawrence R. Armstrong, who has served as CEO for 28 years, has elected to transition into the new role of Chairman of Ware Malcomb.

Kenneth Wink, a 25-year veteran of Ware Malcomb and currently Executive Vice President, has been promoted to CEO, and Jay Todisco, currently Executive Vice President who has been with the firm for 21 years, will assume the role of President.

Kenneth Wink
Ware Malcomb also announced the promotion of Matt Brady from Regional Vice President to Executive Vice President, and Tobin Sloane from Chief Financial Officer to EVP/CFO. 
 All executive leadership changes are effective January 1, 2020. Armstrong, Wink, Todisco, Brady and Sloane will also continue to comprise the Ware Malcomb Board of Directors. 
 “It has been the honor of a lifetime to have the opportunity to lead this incredible firm and its team of talented professionals for the past 28 years,” said Armstrong.

 “Together, we have grown Ware Malcomb from our foundation as a strong regional operation to a leading international design firm with a future that has never been brighter.
"As I hand over responsibility for day-to-day operations to the capable hands of our new leadership team, including CEO Ken Wink and President Jay Todisco, I look forward to continuing to serve the firm in my new role as Chairman.

Jay Todisco
"Together with the additional contributions of seasoned executive team members Matt Brady and Tobin Sloane, I know Ware Malcomb is poised for continued growth and success in this new decade, and beyond.”
“I want to thank Larry for his incredible leadership of Ware Malcomb spanning three decades,” said Wink.

“I share his excitement for the future of Ware Malcomb and am honored to take on the role of CEO to implement a strategic vision for the ongoing expansion of the scope and reach of our services, the professional development of our team members, and the success of our clients.”  

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with Larry, Ken and the entire team to accelerate Ware Malcomb’s business development and growth in the years to come,” said Todisco.

Matt Brady
 “Ours is a firm committed to cultivating long-term relationships with our team members, partners and clients alike, all while creating industry-leading design that puts Ware Malcomb at the forefront of commercial real estate.”


Lawrence R. Armstrong – Chairman
Armstrong is transitioning from the role of CEO to Chairman of Ware Malcomb, as of January 1, 2020. 

Under his leadership as CEO for the past 28 years, Ware Malcomb has grown to become a leading international design firm with 25 offices in four countries. 

Armstrong’s strategic, visionary approach to the firm’s management and growth, as well as his commitment to fiscal discipline, has laid a strong foundation for future success. In his new role as Chairman, Armstrong will lead the Board of Directors for Ware Malcomb.

Kenneth Wink – CEO
Wink has been promoted from Executive Vice President to CEO. With Ware Malcomb for over 25 years, Wink has consistently demonstrated excellence in every challenge and opportunity he has been given during his tenure with the firm. He has been instrumental in leading the growth of Ware Malcomb, including developing and overseeing operations companywide. He has also coached and mentored key leaders across the firm. As CEO, Wink will lead the overall company vision, growth and management of Ware Malcomb.
Jay Todisco – President
Todisco has been promoted from Executive Vice President to President. With the firm for over 21 years, Todisco’s leadership has significantly contributed to the firm’s continued growth, and to the execution of numerous strategic and innovative initiatives companywide. 

As President, Todisco will oversee the overall growth and business development for Ware Malcomb, with a focus on exceptional client service and relationship management. 

An accomplished architect, Todisco is also highly engaged with Ware Malcomb’s Design Studio and oversees all aspects of design from the executive level.
Matt Brady – Executive Vice President
Brady has been promoted from Regional Vice President to Executive Vice President. With Ware Malcomb for over 20 years, Brady has led the expansion of firm services into multiple new markets in the U.S., as well as Panama and Mexico. 

He has been directly responsible for the launch of the firm’s San Diego, Phoenix and Atlanta offices, while also taking on many corporate responsibilities and leading select companywide initiatives. As Executive Vice President, Brady will oversee many corporate, growth and operations initiatives for the firm.
Tobin Sloane – EVP/CFO

Tobin Sloane 
Ware Malcomb Chief Financial Officer Tobin Sloane has been promoted to the additional role of Executive Vice President and CFO. 

With Ware Malcomb for over 15 years, Sloane’s leadership has helped ensure the financial health of the firm while facilitating strong growth. 

He will continue to remain a critical member of the executive team, while leading the financial functions of the firm and directing the accounting, administration, contracts, legal and human resources operations.





About Ware Malcomb (waremalcomb.com)

Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is an international design firm providing planning, architecture, interior design, branding, civil engineering and building measurement services to commercial real estate and corporate clients. 

With office locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Panama, the firm specializes in the design of commercial office, corporate, industrial, science & technology, healthcare, retail, auto, public/educational facilities and renovation projects. 

Ware Malcomb is recognized as an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private company and a Hot Firm and Best Firm to Work For by Zweig Group. The firm is also ranked among the top 15 architecture/engineering firms in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms and the top 30 interior design firms in Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Giants. 

CONTACTS:

Rachel Devany
VP Public Relations
KCOMM for Ware Malcomb

Maria Rodgers
 Public Relations Manager, 949.660.9128

Maureen Bissonnette
 Associate Principal, Marketing
 949.660.9128

Ware Malcomb Irvine
10 Edelman
Irvine, CA 92618
p. 949.660.9128

New Castle Hotels & Resorts' Guido Kerpel Promoted to Chief Operating Officer


Guido Kerpel 

Shelton, CT  - - Jeremy Buffam and Julian Buffam, partners at New Castle Hotels and Resorts, announced the appointment of Guido Kerpel as chief operating officer.  Previously, Kerpel was the company’s vice president of operations.

Kerpel joined New Castle in1999 as the general manager of the Westin Nova Scotian before assuming broader responsibilities for development and operations of the company’s Canadian portfolio including the northeastern U.S.  

Jeremy Buffam
 Under Kerpel’s leadership, New Castle expanded its Canadian presence from one hotel to eight, including the recently opened Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott at Dartmouth Crossing in Nova Scotia.  New Castle is regularly named one of the leading employers and best places to work in Atlantic Canada.

“Guido’s operational expertise, coupled with his eye for identifying sound development opportunities and his support of New Castle’s culture make him the ideal candidate to lead us into the next decade,” said Jeremy Buffam.

Julian Buffam
“He is a can-do, collaborative leader who has earned the respect of his team, the admiration of our owners and investors and the loyalty of clients in every market,” added Julian Buffam.  

A native of the Netherlands, Kerpel speaks English, Dutch, French and German and is a graduate of the prestigious Hotel School in The Hague.  Career opportunities brought him to Canada in 1988 as the assistant food and beverage manager of the Westin Prince in Toronto.  

From there he transitioned to hotel operations at a 450-room Holiday Inn on King in Toronto and the Delta Ottawa Hotels and Suites.  Immediately prior to joining New Castle, Kerpel served Delta West Coast Operations as it completed its integration with Fairmont Hotels.

“I’m looking forward to expanding on New Castle’s 40-year legacy as a respected owner/operator,” said Kerpel.  “My mentors, company founder David Buffam and longtime president Gerry Chase, established a rock-solid foundation supported by a culture that is deeply felt and unwavering.  

David Buffam 
"With this approach, and our ongoing commitment to innovative data and technology platforms, we are well positioned for the next era of growth and opportunity with our partners and associates.

“Our development pipeline is flowing, and our portfolio continues to drive attractive returns for our investors.  

"Many of our hotels lead their markets and this is an ideal time in our company’s history for renewed operational leadership and focus."

  "I look forward to supporting the great work being done by our team,” he added.

Kerpel is a past Director of the 76 Highlanders Regiment at Citadel Hill, and a current board member of B4 CheckIn, a hospitality technology company.  From 2011 to 2019, Kerpel served the Kingdom of The Netherlands as Honorary Consul in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland/Labrador.

Gerry Chase

New Castle Hotels & Resorts is a fully integrated, industry-recognized hospitality investment, development and management company that has built its reputation executing complex operational turnarounds, new-build developments and conversions, including historic redevelopments. 

New Castle consistently ranks among the top 100 US hotel management and development companies and is routinely recognized as a top employer in Canada.  The company has earned preferred status and works in close partnership with most of the industry’s leading brands.

 CONTACT:

Lauralee Dobbins
President
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856-979-8929
Member SATW
2017 Pepperpot Award Winner

Blackton to Provide High-End Flooring for Reunion ’s New Golfing Community Eagle Trace Townhomes in Kissimmee, FL



Eagle Trace being developed in the exclusive Reunion resort community in Kissimmee, FL

Micky Blackton
Kissimmee, FL and Orlando, FL --- Blackton, Inc., an Orlando-based supplier for the home building industry, was awarded a contract worth an estimated $1.2 million to provide high-end flooring for new homes at Eagle Trace being developed in the exclusive Reunion resort community in Kissimmee.

Micky Blackton, chief executive officer of the family-owned firm, said the contract includes supply of all flooring materials for 60 two-story townhomes being built by Encore Capital Management along the Jack Nicklaus golf course fairways. 

Blackton will start installing the high end flooring by February.   The materials will enhance the classic quality and spacious designs of new Eagle Trace townhomes.

Blackton, Inc. a family owned business located on Alden Road near downtown Orlando has been supplying the home building industry from Jacksonville to Tampa for over 60 years.



CONTACTS:

Michael “Micky” Blackton, Chairman, Blackton, Inc. 
407-898-2661 Micky@Blacktoninc.com

 Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 
407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com


Graycor Adds Industry Expert Todd Peters as Project Executive in Phoenix, AZ


Todd Peters 

PHOENIX, AZ – In response to ongoing demand, Graycor Construction Company has hired 27-year industry expert Todd Peters as Project Executive. Based in Graycor’s Southwest Regional Headquarters in Phoenix, Peters will support local project activity and the company’s continued growth in the national industrial buildings market.


“Todd’s broad understanding of the development process makes him a great fit for this role, which includes not only growing the Graycor industrial footprint across the U.S. but also supporting existing clients and prospects in metro Phoenix,” said Todd Ostransky, Graycor Construction Company Vice President of the Southwest Division. 


Todd Ostransky
“In both instances, Todd knows how to translate a client’s vision into an accurate and workable budget, then complete the due diligence needed to move that vision from conception into active construction.”

Prior to Graycor, Peters served in positions ranging from senior manager, chief estimator, project manager and operation manager for well-known and well-respected construction and real estate groups in the Pacific Northwest. 

While in these positions he completed projects within the industrial, office, residential, retail and public works sectors, including assignments for Nike, Dollar Tree, St. Vincent Hospital, Amazon and UPS.

Peters is a retired Navy veteran who served in Panama, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield.




CONTACT:

Stacey Hershauer
focusAZ 
P 480.600.0195



Lincoln Property Co. Adds Afton Trail as Director of Property Management


Afton Trail


PHOENIX, AZ, Jan. 20, 2020 –- Lincoln Property Company (LPC) has hired industry veteran Afton Trail as Director of Property Management for the Desert West region.

 In her new role, Trail directs LPC’s Desert West portfolio of almost 10 million square feet of landmark office, industrial and retail space. She is also charged with identifying and pursuing opportunities to grow the LPC property management brand in the Desert West region states of Arizona, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico.

David Krumwiede
“Our Desert West property management portfolio is very diverse. It requires someone with equally strong industry knowledge to support our tenants and customers with the high-quality solutions they expect from Lincoln,” said Lincoln Property Company Executive Vice President David Krumwiede

“Afton has stepped into this role very successfully. We welcome her to the team and look forward to all she will do to continue our mission of excellence and help grow our property management footprint in the Desert West markets.”

Trail’s career spans almost 40 years in commercial real estate, including past roles in property management, asset management, leasing, acquisitions, dispositions and talent management.

At LPC, she directs a team of more than 18 property management experts who provide service for a host of landmark projects. Among these are The Grand at Papago Park Center, 3131/3133 Camelback, Promenade Corporate Center, Luhrs City Center, Paradise Village Office Park and the ADOA and ADEQ buildings in downtown Phoenix, as well as 5 million square feet of industrial product.

Prior to joining LPC Trail held executive leadership positions with CBRE and Cushman and Wakefield, where she provided oversight to property management teams across multiple markets and directed client care and development programs across all lines of business.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Stacey Hershauer
480.600.0195

Luis Elorza joins NorthMarq in Tampa, FL

Luis Elorza

   TAMPA, FL, Jan. 20, 2020 -- Luis Elorza has joined NorthMarq Investment Sales in Tampa, bringing his vast multifamily investment sales experience in central Florida, the company announced today. 

Jason Nettles

He brings more than 20 years of experience, representing regional and national owners in apartment sales of more than 48,000 units and has executed more than $4.5 billion in commercial real estate transactions ranging from value-add to core assets.

Luis will partner with Investment Sales experts Jason Nettles and Megan Thompson in the Atlanta office and NorthMarq’s industry-leading multifamily debt and equity platform across the United States. 

Megan Thompson 

NorthMarq is one of the nation's largest and most prominent capital markets platforms, including close relationships with Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA/HUD, CMBS lenders, hundreds of local, regional and national banks and more life companies than any other firm in the country. 

NorthMarq is a natural fit for Luis to better align his growing multifamily brokerage business in central Florida, and a significant move to better serve his clients.
CONTACT:



Luis Elorza
Managing Director
T 813.223.5307
C 813.842.9028

Jennifer Lawrence’s Manhattan Penthouse Price Cut Again to $12 Million


Jennifer Lawrence
Photo credit: Compass Realty        Source: www.compass.com


UPPER EAST SIDE, NEW YORK CITY, NY -- Jennifer Lawrence, the Academy Award-winning star of Silver Linings Playbook, The Hunger Games and American Hustle put her stunning New York penthouse in The Laurel up for sale last July and, with a downturn in the Manhattan luxury-condo market, has lowered the original price of $15.45 million to $14.25 million - now down to $12 million.




 Purchased in 2016 for $15.6 million, taking a loss on the property might not faze one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood. Though Lawrence got her big break in New York, she now spends her time in Los Angeles close to the studios.




Lawrence lived the fairytale that so many people fantasize about. As a teenager who was born and raised in Kentucky and acting in plays put on by her church group, it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time when on a 2006 vacation trip to New York with her parents at age 14, she was discovered by a talent scout who arranged an audition.




The audition went so well, they convinced her parents to let her audition in Los Angeles and her star was on the fast track leading quickly to television and film roles.
Fast forward to today at age 29, she has won an Academy Award for Best Actress in Silver Linings Playbook and three Golden Globes, a BAFTA award, seven MTV Movie Awards and six People’s Choice Awards.



 Her unassuming, down-to-earth personality and ability to keep life’s priorities straight in the face of fame, fortune and continuous media attention has made her America’s girl next door - and it doesn’t hurt that her acting roles have been some of the best in Hollywood.
By 2016, Lawrence could afford any living accommodations that suited her fancy and she picked a glamorous duplex penthouse on New York’s Upper East Side at the top of The Laurel, a 30-story condominium.



Aside from its stunning interior and views to die for, its 3,000-square-foot, two-floor outdoor terraces encompass all one could ask for gracious entertaining including an outdoor kitchen, fireplace with pergola, built-in pingpong table and amazing views of the city and Hudson River.


The Laurel Condos, 30 Stories, Upper East Side, New York, NY
The 4,073-square-foot apartment has three bedrooms, five baths and is filled with light through walls of glass. The formal living and dining room is surrounded by stunning city views and the eat-in chef’s kitchen has everything for the serious cook.


Pamela D’Arc 
 The master suite is unusually large and the game room opens to yet another spectacular view. The building’s amenities include a concierge, full-time doorman, gym, pool, sauna, screening room and private storage.
Superstar Jennifer Lawrence is selling her glamorous New York penthouse which she bought in 2016 for $15.6 million. Listed in July 2019 for $15.45 million, it has gone through two price cuts. Now priced at $12 million, the listing agent is Pamela D’Arc of Compass, New York City.
CONTACT:

Genelle C. Brown
Content Manager, Media Division
TopTenRealEstateDeals.com
Phone:  434-480-4504

Twitter:  @toptenrealestat
facebook.com/toptenrealestat