Griffin Structures, Inc. of Laguna Beach, CA Names Frank Martinez to Executive Vice President and Robert N. Godfrey to Project Manager/Construction Manager

LAGUNA BEACH, CA-- A 25-year real estate and construction industry veteran, Frank Martinez, (top right photo)  was named Executive Vice President at Laguna Beach-based Griffin Structures, Inc., an innovative, award-winning program and construction management organization providing strategic project delivery solutions to public, non-profit, and private sector clients.

As Executive Vice President, Martinez will oversee new business development and work proactively with the firm’s existing public and private sector clients further implementing Griffin’s full service approach to real estate.

“Frank brings an expertise in leading diverse teams as well as strong hands-on strategic planning, business development and project management experience to the Griffin team,” said Roger Torriero, (lower right photo)  President, Griffin Structures, Inc.

“We pride ourselves on building projects that are both financially successful and complement their communities. I’m confident that Frank will play a key role in helping to bring innovative solutions to our public and private sector clients and partners.

A fundamental aspect of Griffin Structures is its ability to deliver projects successfully in the context of community interests and constraints.

“Now more than ever, when you consider the fiscal challenges created by our current economic cycle, our ability to partner with public agencies to help them deliver a great project as well as provide solutions for their funding challenges makes a big difference,” Martinez noted.

Griffin Structures also welcomed Robert N. Godfrey (top left photo) to the role of Project Manager/Construction Manager.

 Godfrey brings eight years of combined experience in construction management and planning, most recently as Project Manager/Engineer for RMS Group. Godfrey holds a bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Contact: Darcie Giacchetto, Spaulding Thompson & Associates, 949.278.6224

Mary Jane Olhasso Named Economic Development Agency Administrator for the County of San Bernardino, CA

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA -- A recognized leader in economic development, Mary Jane Olhasso (top right photo)  has been named to the role of Economic Development Agency Administrator for the County of San Bernardino.

Prior to this position, Olhasso was Director of Economic Development for the City of Ontario, where she worked with city leaders to put policies in place that have generated approximately 4,000 new jobs and close to $135 million in total wages.

As Economic Development Agency Administrator, Olhasso oversees four key County departments encompassing more than 200 employees. The Agency departments include: Redevelopment, Workforce Development, Housing and Community Development and Economic Development.

With 12 years at the post of Director of Economic Development for the City of Ontario and a current position serving on the International Board of Directors for CoreNet Global, one of the most prestigious professional real estate associations, Olhasso brings an extensive knowledge of the Corporate Real Estate and workplace executive to her new role.

Contact:  Darcie Giacchetto, Spaulding Thompson & Associates, 949.278.6224

PCCP, Alberta Development Partners and Walton Street Capital Complete $300M Recapitalization of the Streets at SouthGlenn

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--PCCP, LLC; Alberta Development Partners, LLC and Walton Street Capital, LLC have announced the $300 million recapitalization of all of the indebtedness of The Streets at SouthGlenn (top centered photo) . This recapitalization provides the new venture with significant working capital to build upon the success already achieved at the property.

According to Phil Russick, Principal at PCCP, “The recapitalization of this challenging situation is one of PCCP’s core strengths.

"Over the past six months, we have spent countless hours securing the cooperation of multiple lenders in a bank group to acquire the indebtedness and reinforce the capital structure of this investment.

"We are now looking forward to stabilizing this core irreplaceable property with continuity in strategy and ownership, along with our partners Alberta and Walton Street.” PCCP’s San Francisco team, including Russick, executed and managed The Streets at SouthGlenn transaction.

 Located at Arapahoe Road and University Boulevard, The Streets at SouthGlenn is a high-profile, open-air town square-style retail, entertainment, commercial and residential property located in Centennial, Colo.

A redevelopment of the former SouthGlenn Mall, the Streets at SouthGlenn consists of approximately 580,542 square feet of retail use, 137,010 square feet of office and 202 apartment units.

Along with this recapitalization, the venture announced a 10-year lease with Pearson (NYSE: PSO), the global leader in education, technology and services. Pearson’s eCollege business will occupy three floors totaling 96,027 square feet of space of the Silver LEED certified, five-story Class A office space.

 Pearson’s eCollege is at the forefront of developing innovative, online, personalized learning programs to educational institutions around the globe. The group will occupy in November 2010 bringing 680 employees to The Streets at SouthGlenn.

“This recapitalization will continue to further differentiate The Streets at SouthGlenn as a leading shopping, dining and entertainment destination,” says Don Provost, (middle left photo)  Founding Principal of Alberta Development Partners, LLC.

 “The Streets at SouthGlenn provides a great center for the community and our hard work over the past few months achieving this recapitalization will only enhance that experience as we continue to add tenants to the campus.”

Retail leasing at The Streets at SouthGlenn remains strong including 41,500 square feet of new leased space opening this summer and early fall. The Streets at SouthGlenn will soon welcome University of Phoenix, Snooze – an AM eatery, Shine Boutique, Just Pets, Edible Arrangements, Dairy Queen, Smooch the Pooch – A pet boutique, Pearl Vision and Cheers. In addition, two large restaurants will open their doors with early summer openings in June including Hodson T’s and Cantina Laredo – a gourmet Mexican food eatery.

Contact: Darcie Giacchetto, Spaulding Thompson & Associates, 949.278.6224

CoreNet Global Southern California Chapter Names 2010--2011 Board of Directors

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA--The Southern California chapter of CoreNet Global, the international association of corporate real estate (CRE) professionals and workplace executives,  announced the appointment of its 2010-2011 Board of Directors.

The board is led by Chairman Mike Nuby (top right photo), manager of the Project Management Division of Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Economic Development Services Department.

 He is joined by President Jo-E Immel, (top left photo)  Business Development Associate, Snyder Langston. The Southern California chapter represents the third largest CoreNet Global chapter in the nation.

According to Nuby and Immel, the board will be focused on increasing its role as the voice of the corporate real estate professional in Southern California.

“Leadership remains fundamental to our chapter. We’re committed to being a source of education, networking and career advancement for our industry. We have a full slate of educational programs critical to advancing the educational goals of our members and we’re working to bring together resources to tackle issues impacting today’s workplace,” said Nuby.

Serving on the 2010-2011 Board alongside Nuby and Immel are the following industry professionals:

Immediate Past Chair: Daniel Isenberg, Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Immediate Past President: Frances Pawlak, Herman Miller
Treasurer: Susan Wallace, Deloitte & Touche
Secretary: Dave Wensley, Allen Matkins
VP Sponsorship/Chair Elect: Tommaso Trinchieri, CBS Studios
VP Membership/Pres-Elect: John Clement, VenturePoint
VP Programs: Kelly Reenders, City of Ontario
VP Communications Jessica Spaulding, Spaulding Thompson & Assoc.
VP Los Angeles: Kathleen Neary, Knoll
VP Education: Jennifer Dryden, Northern Trust & Barbara Dunn, Gensler
VP Inland Empire: Simone McFarland, County of San Bernardino
VP Orange County: Jeff Ingham, Jones Lang LaSalle
VP San Diego: Mike Gion, Mobius CRE
VP Mentorship: Scott Steuber, Cushman & Wakefield & Jonathan Whitesides, Corinthian Colleges
VP Special Events Gary Conrad, Howard Building Company &
Brian Denton, Grubb & Ellis
VP Ambassador: Herb Hafter, CB Richard Ellis (bottom right photo)

Mike Nuby, a member of CoreNet Global since 2006, brings to a great deal of experience to his chapter position. In his role at SCE, Nuby’s primary responsibility is to lead the project management team in their efforts to retain and attract industrial/manufacturing companies to SCE’s service territory. Prior to his tenure at SCE, Mike served in the government sector for twenty-seven years in the fields of economic development and redevelopment.

Jo-E Immel, a member of CoreNet Global since 2006, also brings a great deal of background to the chapter. At Snyder Langston, she has direct responsibility for client relations and marketing with more than ten years of experience in the architecture and construction industry.

The Southern California chapter of CoreNet Global is focused on advancing real estate knowledge, connecting people, and promoting personal excellence through programs focused on the needs of its 400 local members. For information about members, programs or sponsorship, contact the chapter office at 714.282.8480 or go to www.sccorenet.org.


Contact: Darcie Giacchetto, Spaulding Thompson & Associates, 949.278.6224

IDI’s Meridian 75 Logistics Center Accepted Into GRAD Sites Program

ATLANTA, GA – IDI’s Meridian 75 Logistics Center, a planned 2.9 million square foot business park, 15 miles north of Macon, Ga. in Monroe County, was recently accepted into the Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development Sites Program (GRAD Sites Program).

The GRAD Sites Program designates a group of properties as ready for industrial development. The Program was developed by Georgia Allies, a public-private partnership founded in 2006 to promote Georgia’s economic development.

The GRAD designation for an industrial site indicates that it has been pre-reviewed, pre-qualified and approved for development by Business Facility Planning Consultants, a third party consultant that works with the state. Currently, only seven sites in the state of Georgia have been approved to receive this designation, including IDI’s Tradeport East Business Center in Savannah.

“For companies with large industrial facility requirements, it can take months or even years for the site to receive zoning approval, entitlements and for infrastructure and grading to be completed,” said Lisa Ward (top right photo) , Vice President of Leasing for IDI’s Atlanta market office.

 “Meridian 75 Logistics Center actually exceeds the requirements of GRAD, in that we have fully graded two pad-sites with at-grade visibility to I-75, which can accommodate in excess of 2 million square feet of facilities.

"This puts IDI’s development cycle at least nine months ahead of other sites that have not made this investment up-front,” continued Ward.

Contacts:

Kim Hardcastle, Jackson Spalding for IDI, 404-214-0693, khardcastle@jacksonspalding.com
Charlotte Marie DuPre, Jackson Spalding for IDI, 404-214-3555, cdupre@jacksonspalding.com