Shaw Mechanical Vice President Mark Woehrle Earns ASHRAE Certification

ORLANDO, FL— Mark Woehrle (top right photo) , vice president, Shaw Mechanical Services has earned a Commissioning Process Management Professional (CPMP) certification from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

 The test-based certification is based on a candidate’s acceptance into the program, experience in the industry, and test scores.

“An ASHRAE certification benefits building owners, employers and individuals,” says ASHRAE President Gordon Holness. (bottom left photo)  “ASHRAE certification helps professionals demonstrate that they have mastered a certain body of knowledge and can provide outstanding services in their area of expertise.”

Woehrle, who joined Shaw Mechanical Services in 2003, serves as vice president of operations and special projects.

With 23 years of experience in mechanical contracting management, he is a licensed mechanical and plumbing contractor in Florida, and is an NEBB Certified Supervisor for Air & Hydronic Testing & Balancing.

 Woehrle has a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from the University of Florida, and along with membership in ASHRAE is active in Associated Builders & Contractors.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.

PR Contact: Elaine Ingra, PH 407 384-1344, elainei@pr-works.com

Marcus & Millichap Sells $16M Luxury Apartment Complex in Novato, CA

NOVATO, CA – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has brokered the sale of Oak Grove Apartments,(top left photo)  an 88-unit, 75,666-square foot luxury apartment complex in Novato.

The sales price of $16,055,000 represents $182,443 per unit and $212 per square foot.

Brad Pennington (top right photo) , a first vice president investments and a director of the firm’s National Multi Housing Group in San Francisco, represented the seller, a local family partnership, and the buyer, a San Diego-based owner/operator of apartment communities, condo-conversion projects and office buildings throughout California.

“Oak Grove Apartments is the premier multifamily community in this submarket,” says Pennington. “The previous ownership had been in place for the past 10 years.”

Nestled into a hillside adjacent to a greenbelt, the property is located at 100-145 Cielo Lane in Novato, Marin County’s northernmost city.

Built in 1998, Oak Grove Apartments sits on six separate parcels of land totaling approximately 6.16 acres. The complex consists of eight three-story residential buildings, seven enclosed garage buildings and a freestanding fitness center.

The buildings are wood-frame construction with stucco and wood exteriors on slab foundations. The roofs are pitched-composition shingle and the property has ample parking for 204 cars.

The unit mix is comprised of 55 two-bedroom/two-bath apartments ranging from 893 to 1,089 square feet and 33 one-bedroom/one-bath units ranging from 636 to 870 square feet. The large individual units all have washers and dryers, one-car garages and either a patio or a balcony. Seven storage closets are available for tenants to rent.

Marin County is bordered to the north by Sonoma County and to the west by the Pacific Ocean.

Tina Stauffer of Portland office Promoted to Vice President

ENCINO, CA– Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has named Tina Stauffer (middle right photo)  vice president, according to Richard H. Peltz, (middle left photo)  senior vice president and chief information officer.

 As director of applications, Stauffer leads the firm’s application development team. Stauffer is located in the firm’s Portland office.

“Under Tina’s direction, the application development team has built, deployed and enhanced many tools that assist our agents in closing more transactions than any other brokerage firm in the United States,” says Peltz. “Her passion is creating tools to accelerate and simplify the transaction cycle and to create applications that satisfy clients and agents.”

Stauffer joined Marcus & Millichap in February 1999 as the operations manager for the Seattle office. In October 2000, she transferred to the Information Services department as a project manager in applications. Stauffer has been director of applications for the firm since 2007.

$26.5M in Bond Financing Arranged by Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp.

VALMEYER, IL– Marcus & Millichap Capital Corporation (MMCC) has arranged a $26.5 million refinancing package for the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) Annex Facility in Valmeyer. The property is a 398,862-square foot Class A office building.

Chad O’Connor, (lower right photo)  a senior director in the firm’s San Diego office, arranged the loan for the property.

“Bond financing has many long-term benefits and provides a hedge against inflation in today’s volatile market,” says O’Connor.

“Below-market interest rates, higher loan to values, nonrecourse and better execution are just a few of the benefits offered in executing a bond deal.

"However, bond financing is only available for larger single-tenant investment-grade-rated tenant buildings,” adds O’Connor.

The loan has a 5.35 percent interest rate, fixed for 18 years with an 18-year amortization.

“The property in this transaction possessed unique construction and build-out features,” continues O’Connor. “The facility was built in the side of a mountain inside retrofitted limestone mining caves.

"The caves provide superior climate control for archival record storage, which giving the records a longer lifespan. We were able to source a lender that had recently done a similar transaction for NARA in a location nearby.

"The lender was familiar with the tenant, their operations and the location, which made the closing process much easier,” adds O’Connor.

Contact: Stacey Corso, Public Relations Manager, (925) 953-1716

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

CB Richard Ellis's Global Market Overview for June 2010---A Bumpy Road to Recovery

LOS ANGELES, CA--CB Richard Ellis's Global Market View for June 2010 sees a bumpy road to recovery for the real estate industry. The report was prepared by Nick Axford (top left photo) , Andrew Ness (middle right photo) , Kevin Stanley (bottom left photo) , Raymond Wong (bottom right photo)  and Raymond Torto (top right photo).

Highlights of the report:

The world's attention is focused today on the Euro crisis, and sovereign debt issues are now on the world's mind. The Euro crisis will be a bump for the improving global economy—whether it will be a major bump or small bump is yet to play out. CB Richard Ellis' view is to characterize global economies as "improving, but bumpy"—movement in a positive direction, but not a smooth or uninterrupted path.

Investment sales activity in the American markets continues to slowly revive from the depressed levels of 2009. For the market as a whole, aggregate 1Q 2010 volume surged 126% from 1Q 2009, when market activity hit trough levels.

In the US leasing market, the decreasing rate of decline in commercial property fundamentals and the surprise of outright improvement in multi-family, along with strong signs of life in the capital markets, have made the first quarter of 2010 the best quarter for commercial real estate in quite some time.

Entering 2010, Asian economies demonstrated more evidence of a heated recovery, bordering on overheating. Growth is being supported by a strong rebound in exports, coupled with the robust performance of consumer markets in China and India, the combination of which has resulted in an improvement in the region's economic performance.

The driver of economic growth in 1Q 2010 in the Pacific region was Australia, where the Reserve Bank was so convinced of the fast pace of recovery, it moved the interest rate target up 25 bps in March, April and May. The official cash rate target is now 4.50%—a high rate by global standards and a testament to the growing strength of the economy.

European commercial real estate investment reached €19.1 billion in the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 65% on the same quarter in 2009. This confirms the general upturn in European investment activity, and we expect a pronounced year-on-year improvement in 2010.

For a complete copy of the report, please contact Raymond Torto at  rtorto@cbremarketing.com.

Marcus & Millichap Promotes William Benoist to Vice President of Information Services

ENCINO, CA– Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has named William Benoist (top right photo)  vice president of information services, according to Richard H. Peltz (bottom left photo) , senior vice president and chief information officer.

As director of desktop services, Benoist is responsible for computer and computer-related services for more than 1,200 commercial real estate investment professionals and the entire corporate staff, including managers and executives.

“Bill’s department has completed more than 200,000 work orders while maintaining customer service ratings consistently above the industry standard,” comments Peltz. “His passion is ensuring that everyone at Marcus & Millichap receives desktop service promptly and professionally.”

Benoist joined Marcus & Millichap’s information services department as a senior technician in 1997. In 2000, he became manager of the firm’s help desk. Benoist has been serving as the director of desktop services since 2006.

Contact: Stacey Corso, Public Relations Manager, (925) 953-1716

Hudson, FL Retail Properties Get $2.66M Loan

ORLANDO, FL--Thomas D. Wood and Company, a Strategic Alliance Mortgage LLC member, secured financing in the amount of $2,665,000 for a 7-Eleven Convenience Store and Dorman Crossings Anchored Retail Center.


Brad Cox, (top right photo)  CCIM, CPM, Company Vice President, secured $1,200,000 in financing for the 7-Eleven Convenience Store and Service Station on May 28, 2010, through Thomas D. Wood and Company’s relationship with a regional bank.

The full-recourse loan has an interest rate of 6.375%, fixed for the first three years, changing to 300 basis points over the three-year LIBOR for the next three years, based on a 25-year amortization.

The loan-to-value is 65%. The 2,940 square-foot retail store and service station was built in 1999, and is located at 18934 US Highway 19, Hudson, Florida.

Doug Rozzell, (middle left photo) Company Principal, secured $1,465,000 in financing for Dorman Crossings on June 1, 2010, through Thomas D. Wood and Company’s relationship with a regional bank. The construction/mini-perm loan has an interest rate of LIBOR + 300 basis points with a floor of 4.0%.

The first 12 months are interest-only, followed by a 36-month mini-perm, based on a 25-year amortization. The loan-to-value is 75% and loan-to-cost is 85%.

Construction will begin on the 9,833 square-foot retail center in 2010, and it will be home to major tenants Vitamin Shoppe and Mattress Firm. Dorman Crossings is located at 1501 W. Ozell Boulevard, Spartanburg, South Carolina.

For further information, please contact:

Brad Cox, CCIM, CPM (941) 552-9731 bcox@tdwood.com
Doug Rozzell (407) 937-0470 drozzell@tdwood.com
Jessica Kinnee (407) 937-0470 jkinnee@tdwood.com

Palmer Electric Wins Osceola Elementary School Project in Kissimmee, FL

WINTER PARK, FL— The commercial division of Palmer Electric Company has secured a nearly $80,000 contract with the joint venture of W.G. Mills/Ranger Building Services for phase 1 of the renovation of Highlands Elementary School in Kissimmee, Florida.

Under its scope of services, Palmer Electric is providing site and building electrical contracting as well as low voltage systems including fire alarm, voice/data and intercom for the relocation of six portable classrooms, and the demolition of eleven portable classrooms.

This work will prepare the campus for the renovation of the remaining school facilities and the addition of new buildings planned for phases II and III. Phase I will be completed by July 20.

The School District of Osceola County, Florida, is the project’s owner. The Orlando, Florida-based design team includes architecture by Schenkel Shultz Architecture and electrical engineering by OCI Associates.

Contact: Elaine Ingra, 407 384-1344, elainei@pr-works.com

Southern Commercial Completes 43,345-SF New Lease in Lake Mary, FL

ORLANDO, FL--Vice President Sher Tolan, MBA of Southern Commercial Real Estate Advisors completed a 43,345 square foot new lease at 400 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, Florida.

Tolan negotiated the 10 year lease, representing the Landlord, Rinehart Development & Investment Group, LLC. The Tenant, Quality Manufacturing Services was represented by Coughlin Commercial.

Media Contact: Celeste MacKenzie, cmackenzie@southerncommercialre.com

City Of Miami Beach Agency Buys Failed South Beach Condo Conversion

MIAMI, FL--The City of Miami Beach is now competing head-to-head with bulk investors for busted condo projects in South Beach as an agency of the municipality implements plans to use the apartments as "affordable" rentals, according to a new report from CondoVultures.com.

On June 2, the nonprofit Miami Beach Community Development Corp housing agency paid $5.7 million for the failed 35-unit Neptune Beach condo (top left photo) conversion located a block south of the popular Lincoln Road pedestrian mall in the neighborhood of South Beach, according to the report based on Miami-Dade County records.

This is the first example of a South Florida agency attempting to cash in as a bulk buyer on the region's real estate crash. The City of Miami Beach agency paid $162,000 per unit in a project where prices originally started at more than $200,000 per condo.

"The competition for failed condo projects just got a little bit more fierce in South Florida with the public sector now moving into a market that had been dominated by private equity and institutional funds," said Peter Zalewski, a principal with the Bal Harbour, Fla.-based real estate consultancy Condo Vultures® LLC.

(MacArthur Causeway over Biscayne Bay, bottom right photo)

 "The public sector, much like the private sector, apparently sees value in purchasing distressed South Florida real estate in this current market. It is too early to determine what effect the emergence of the public sector will have on the bulk market."

Contact:  Peter Zalewski of Condo Vultures®,  800-750-0517 or by email at peter@condovultures.com

Wyndham Hotel Group to Acquire Tryp Hotel Brand from Sol Meliá

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – (June 7, 2010) - Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN)  announced that its Wyndham Hotel Group business unit has agreed to acquire the Tryp® hotel brand from Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts.

In addition, Wyndham will enter into a license agreement with the current 91 Tryp hotels located throughout Europe and South America that will continue to be owned, operated, managed or licensed by Sol Meliá.

Wyndham Hotel Group and Sol Meliá will form a strategic alliance to work together to develop the Tryp brand globally and market the hotels cooperatively through their central reservations systems and loyalty programs.

The brand, expected to be renamed Tryp by Wyndham®, is a select-service, midmarket brand representing approximately 13,000 rooms and caters to business and leisure travelers in cosmopolitan cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Montevideo.

The acquisition price is approximately $43 million (USD), subject to adjustments. The all-cash transaction is anticipated to close by the end of the second quarter, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Sol Meliá will continue to operate hotels, resorts and vacation clubs under its seven other owned brands.

“This acquisition reflects our strategy to invest in our fee-for-service businesses and supplement organic growth with complementary brands,” said Stephen P. Holmes, (middle left photo)  chairman and chief executive officer of Wyndham Worldwide.

“The addition of more than 90 high-performing hotels in key international cities enhances and accelerates the recent development momentum of the Wyndham Hotel Group. The transaction significantly increases our international platform, enhancing our growth opportunities, especially in Europe and Latin America.”

The Tryp by Wyndham brand would join Wyndham Hotel Group and its 11 other hotel brands, which encompass nearly 7,100 hotels and 593,300 rooms in 65 countries.

“We look forward to adding the Tryp brand to our strong global portfolio and continuing our working relationship with Sol Meliá, a world-renowned company,” said Wyndham Hotel Group president and chief executive officer, Eric Danziger.(top right photo)

 “Sol Meliá’s leaders built a family enterprise into a successful and innovative global hotel company, providing an outstanding collection of products and services for more than 50 years. We intend to continue expanding the Tryp brand by utilizing our global development team to tap the significant growth opportunities across Europe and the Americas.”

“We selected to work with Wyndham Hotel Group because of the company’s reputation as a global brand-builder, which will benefit the future of the Tryp brand,” said Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, (lower right photo) vice chairman and chief executive officer of Sol Meliá.

“We are proud to have nurtured this successful brand for the last 10 years. Now, this alliance will help Tryp become a truly global hotel brand by creating long-term synergies between our companies to boost Tryp Hotels to the next level.”

Media contact:  :Evy Apostolatos, +1 (973) 753-6590, evy.apostolatos@wyndhamworldwide.com
Investor contact:  Margo C. Happer, +1 (973) 753-6472, margo.happer@wyndhamworldwide.com

Lane Company Expands Student Housing Outreach

ATLANTA, GA– Multifamily real estate firm Lane Company is significantly expanding its outreach into the student housing area.

Lane Management LLC, the firm’s property management arm, has been active in the student housing market for almost 15 years, managing student communities in ten states for a variety of owners, including one of the largest student housing companies in the country.

“In recognition of the growing role of student housing, Lane Management has formally established a division that will focus exclusively on the operation and management of privately-owned, off-campus student apartments,” said Lane Company President Cindy Pfeifer (top right photo).

 Before joining Lane Company, Pfeifer was Chief Operating Officer/Chief Investment Officer of Place Properties, one of the nation’s premier off-campus student apartment companies.

“We have a team of talented, experienced associates who know the business and the particular nuances of student housing,” said Lane Management president Rob Couch (middle left photo) . “This move lets us expand our demonstrated and proven success to a wider audience and ownership base.”

Industry veteran Rick Jones  (middle right photo) will lead the new division, which is comprised of a veritable who’s who of student housing veterans. Jones, a Regional Vice President, has two decades of diverse property management experience.

This includes 10 years devoted to student housing, in which he managed 25 off-campus student living communities in California, Idaho, Utah, Washington, Arizona, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina.

His career has taken him coast-to-coast in a variety of positions including Vice President with Lend Lease Real Estate Investments, Senior Vice President of Trinity Property Consultants and Regional Vice President with BH Management. He is based in Charlotte.

The new group also welcomes two new employees with extensive backgrounds in student housing.

• Wesley Deese, a Regional Property Manager, is responsible for student communities in North Carolina, Kentucky and Georgia. He was previously a Vice President of Property Management at University Housing in Roanoke, where he oversaw operations for all company-owned student, rural development and commercial assets, and was an instrumental part of the development team. He is also based in Charlotte.

• Michael Mulholland is now property manager for The Bellamy Student Apartments (lower left photo)  in Louisville. He was formerly a Regional Manager with JPI.

He has 14 years of multifamily housing experience including 10 years dedicated to student housing.

He successfully led numerous on-site teams for AIMCO, College Park Communities, University House Communities and JPI.

In addition, Lane Management is a Gold Sponsor of the Interface Student Housing Conference. The conference is a national networking event for all facets of the student housing industry. It will be held June 15 and 16 in Chicago.

Media contact:  Terri Thornton; 404-687-8760, 404-932-4347 (Cell),  http://www.territhornton.com/
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