$31 Million Apartment Complex in Glendale Heights, IL Listed by Marcus & Millichap

GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has received the exclusive listing for Stonegate Apartments (top left photo), an 11-building  420-unit apartment complex in Glendale Heights. The listing price of $31 million equates to $73,810 per unit.

 Nicholas Manganais, an associate vice president investments, and David Tarnoff, a vice president investments, both in Marcus & Millichap’s Chicago office, are representing the seller, Stonegate Venture Corporation.

The apartment complex is located with frontage along heavily traveled Glen Ellyn Road, at the intersection of Gregory Avenue, approximately 24 miles west of Chicago in DuPage County.

Stonegate Apartments was built in 1976 and renovated in 2006. All units have new sprinklers and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The complex features landlord-supplied gas for heating and cooking, ample parking and mature landscaping with multiple green open areas. 

“Stonegate Apartments’ convenient location, strong demographics, admirably well-cared-for physical condition, high occupancy and solid operations make this a compelling acquisition opportunity that will serve an investor well for many years to come,” says Manganais.

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

Marcus & Millichap Sells $52 Million Seniors Housing Portfolio

CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2011 – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has closed the sale of a three-property seniors housing portfolio in Indiana. The properties were sold $52 million. They are:

• Forest Creek Commons, 122 units, Indianapolis
• North Woods Commons, 114 units, Kokomo
• Covington Commons, 154 units, Fort Wayne (top left photo)

 Mark Myers (middle right photo), a senior vice president investments in Marcus & Millichap’s Chicago office, Christopher Hyldahl, a senior associate in the firm’s West Los Angeles office, and Joshua Jandris, a seniors housing property specialist in Chicago, represented the seller, BAI of Indiana, and the buyer, Five Star Quality Care Inc.

Joshua Caruana (lower left photo), of Marcus & Millichap’s Indianapolis office, is the firm’s broker of record in Indiana.

“These properties are institutional-quality real estate with strong existing cash flows,” says Myers. “Their acuity levels, physical makeup and locations are uniquely positioned to maximize demand and value within their respective upper-middle class markets. Each property has sustained occupancy levels greater than 90 percent,” adds Myers.

Forest Creek Commons is a single-story apartment building located on the south side of Indianapolis on U.S. Highway 31, south of Interstate 465. The property serves St. Francis Hospital’s Indianapolis campuses and Community Hospital South. The facility has 56 studios, 28 one-bedroom apartments and 38 two-bedroom apartments. The assisted-living portion of the property was constructed in 1995 and an addition was built in 2006. The garden homes were constructed in phases from 1996 to 1998.

North Woods Commons is a single-story apartment building located on the northwest side of Kokomo next to the Howard Regional Health Specialty Hospital and is within one-half mile of the St. Joseph Hospital campus. The property features 50 studios, 42 one-bedroom units and 22 garden homes on an approximately five-acre campus. The assisted living section was constructed in 1997 and added on to in 1998. The garden homes were built in two phases in 1998 and 2005.

Covington Commons features 64 studios, 24 one-bedroom units and 48 two bedroom garden homes on an approximately 12-acre campus. The single-story apartment building is located on the southwest side of Fort Wayne, just east of Interstate 69, near the new Lutheran Hospital campus. The facility serves the south and west sides of greater Fort Wayne.

The three apartment communities all provide a full range of congregate services, including restaurant-style all-day meal service, transportation, housekeeping, flat linen service, activities and common area amenities. The apartment units address the needs of seniors who don’t require full-time skilled nursing care, but do require assistance with dining, dressing, bathing, medication setup and reminders and other daily activities.

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

The Residences at W Atlanta-Downtown Re-Launch Sales at New Values in Line with Current Market Conditions

ATLANTA, GA) – As savvy homebuyers are on the hunt for superior value propositions amid dwindling inventory, sales of The Residences at W Atlanta – Downtown (top left photo) have been re-launched at truly compelling values.

“The Residences at W Atlanta – Downtown provide an incredible opportunity to experience five-star hotel living in the heart of the city with exceptional designs, modern finishes and unparalleled views,” said David Tufts (lower right photo), president of The Marketing Directors, LLC. “Residents not only get a beautiful home but also exclusive access to all of the amenities and services that make W Hotels a world-class brand.”

To reflect current market conditions, new pricing will begin at $199,900 for one-bedrooms and $299,000 for two-bedrooms, representing one of the best real estate opportunities in the city today. 

A refreshed Welcome Center will open in early October on the 18th floor of the building, offering a glimpse of the luxurious lifestyle at W Atlanta - Downtown – an unmatched opportunity available nowhere else in the city.

For more information, explore http://www.watlantaresidences.com/ or call 404-524-4092.

 www.whotels.com/atlantadowntown

For more information, contact:

Liz Lapidus /Kate Thacker

Liz Lapidus PR

404.688.1466

kate@lizlapiduspr.com

http://www.themarketingdirectorsinc.com/

 or find us on Facebook.

Winston-James Development inks new long term lease at Beville Road Business Park in South Daytona, FL

 SOUTH DAYTONA, FL. --- Winston-James Development, developer of Beville Road Business Park (top left photo) in South Daytona, reported it closed on a new long term lease agreement that totaled 1,050 square feet of commercial space.

 Winston Schwartz, president of Winston-James Development, said the new tenant Larry Spencer, is a household goods wholesaler.

 For more information, contact:

Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc 933 Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555

Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty named exclusive brokers for three lakefront estate home sites in Southwest Orlando

ORLANDO, FL. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive brokers for three luxury estate home sites fronting on Lake Willis, a 150-acre natural spring-fed lake near the Dr. Phillips area in Southwest Orlando.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said International New Home Specialist Dan Natoli (top right photo) has listed the properties priced from the $400s.

The lakefront home sites range from two acres to two-and-a-half acres in size, Natoli said.

The seller will consider financing the estate sites for qualified buyers. 

“The current owner, a custom homebuilder, has home designs and plans available and is ready to start construction for an interested purchaser,” Natoli said.

For a brochure on the property go to http://www.stirlingsir.com/eflyers/westwood_blvd/westwood_blvd_brochure.pdf

  

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty closes on $570,000 sale of Alpine-Style Mansion that costs more than $1 million to build in Lake County, FL

ORLANDO, FL. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty recently closed on the $570,000 sale of an Alpine-style luxury home near Mission Inn Golf and Country Club in Howey-in-the Hills,  Lake County,  that cost more than $1 million to build.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty in Orlando, said International Luxury Home Specialist C. Michele Norris (lower left photo) negotiated the sale.

“Besides being a unique property, this home was an exceptional bargain at $570,000. 

Master Craftsman John Artimovich of the Olde Mill Company spent four years building the 4,415 square foot luxury home with five bedrooms, four baths and many custom one-of-a-kind features.

 View a video of the property at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR4aJ6wNkxQ

Media contact information:

 Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890; rsoderstrom@stirlingSIR.com;

C. Michele Norris, International Luxury Home Specialist, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty  407-333-1900; mnorris@stirlingsir.com

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

Visit http://www.stirlingsir.com./

Counts Real Estate Group Negotiates sale of 24-unit Lansing Drive Property in Pensacola, FL

PENSACOLA, FL--- Counts Real Estate Group, one of northwest Florida’s leading commercial real estate services firms, recently completed the sale of the 24-unit Lansing Drive Apartments at 1901 Lansing in Pensacola for $537,500.00.

 Scott Helms (top right photo), associate of Counts Real Estate Group negotiated the transaction representing a private local buyer. 

 The seller was Berkadia Group of Dallas.  

For more information, contact:  

Scott Helms, Counts Real Estate Group, 850-249-3615 Scott.Helms@countsrealestate.com

Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or 407-461-3780, lvershelco@aol.com  

Celebration Golf Management Promotes Jason Guerra to Golf Event Manager at Stoneybrook West Golf Club in Winter Garden, FL

ORLANDO, FL --- Celebration Golf Management has promoted Jason Guerra (top right photo) to golf event manager at Stoneybrook West Golf Club in Winter Garden.

Gene Garrote, president of Celebration Golf Management, said Guerra joined Celebration Golf Management in 2010 and worked in the golf pro shop at Stoneybrook West.

“Jason Guerra has demonstrated his ability to improve the level of service and efficiency in all areas, to develop and execute creative revenue generating programs, and he is an outstanding leader and role model,” said Mark Bearss, general manager at Stoneybrook West.

Bearss added that Guerra will continue to head the merchandising efforts at Stoneybrook.

“We are looking forward to all the new and exciting aspects that he will bring to his new role,” Bearss said.

For more information, contact:  

Mark Bearss, General Manager Stoneybrook West Golf Club 407 877-8533 mbearss@golfsbw.com;

Gene Garrote, President, Celebration Golf Management, 407-566-1045;  

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142.

New SBA Rules that Allow SBA 504 Financing for Business Expenses Could Double Loan Volume at Mercantile Capital Corp.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL. --- Mercantile Capital Corporation, which already ranks as one of the largest providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 financing for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, could see its loan volume double thanks to new SBA rules that allow SBA 504 financing to refinance current conventionally-financed loans and provide working capital.

“I don’t have to tell you how big a deal this is for a vast number of small business owners,” said Christopher G. Hurn (top right photo), co-founder and chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation. “This is what some people might call a ‘game changer.’”

Hurn, who has actively advocated for these SBA changes for nearly eight years, said the new lending rules should have a major impact on small business growth and development.

“When thousands of small business owners across this nation are struggling with high interest rates on loans for commercial buildings and an inability to finance additional working capital, this is phenomenal,” Hurn said.

 

SBA 504 loans offer qualified small business owners below-market interest rates and up to 90 percent financing, considerably better terms than offered by commercial banks.  Additionally, the SBA 504 loan program is considered a “zero-subsidy” government program whereby borrower fees “insure” the government guarantee on a portion of the loans.

Legislation enabling the new rules was part of the Obama Administration’s Small Business Jobs and Credit Act passed in late 2010, but the SBA only promulgated rules allowing financing of legitimate business expenses this week, Hurn said.

Mercantile Capital Corp. Provides Commercial Real Estate Loan in Clermont Worth over $2.3 Million

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL.  – Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s leading providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, closed a commercial loan for Florida Fast Lubes, Inc. d/b/a Valvoline Instant Oil Change, recently for $2,395,000 in total project costs.

In 2003 Bob Ladas opened his first quick oil change automotive service facility in Massachusetts.  Currently Ladas owns and operates 11 Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations, including several in Florida.   Valvoline Instant Oil Change centers offer a full array of preventative services to help keep cars running at a peak performance. 

“Mercantile Capital Corporation made the loan process effortless, and I look forward to possibly working with them again in the future,” said Ladas. 

The SmartChoice Commercial Loan Program helps owners of small to mid-sized businesses, have an opportunity to create wealth and financial freedom.  Their specialization in SmartChoice Commercial Loans, also known as SBA 504 loans, allows borrowers to own their commercial property with the highest cash-on-cash return financing available, without tying up capital so they can grow even faster.

For more information, visit http://www.thesmartchoiceloan.com/ and http://www.504blog.com/.

Mercantile Capital Corp.  to Host Free Webinar on SBA 504 Loan’s New Focus on Refinancing, Operating Capital

ORLANDO, FL --- Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s most active providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans for small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, will host a free webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 1, to explain new rules expanding the SBA 504 loan program.

Christopher G. Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said new SBA 504 rules permit use of SBA 504 funds to refinance commercial property loans at below-market interest rates over fixed 20-year terms with as little as 10 percent down.

Contacts:

Chris Hurn, Chief Executive Officer, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040 churn@mercantilecc.com

Robin Lashley, Marketing, Mercantile Capital Corporation, 407-786-5040 rlashley@mercantilecc.com

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

MAA Completes Acquisition of Aventura at Indian Lake Village in Metro Nashville, TN

  

MEMPHIS, TN /PRNewswire/ -- MAA (NYSE: MAA) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Aventura at Indian Lake Village (top left photo), a 300-unit apartment community located in the Nashville metropolitan statistical area.

Aventura at Indian Lake Village was developed in 2010 and is located within Indian Lake Village, a desirable master-planned mixed-use development in the Hendersonville submarket. T

he community offers upscale amenities including a resort style pool with sundeck, exterior fireplaces and walking path access to acres of designated greenways. Interior amenities include 9' ceilings, cherry cabinets and granite countertops.

Aventura at Indian Lake Village is convenient to Interstate 65 and only 15 miles northeast of downtown Nashville which was recently ranked by Forbes as the "15th Best Place for Business and Careers." Nashville hosts two major league sport franchises, is home to the headquarters for several Fortune 500 companies, and is a major employer in the music, medical and automotive industries.

Commenting on the announcement, Al Campbell, EVP and CFO said, "We are very pleased to add Aventura at Indian Lake Village to our Nashville portfolio. The Nashville area has experienced strong population growth over the past decade. We expect the positive demographic and economic trends of this area to support strong leasing fundamentals in the coming years."

The acquisition was funded by common stock issuances through MAA's at-the-market program and borrowings under our current credit facilities.

MAA is a self-administered, self-managed apartment-only real estate investment trust, which currently owns or has ownership interest in 48,926 apartment units throughout the Sunbelt region of the U.S.

  For further details, please refer to the MAA website at www.maac.com or contact Investor Relations at investor.relations@maac.com.  6584 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN  38138.

Contact:  Investor Relations of MAA, +1-901-682-6600, investor.relations@maac.com

Web Site: http://www.maac.com

Developer Condo Sales Slow By 33% In Downtown Miami In Q3 2011

MIAMI, FL--New condo sales in Greater Downtown Miami slowed by 33 percent in the third quarter of 2011 on a year-over-year basis compared to 2010, leaving nearly 2,000 developer units still unsold from the real estate boom as of Sept. 30, according to a new report from CondoVultures.com.

Buyers purchased less than 300 new units for a combined $125 million between July and September of 2011 to reduce the number of unsold units controlled by the original developers to nine percent of the nearly 22,250 condos created in Greater Downtown Miami, according to a new report based on an analysis of Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser data.

The remaining 2,000-unsold developer units are situated in two dozen of the more than 80 condo projects that were created in a 60-block stretch comprised of the Brickell Avenue Area, Downtown Miami, and the Biscayne Boulevard Corridor during the real estate boom that began in 2003, according to an analysis based on the Condo Vultures® Official Condo Buyers Guide To Miami™.

A year ago in September 2010, developers controlled 21 percent - nearly 4,600 units - of the new inventory in Greater Downtown Miami.

 In September 2009, the number of unsold developer units represented 36 percent - nearly 8,000 units - of the new inventory added to the market during the condo boom, according to the report.

"The Greater Downtown Miami condo market is changing due in large part to increased asking prices for the remaining unsold developer inventory," said Peter Zalewski, a principal with the Bal Harbour, Fla.-based real estate consultancy Condo Vultures® LLC.

"Investors and second-home buyers are still in the Greater Downtown Miami market searching for new condos at attractive prices but the competition is intensifying.

"Not only are developers of existing projects competing against each other but increasingly bulk owners are launching their resale campaigns to tap into the buying activity."

 

 Peter Zalewski of Condo Vultures® can be reached at 800-750-0517 or by email at peter@condovultures.com.  

General Growth Properties Inc. Awards Grubb & Ellis 1.1-Million-SF Office Leasing and Property Management Assignment in metro Las Vegas

  

SANTA ANA, CA – Grubb & Ellis Company (NYSE: GBE), a leading real estate services and investment firm, announced that General Growth Properties Inc. selected the company to lease and manage a 32-building, 1.1-million-square-foot office portfolio in Summerlin (top left rendering), an award-winning 22,000-acre master-planned community located  in the Las Vegas area. 

 Leading the leasing assignment is David Scherer (middle right photo), executive vice president, Transaction Services, who is joined by Barton Hyde, vice president, Michael Hsu, senior associate, Matthew Kreft, senior associate, and Brandon McCool.  The property management team is led by Eric Forshee, LEED GA, executive managing director. 

“This is a phenomenal group of properties located in one of the leading master-planned communities in the nation,” said Scherer.  “The portfolio is backed by a strong ownership in General Growth Properties and we intend to market it with an innovative, progressive plan that will maximize the value of the assets.”

 Forshee added that the management plan for the portfolio is centered on increasing tenant satisfaction and retention. 

 The portfolio consists of:

• ·         Corporate Pointe, a three-building complex offering more than 180,000 square feet of space located at 10550 – 10750 W. Charleston Blvd.,

 ·         the two-story, 71,388-square-foot 10000 W. Charleston Blvd.,

• ·         The Canyons at Summerlin, comprising four buildings located at 1120 – 1180 Town Center Drive that offer approximately 208,000 square feet of space,

 The Crossing Business Center, a 21-building office complex located at the intersection of  North Town Center Drive and Covington Cross Drive that consists of roughly 491,500 square feet of space and two vacant land parcels,

• ·         The Plazas, two buildings offering a combined 87,950 square feet of space at 1635 and 1645 Village Center Circle and

• ·         the two-story 1551 Hillshire Drive, which consists of nearly 70,000 square feet of space. 

 The office portfolio offers a wide range of options for companies, including professional image office suites, free-standing single-tenant buildings and a modern state-of-the-art corporate campus facility.

 Located near the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (lower right photo), Summerlin was first established in the 1950s by Howard Hughes Jr. (middle left photo) 

The community has grown to a population of nearly 100,000 and has been awarded numerous development awards from organizations like the Urban Land Institute, American Society of Landscape Architects and the Pacific Coast Builders Conference.

 For leasing information, call 702.733.7500, or contact Scherer at

 david.scherer@grubb-ellis.com. 

 Contact: Julia McCartney, Phone:  714.975.2230                                     

Email:  julia.mccartney@grubbellis.com                                                                                                              

Sperry Van Ness International Partners with Better World books to Help Fund Global Literacy

 IRVINE, CA – Sperry Van Ness International has partnered with Better World Books, a leading social enterprise that collects and sells books online, in support of its mission to help fund global literacy.  Through the partnership, Sperry Van Ness International will provide clients with a socially responsible outlet for books in their communities.

“Sperry Van Ness International is committed to looking for ways of improving our business that embrace corporate social responsibility.  Our partnership with Better World Books demonstrates Sperry Van Ness International’s support of the company’s mission and our commitment to being a true value-added partner in the real estate community,” said Kevin Maggiacomo (top right photo), chief executive officer and president of Sperry Van Ness International.

Better World Books began as a book drive and quickly grew into an online bookstore that integrates social responsibility into its core business model.  The for-profit social enterprise funds global literacy initiatives through the resale of used books and protects the environment through its book recycling program, preventing millions of books a year from being discarded into landfills.

 “As a B Corporation, Better World Books must adhere to rigorous standards for being a socially responsible and environmentally-friendly company.  Sperry Van Ness International’s core covenants are closely aligned with the core values of Better World Books, which was a key factor in our decision to partner with them,” added Maggiacomo.

Today, Better World Books is a fast-growing enterprise that employs nearly 400 people and sustains social and environmental responsibility as a core element of its business strategy.  They were named one of the “Top 25 Responsibility Pioneers” by Time Magazine and voted “Most Promising Social Entrepreneur of the Year” by BusinessWeek.  The founders at Better World Books believe that every book has lifelong value and the potential to help can change the world.        

ess

For more information on both companies, please visit www.betterworldbooks.com and http://www.svn.com/

Contact:  Megan Morales, 714) 273-2472, Megan.Morales@svn.com  

Equity Partners Handles Refinancing of Alafaya Corporate Center in East Orlando, FL

ORLANDO, FL – Equity Partners Inc., a full service brokerage and development company, announces the successful refinance of Alafaya Corporate Center (ACC)  (top left photo) for five years with Wells Fargo.

 ACC is a 150,000 SF Class A single story, multi-tenant office building with 1,200 feet of frontage on Alafaya Trail, situated across the Research Park/University submarket of Orlando.

Michael D Fess (middle right photo), an owner of ACC and President of Equity Partners Inc., said the property was 90% leased with long-term credit tenants at the time of refinance.

The most recent lease deals to note were the expansion and renewal of two long-term tenants: University of Phoenix and Environmental Tectonics Corporation (ETC).

Michael Fess and Faith Thompson (lower left photo) Leasing Manager, represented the landlord, Alafaya Corporate Center, LC in both transactions, which totaled 33,000 square feet of office space.

  Contact:

Faith Thompson

Leasing Manager

Equity Partners, Inc.

http://www.equitypartners.net/

Licensed Real Estate Broker

20 North Orange Avenue

Suite 605

Orlando, Florida 32801

407.660.4949 phone

407.808.2656 cell

407.660.4995 fax

Plaza Advisors Announces Sale of Gulf Breeze Marketplace in Pensacola, FL

TAMPA, FL--Plaza Advisors is pleased to announce the sale of Gulf Breeze Marketplace (top left photo) in Pensacola, Florida.

The shopping center is situated at the intersection US 98 and County Road 281. The shopping center contains 333,654 square feet of total of gross leasable area. Walmart Supercenter and Lowes Home Improvement are shadow anchors.

 The local tenant mix is composed of numerous national credit entities including; Sally Beauty, Firehouse Subs, GNC, Radio Shack and Hibbett Sports. The sale also included a freestanding Wells Fargo bank branch. The asset was constructed in 1998 and was fully leased at the time of sale.

 Plaza Advisors represented the seller in the transaction and co-managing partners Jim Michalak (middle left photo) and Anthony Blanco (lower right photo), together with Senior Financial Analyst, Lenard Williams were involved in the engagement. The seller and buyer were DDR Corp. and a private equity group, with offices in Atlanta and Tampa, respectively. 

“Grocery anchored retail assets are clearly the product of choice for both institutional and private equity investors,” Michalak says. “ Even though Gulf Breeze Marketplace does not contain a traditional grocery anchor the asset benefits from the consumer drawing power of the contiguous Walmart Supercenter and Lowes Home Improvement stores”.

 Blanco adds, “This sale further accentuates the strong demand for high quality retail investment assets.

 “The capital markets displayed a very substantial interest in the asset as evidenced by the strong demand and numerous offers received”.

Contacts:

Tampa Office                                                Miami Office                                     

Jim Michalak                                                Anthony Blanco                                           

3412 Bay to Bay Boulevard                                5201 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 846

Tampa, FL 33629                                               Miami, FL 33126

OFFICE: 813-837-1300                                       OFFICE: 305-629-3606

FAX: 813-831-2627                                            FAX: 305-647-6441

Jim.michalak@plazadvisors.com              Anthony.blanco@plazadvisors.com

CalPERS Appoints Mary Ann Burford as New Principal Advisor to Board President

 SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) today announced the appointment of Mary Ann Burford as Principal Advisor to Board President Rob Feckner (top right photo)

Her duties will include making policy assessments and recommendations on pension, health care and investment issues. Burford will also serve as the Board President’s liaison to stakeholder groups, and will be responsible for assessing out-of-state and out-of-country travel invitations to Board Members. She begins her new role October 17.

“Mary Ann possesses a wealth of experience and knowledge gained during her dedicated service to our organization,” said Feckner.  “She will be a great asset to the Board and to me in her role as my Principal Advisor.”

 Burford began her career with CalPERS in 1992, and has held a variety of positions in several different Divisions during the past 19 years. She has managed CalPERS Board of Administration elections, coordinated constituent events for the Actuarial and Employer Services Division, and also served as Ombudsman for the Member Services Division, resolving customer service issues.

 Most recently, Burford was a top manager in the CalPERS Customer Service Outreach Division (CSOD) created during the April 2011 reorganization. She played a key leadership role in developing the mission and vision for CSOD.

Burford graduated from University of San Francisco with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration.

 For more information on CalPERS, visit http://www.calpers.ca.gov/.

Contact:

External Affairs Branch

(916) 795-3991

Robert Udall Glazier, Deputy Executive Officer

Brad Pacheco, Chief, Office of Public Affairs

Contact: Amy Norris, Information Officer

pressroom@calpers.ca.gov