Kidder Mathews has given another promotion to a real estate veteran who has been a driving force in the brokerage's recent growth and expansion — this time to chief operating officer.
Eric Paulsen will oversee operations across the Seattle-based company's 19 locations in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona. He replaces Brian Hatcher, who will focus on his role as regional president for the Pacific Northwest, according to Hatcher's LinkedIn profile.
The brokerage promoted Paulsen, who works out of the company's office in Irvine, California, to president of brokerage in October. He will continue in that role in addition to his new duties.
The latest promotion comes as Kidder Mathews, the West Coast's largest independent commercial real estate brokerage, prepares for more growth. Kidder has hired more than 80 brokers in less than two years, despite the choppy environment in property transactions.
The 37-year industry veteran joined the company in 2021 as regional president of brokerage for Southern California and Arizona and recruited over 50 brokers who produced $7.3 billion in transaction volume across more than 4,600 deals. He has closed nearly $10 billion in deals across the country, covering every property type.
“Eric has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision during his time with us, and I’m confident he will continue to drive success in this new role,” Kidder Mathews CEO Bill Frame said in a statement. “His experience, positive energy, and drive to win make him the perfect fit to lead our growth and promote our outstanding company culture.”
Prior to Kidder, Paulsen served as chief executive of Topside Real Estate in Newport Beach, California, and managing principal at Cushman & Wakefield’s Orange County and Inland Empire offices in Southern California. He also worked as an investment broker for CBRE for over a decade.
He also held leadership positions at Ten-X Commercial as well as LNR Property Corp., where he played a major role in landing major development deals and underwriting several billion dollars in CMBS loan positions.