Colliers taps DC executive; Cresa buys project management firm; Avison Young names market leader in Texas

Colliers has hired Andrew Renart as an executive vice president in its Washington, D.C. office. Renart specializes in representing office tenants throughout metropolitan Washington. He has experience negotiating complex deals for nonprofit groups, law firms and healthcare and technology companies. His clients include the American Public Health Association, the United Nations and the International Bar Association. Renart began his career at Riggs Bank and previously was a senior vice president with Cresa and managing director at McBride Real Estate Services. “Andrew’s expertise and proven track record in driving success for commercial office tenants will serve as an incredible asset to our team,” said Matt Gannon, executive managing director and head of agency leasing for Colliers, in a statement.

Occupier services firm Cresa has acquired project management company NorthStar Owners Representation in a move that adds 11 employees, including the leadership team of Ron Street, Rosella Harvey and Anne McFadden, to its offices in Philadelphia and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1999, NorthStar is known for its work in higher education, life science centers, senior communities, museums and pre-kindergarten through 12th grade schools, according to Cresa. Its clients include Villanova University, Haverford College and Miami Children’s Museum. Cresa said the deal allows the firm to offer more project management services throughout the Northeast and beyond. NorthStar's entrepreneurial spirit and occupier-first approach align with Cresa's mission and values, Tony Juliano, Cresa’s Philadelphia market leader, said.

Avison Young tapped Ted Rohan as market leader for its Austin, Texas, office. He will continue his tenant representation role while also recruiting talent and bolstering the firm's business in the region, Avison Young said. Rohan was promoted to principal after eight years with the firm. With nearly a decade of experience, he has handled more than $200 million in transactions and is considered a leader in the life science business community.

“This strategic move underscores our commitment to the vibrant, entrepreneurial and unique Austin market,” said Damla Gerhart, principal and regional managing director for the central region, in a statement. Rohan said the new role meshes with Austin's fundamentals. "Now is an ideal time to attract new talent and grow our client base as businesses, landlords and capital sources seek to elevate their presence in this dynamic market,” he said in the statement.

Global Real Estate Advisors, a Dallas-based advisory firm specializing in multifamily acquisitions and dispositions, has named Tiffany Wright as CEO and added two offices on the East Coast. Wright, the first female CEO of GREA, brings 10 years of real estate leadership experience. She will oversee the company’s growth and enhance its market presence, according to GREA. Meanwhile, the addition of Ariel Property Advisors in New York City will allow GREA to offer capital services and enhance the company’s affordable housing business platform, the firm said. Also, its acquisition of Deaton Investment Real Estate in Raleigh, North Carolina, gives GREA a presence in one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country, GREA said.

Trademark Property Co. of Fort Worth, Texas, has hired Lance Taylor as senior vice president of development and Blake Bickmore as vice president of development. The team, including vice president of development Monica Luera, will oversee growth of the firm’s nearly 1 million-square-foot retail and mixed-use development pipeline. Taylor previously was vice president of acquisitions and development at NewMark Merrill Cos., where he worked on the company’s Mountain West portfolio of shopping centers. Bickmore most recently worked as director of development at Crescent Communities. “With capital markets thawing for retail and mixed-use real estate, Trademark is well-positioned to execute on our existing development and redevelopment pipeline and capture additional opportunities across various, high-growth markets,” Trademark CEO Terry Montesi said in a statement. “Trademark’s development capacity is at an all-time high, ready to take advantage of the current supply-demand imbalance.” Trademark’s mixed-use, retail and institutional services portfolio includes Galleria Dallas and Lincoln Square in the Dallas-Fort Worth region; Market Street – The Woodlands in The Woodlands, Texas; North Point in Alpharetta, Georgia; and Legacy Place in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.