For some, work is a calling. "I believe energy-efficient, healthy, durable, easy-to-maintain, low-operating-cost, people-friendly, and sustainable buildings that are designed, built, and marketed in such a manner can be a win-win situation for everybody involved in the project and the community at large–forever," says Jeffrey G. Ross-Bain, who in April became the associate in charge for high-performance building systems at Smith Dalia Architects in Atlanta.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish in your new role? A: To introduce the concept of high-performance building design on a practical, pragmatic, and economically feasible level. Often, this concept is referred to as green, environmental, or sustainable design, but I prefer the term high-performance and often like to refer to it as "good" design. Q: After the economy, what do you see as a challenge for the industry this year? A: I believe that multifamily projects need to start addressing broader community issues such as open space, walkable environments, access to amenities, and general quality of life issues that surround the development. Many developments today pay much more attention to automobile movement than to people.
Q: What was your first job in the multifamily industry? A: My first project was a college dormitory. I enjoyed working on the project because it included a geothermal heat pump system of approximately 50 tons. The higher initial costs were recouped in three to seven years, and the energy savings continue to this day.
Q: What do you enjoy about working in the multifamily industry? A: Professionally, the multifamily industry offers significant opportunity for innovative design and solutions to complex issues. I am a strong proponent of resurrecting the art of architecture and engineering, and I feel multifamily projects uniquely afford this potential. On a social level, I believe that multifamily developments can revitalize communities and reverse the post-World War II development sprawl that can result in a disconnected community.
Q: How would you describe the multifamily industry's career opportunities? A: I would highly encourage architects and engineers to develop the specific skills associated with multifamily to deliver a comprehensive service to their clients. With those in place, career opportunities will be plentiful as society begins to comprehend the benefits of multifamily living.
JPI has named Sandi Wolchansky development manager in its Northeast region. She will be involved in all aspects of the development process, from identifying and underwriting prospective deals, to permitting, design, and development. Previously, she was development manager at Archstone-Smith Trust, where she worked on signature high-rise projects in the Boston area and negotiated affordable housing and financing matters.
The Bader Co., which provides insurance for the multifamily, retail, and self-storage industries, has moved to new headquarters. The new address is 9777 N. College Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46280.
Clay Demara has joined Mark-Taylor as CFO at the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company. Previously, he was regional controller at Greystar.
JER Partners has hired James W. Smith III as principal of fund investment management, where he will oversee the asset management activities of JER's North American private equity real estate funds. Previously, he was a director for Jamestown in Atlanta.
Commercial real estate investment brokerage firm Sperry Van Ness recently named Louis Grasso as senior advisor, giving Sperry Van Ness more coverage in the Maryland and Washington, D.C., markets. Grasso, who has more than 40 years of commercial real estate experience, specializes in the sale of land and commercial investment properties. Sperry Van Ness has also added an advisor in Cincinnati: Charles Ciolino Jr., who focuses on sales of local apartments and single-tenant buildings nationwide. Previously, he was senior sales vice president for NAI Eagle.
Stewart A. Bül has joined Winston Capital in Dallas as director of development. Previously, he was a senior vice president and area partner with JPI.
Andrew Serenyi has joined real estate services company NAI Global as director, corporate communications. He will oversee member and client corporate marketing and promotional collateral, advertising and Web site content, member training materials, news articles, and the publication of various newsletters and market reports.
CALEX Realty Group has hired Angela
Nieves as human resource manager for the Florida-based property management firm. Real estate firm RAL Companies & Affiliates has promoted Jerry Gallo to director of architectural services for Creative Design Associates. He will oversee all aspects of RAL's architectural production, manage the architectural staff at Creative Design Associates, assist in the design and development of new RAL projects, and other duties. The company also hired Spencer Levine as director of landscape architecture for Creative Design Associates and vice president of Site Development Associates, RAL's affiliated site planning firm. He is presently overseeing preconstruction activities for RAL's latest residential undertaking: the conversion of a 1928, 1 million-square-foot factory to 445 luxury condominiums on the Brooklyn waterfront.
Wasatch Property Management has hired Bryan Wrigley as senior vice president of Wasatch Acquisitions, a division of the Logan-based real estate development company. Previously, he worked for Price Legal Corp, where he underwrote $100 million in commercial real estate acquisitions.
Atlanta-based Urban Realty Partners has hired Robert Hughes and Simon Tuohy as development associates. Hughes, who previously worked for Trimont Real Estate Advisors and Holiday Fenoglio Fowler, will primarily act as project manager, assisting in all phases of Urban Realty Partners' venture analysis and execution. Tuohy, who previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers, will assist with financial reporting and tax responsibilities for Urban Realty Partners and will be involved in the financing and funding of all projects.
Kevin Sheehan has joined Bozzuto Management Co. as senior vice president. Previously, he was a vice president at AIMCO, overseeing their Washington, D.C., portfolio.
Amy Gibson has been promoted to regional vice president of the ERC Management Group. She will handle daily operations of ERC properties in Fort Smith, Ark., and northwest Arkansas.
Benchmark Assisted Living has promoted Jack McCarthy to COO. McCarthy, who previously was Benchmark's senior vice president of sales and marketing, will be responsible for resident services, sales and marketing, operations, and customer satisfaction initiatives for all Benchmark communities. He began his career with Benchmark in 2000 as a regional director of sales and marketing.
CB Richard Ellis has hired Steve Wendling, formerly senior asset manager of Archon Residential Group, as director of finance for the CBRE Houston multi-housing team.
Bulls Capital Partners, a multifamily financial service provider and Fannie Mae DUS lender, has hired Patrick McMahon as senior vice president and senior deputy chief underwriter and Andrew Ellis as vice president of underwriting and production.
West Coast real estate operating company SNK Realty Group has hired Carter Hedrick as development manager and Terry Cox as development associate. Previously, Carter was founder of Beachwood Properties, a Southern California start-up, where he renovated both single-family homes and apartment buildings. Cox served as president of Terry E. Cox and Associates, where he managed and worked with various city, state and federal entities throughout the site identification, planning, and construction processes.
Sperry Van Ness has promoted Kevin Maggiacomo to vice president of Sperry Van Ness' national advisor organization. He has served as the company's regional director in the Eastern region and national director of hospitality since 2001. The Irvine, Calif.-based real estate investment brokerage firm has also named Matthew Fitch as regional director for its Eastern division and Rod Santomassimo as regional director for the South. Kevin N. Sabin also joined Sperry Van Ness as vice president. With seven years of commercial real estate experience, Sabin specializes in the sale of apartments and land for multi-family development. Prior to joining Sperry Van Ness, Sabin served as vice president of multi-residential investments for RE/MAX Commercial.