ICSC’s board of trustees nominated Brad M. Hutensky as ICSC chairman for the 2012-2013 term. If Hutensky is elected at the organization’s annual member meeting in May, he will succeed David B. Henry, vice chairman and CEO of Kimco Realty Group.
Hutensky serves as president and principal of Hutensky Capital Partners. He has been a member of ICSC since 1988.
“Brad brings a very deep understanding of ICSC to the association, with his years of volunteer leadership positions, at a time when ICSC is striving to do more for its members and an industry in recover,” said ICSC President and CEO Michael P. Kercheval in a statement. “He combines this with a broad knowledge of retail real estate and capital markets and is thus ideally suited to serve as ICSC’s worldwide chairman at this time.”
Behringer Harvard Puts Michael O’Hanlon in Charge of its Opportunity Platform REITs
Behringer Harvard appointed Michael J. O’Hanlon as executive vice president, CEO and president of the funds that comprise the company’s opportunity platform, including Behringer Harvard Opportunity REIT I Inc. and Behringer Harvard Opportunity REIT II Inc. Robert S. Aisner, who has held the position until now, has been appointed as vice chairman of Behringer Harvard Opportunity REIT Inc. and Behringer Harvard Opportunity REIT II Inc.
Previously, O’Hanlon served as a member of the board of directors and audit committee for Behringer Harvard Multifamily REIT II. He has more than 30 years of experience in asset management, corporate and loan restructuring, capital markets, joint ventures and brokerage organization management.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Michael to Behringer Harvard,” said company President and CEO Robert S. Aisner in a statement. “We stand to benefit tremendously from Michael’s professional experience in operating public, non-traded alternative investment programs as well as his expertise in many other facets of real estate management. We’re confident that Michael’s strong leadership will be particularly beneficial to our opportunity-style investment programs.”
Cohen Financial Appoints Vincent Beckett as CFO
Cohen Financial promoted Vincent Beckett to CFO. In his new position, he will be responsible for the overall financial management of the company, including all accounting and audit activities, and will become a member of Cohen Financial’s executive committee.
Previously, Beckett served as vice president with the firm. He has more than 20 years of experience. Prior to joining Cohen Financial, he worked as the CFO of Midland Loan Services, a division of PNC Financial Services Group.
“Vince is a seasoned finance executive with a solid background in the commercial real estate industry,” said Cohen Financial CEO Jack Cohen in a statement. “His skill set is a great asset to our firm as we continue to grow our business.”
DDR Helps Anna’s Linens Enter Puerto Rico Market
DDR Corp. signed three new leases with Anna’s Linens for stores at its centers in Puerto Rico. The deals include a 5,600-sq.-ft. lease at Plaza Rio Hondo in Bayamon, an 11,700-sq.-ft. lease at Plaza del Atlantico in Arecibo and a 6,800-sq.-ft. lease at Rexville Plaza in Bayamon.
Brixmor Signs Leases with Fitness Club, Weight Watchers, Other Tenants
Blast Fitness signed a lease with Brixmor Property Group for a 26,256-sq.-ft. club at Sun Ray Shopping Center in St. Paul, Minn. Josh Bloom and Tim Bloom, of Bloom Commercial Real Estate LLC, represented Blast Fitness in the transaction. Matthew Johnson served as an in-house representative for Brixmor.
Beall’s Outlet signed a lease for an 18,017-sq.-ft. lease at Pensacola Square in Pensacola, Fla. Cathy Mancari represented Brixmor in the transaction;
Harbor Freight Tools signed a lease for 14,330 sq. ft. at Pearland Plaza in Pearland, Texas. Branson Edwards, of Grubb & Ellis, represented the tenant in the transaction. Dianne Colella represented Brixmor.
In addition, Brixmor signed six leases with Weight Watchers for stores ranging from 1,280 sq. ft. to 1,804 sq. ft. The leases include Cave Spring Corners in Roanoke, Va., Superior Marketplace in Superior, Colo., North Haven Crossing in North Haven, N.Y., Annex of Arlington in Arlington Heights, Ill., High Point Centre in Lombard, Ill. and Moorland Square in New Berlin, Wis.
Famous Dave’s BBQ Signs a Lease at Times Square’s Liberty Box Theater
Famous Dave’s BBQ/Times Square Hospitality Group signed a lease with Forest City Ratner for a new restaurant at 234 W. 42nd St. in New York City. Famous Dave’s will occupy the former 25,000-sq.-ft. Liberty Box Theater. The lease featured a blended asking rate of $200 per sq. ft. Andrew Pittel, president and CEO of Andrew A. Pittel & Co. LLC, represented the tenant in the transaction. Marc Leber and Jeff Roseman, of Newmark Knight Frank, represented the landlord.
Winick to Market Westchester Retail Space
The Brodsky Org. appointed Winick Realty Group LLC as the exclusive leasing broker for 42 West Broad St. in Westchester County, N.Y. The property features 12,850 sq. ft. of retail space. Steven E. Baker and Hal Shapiro will handle this assignment on behalf of Winick Realty.
Other Notable News
Forever 21 will expand and relocate its store from Town Center at Boca Raton in Boca Raton, Fla. to Cafes at Boca. The new store will measure 19,000 sq. ft. of space.
GBT Realty Corp. hired Thomas M. Hickman as senior vice president of acquisitions and development, Jeff Pape as senior vice president of development, Steve Pierce as vice president of acquisitions and Rita Bryants as vice president of asset management. Hickman has 25 years of experience in commercial real estate. Previously, he served as managing partner with New Horizon Retail Development. Pape has more than 17 years of experience. Prior to joining GBT, he worked as vice president of investments with Regency Centers. Pierce has 14 years of experience. Previously, he founded National Property Services. Bryant spent the past seven years as in-house counsel with Realty Income Corp. In addition, GBT promoted Chuck Varn to senior vice president of acquisitions and development, Alan Ray Brewer to vice president of development services and Preston Dial to assistant vice president of acquisitions and development. Varn previously worked as vice president, Brewer as development project manager and Dial as business development manager.
Colliers International hired Kevin James and Micha Bitton as senior vice presidents in its retail services group. James has more than 13 years of experience in commercial real estate. Over the course of his career, he closed more than $300 million in investment sales. Bitton has completed $150 million in transactions.
Present Value Properties Inc. appointed Shannon Labowitz-Coleman as an associate broker. In her new position, she will be responsible for managing and sourcing new retailer and landlord representation assignments. Labowitz-Coleman has 20 years of experience in retail real estate. In the past, she worked for ICI Development, Marketplace Properties and GVD Inc.