Congratulations to Paul Mastio for being selected as one of New Orleans CityBusiness’ 2016 Money Makers!
CityBusiness’ Money Makers recognizes financial professionals whose fiscal work has set the pace for their company and the region. Honorees were selected based on industry and community involvement, and achievement through their energy and innovative ideas.
“CityBusiness commends its Money Makers for the professional standards they follow as well as for the new ones they are setting,” said Natalie Chandler, Editor of CityBusiness Magazine. “This year’s honorees have not only established their institutions as solid businesses but have also worked to provide help to the community where it’s needed the most.”
Paul Mastio has been a leader and integral part of Stirling Properties’ accounting team for the last 23 years. As CFO, he is responsible for all aspects of the company’s accounting & IT team, operations, processes, and reporting functions across our Gulf South service area.
“I’ve always been great with math and numbers, so when I got into the accounting field, I found it worked well for me,” he said. “I can really make a difference with analysis and reporting, and when I do a report for an owner or investor that saves them money, it feels good.”
Marty Mayer, Paul Mastio, Jeff Marshall
Paul’s role with Stirling Properties is crucial to our success and growth. He is passionate about the company and is always looking to make improvements, save money and assist in our development. “I really enjoy digging into financials or operations and helping the company to be more cost-effective,” he said. “Every day is a huge handbag of new and different tasks in accounting to solve, and that is what motivates me.”
Currently, he is working to implement new commercial transaction software that will simplify work processes for both commercial agents and employees. Paul notes, “I understand the back-end processes of software and how make it work for us so we can be more efficient, report information earlier, and pay our agents quicker. We also pay hundreds of vendors a month, and before, our workflow was condensed into two maddening days. When we changed to doing things electronically, it evened out the workflow so one person can handle it versus two or three. It makes a big impact on cost savings and productivities.”
Paul Mastio, Laura Wallace, Judy McKee, Doug Ferguson
He has successfully implemented two major accounting software conversions at Stirling Properties (PMAS and Yardi) which streamlined duties, ultimately saving time and money. He now serves as a member of the Yardi Property Management Systems Users Group and has guided other former PMAS users to the Yardi system. He is also a Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) from AICPA.
Paul is heavily involved in coordinating the annual Stirling Olympics fundraiser. He has also led company efforts to support many nonprofit events such as Northshore Heart Walk, Breast Cancer Walk and ALS Association.
He is directly affiliated with numerous nonprofit organizations, community groups and recreational clubs including ALS Association, Boy Scouts of America, Mandeville Soccer Club and Pelican Park, among many others. He’s volunteered with Habitat for Humanity on the build of three homes, and worked to build local community playgrounds.
Many people have contributed to Paul’s success along the way. “My father was a huge influence on me. Although he was the typical 70s and 80s dad, going to work and bringing home the bacon, he taught me a strong work ethic and to always work hard and do your best,” said Paul. “And all of the partners of Stirling Properties—past and present—have been a blessing in my life, teaching me the ropes of real estate and mentoring me throughout the years.”
When Paul isn’t working—or doing work for others—he attends (and coaches!) his kids’ sporting events. He has five children ages five to 17.
And a little fun fact…he is also building a Shelby Cobra from a kit. “I’ve wanted to build a car since I was 14 years old,” he said. “I’ve been following the industry, went to school to learn to build it, and now it’s finally arriving in my garage this December…..assuming my garage is built by then!”
We congratulate Paul on his tremendous accomplishments, and this much deserved award.
#StirlingProud
The Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Uncork the Cure Honors New Orleans’ Finest
Last Thursday, the Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation presented the 9th Annual Uncork the Cure fundraising event at The Cannery in New Orleans. More than 300 guests attended and sampled champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world, as well as food from some of New Orleans’ best restaurants.
For the second year, Uncork the Cure honored New Orleans’ Finest, a selected group of outstanding young professionals that show exemplary leadership, are active in their communities and have excelled in their profession. Stirling Properties’ very own Sales & Leasing Executive, Carly Plotkin, was among the honorees. In addition to her outstanding accomplishments, Carly raised more than $4,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!
“I am honored to be selected by the Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as one of New Orleans’ Finest, and to advocate for and advance the exceptional work that the Foundation does in our community,” said Plotkin. “This devastating disease hits close to home at Stirling Properties—three of our employees are directly affected by cystic fibrosis through family and friends.”
Brandon Gerak, Carly Plotkin, Saban Sellers, Lewis Stirling
Stirling Properties is a proud supporter of the Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Uncork the Cure. Funds raised by the event have helped spur dramatic progress in the lives of those affected by cystic fibrosis (CF). The disease causes debilitating lung infections that lead to premature death. It affects about 30,000 adults and children in the United States and 70,000 people worldwide.
“We still lose precious young lives to this disease every day. It’s more important than ever that we rally our community to fight CF,” said Executive Director Ashley Mills. “We are grateful for every sponsor, volunteer and donor who supports Uncork the Cure.”
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of Foundation support. Fifty years ago, most children with CF did not live long enough to attend elementary school. Today, people with CF are living into their 30s, 40s and beyond.
Congratulations, Carly, on being selected as one of New Orleans’ Finest and your support of the Louisiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!
#StirlingProud
Exit 16 and Rock N Roll Sushi Join Tenant Lineup at Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, Louisiana
Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. are pleased to announce and welcome new tenants to Phase II of Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, Louisiana.
Exit 16 women’s clothing boutique has leased 2,223 square feet of space and opened for business last weekend. This marks the 2nd retail location for the Mississippi-based company.
Rock N Roll Sushi will occupy 2,040 square feet of space and is also expected to open early next year. This is the 2nd Louisiana location for the sushi restaurant franchise.
Ryan Pécot, Stirling Properties’ Senior Retail Leasing & Development Executive, handled both transactions.
Previously announced, Albasha Greek & Lebanese Restaurant is still on track to open mid-November, and Smoothie King, Pacific Dental Services and Chipotle Mexican Grill are expected to open in the first quarter of 2017.
Fremaux Town Center, anchored by Dillard’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kohl’s and Best Buy, is a roughly 350-acre regional mixed-use development located at the southwest corner of Interstate 10 and Fremaux Avenue in Slidell, Louisiana. The center includes approximately 635,000 square feet of retail and restaurant options, as well as Springs at Fremaux Town Center’s 296 luxury residential apartment units, and Springhill Suites by Marriott now under construction. Additional phases are coming soon with added retail and office park.
Tenants include Albasha Greek & Lebanese Restaurant (coming late 2016), Allure Spa, Aveda, Bath & Body Works, Bellagio Nail Spa, Best Buy, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Books-A-Million, Buckle, Capital One, Carter’s, Charlotte Russe, Cheddar’s, Chico’s, Chipotle Mexican Grill (coming early 2017), Claire’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, dressbarn, Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria, Five Below, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Forever 21 Red, Francesca’s, GNC, Goodyear, Great American Cookie Company, Journeys, Kirkland’s, Kohl’s, LA Fitness, Lane Bryant, LensCrafters, LOFT, Longhorn Steakhouse, Luxe 83, Marble Slab, Massage Envy, Mattress Direct, Michaels, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, Pacific Dental Services (coming early 2017), Panera Bread, Payless Shoes, PetSmart, Pier 1 Imports, Rack Room Shoes, Red Robin, rue21, Smoothie King (coming early 2017), Sports Clips, Springhill Suites by Marriott (coming 2017), Starbucks, Tesla (charging stations), T.J.Maxx, Torrid, Ulta Beauty, Verizon Wireless, Versona, Victoria’s Secret, Which Wich and Zales.
Fremaux Town Center is currently 97% leased, and jointly owned by affiliates of CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. and Stirling Properties, LLC. Stirling and CBL manage and lease the property.
For leasing information, contact Ryan Pécot at 337.572.0246 / rpecot@stirlingprop.com or Tim Gilmore at 423.490.8358 / Tim.Gilmore@cblproperties.com.
Shreveport-Bossier City Retail Market Survey 2016 3rd Edition
Stirling Properties is pleased to present the 3rd annual Shreveport-Bossier City Retail Market Survey. This report, compiled by Stacy Odom and Karen Hannigan, Broker Associates of our Shreveport office, is intended to give the reader a broad understanding of the market as well as specific information about the available square footage, occupancy and rental rates of each retail center greater than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet. It was created to be a resource for agents as well as tenants, landlords, developers, lenders, fellow brokers and anyone else looking for information about the Shreveport-Bossier City retail market.
All information provided in this report would not be possible without the cooperation of our staff and colleagues and we would like to thank all of those who contributed.
Developers Break Ground on Nicholson Gateway in Baton Rouge
Stirling Properties was pleased to participate in the groundbreaking of Nicholson Gateway last week, a 28-acre mixed-use housing and retail development located on the northwest corner of Nicholson Drive and Skip Bertman Drive across from Tiger Stadium. The development will include a 1,700-bed student housing and athletic dormitory with study areas and green spaces, as well as roughly 50,000 square feet of university focused retail space.
Stirling Properties was selected as the retail developer and leasing broker on the project, working with the prime developer, Georgia-based RISE that specializes in student housing. Stirling Properties will also handle on-going retail property management.
“Stirling Properties is proud to be involved on the development team of Nicholson Gateway. This mixed-use project will not only enhance the LSU campus, but will provide an activity hub for students and visitors,” said Townsend Underhill, Stirling Properties Senior Vice President of Development. ”In addition, this growth is creating much needed on-campus student housing, new job opportunities and economic development for the area.”
Nicholson Gateway is expected to be open to students for the fall semester of 2018. The development will transform one of the largest remaining underdeveloped tracts of university property, turning an overlooked area into an exciting new corridor.
For leasing information, please contact Rhonda Sharkawy at rsharkawy@stirlingprop.com or (504) 620-8145; or Dottie Tarleton at dtarleton@stirlingprop.com or (225) 922-4253.
Stirling Properties Brokers Sale of 14-Acre Property To Athlos Academies in Terrytown, Louisiana
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce the sale of 14 acres of property to Athlos Academies for a new charter school that will be located at 979 Behrman Highway in Terrytown, Louisiana.
Athlos Academies is preparing to build a 90,000-square-foot facility, including state-of-the-art classrooms and fully-equipped indoor physical fitness centers with both hardwood court and turf field space. The tuition-free, public school—Athlos Academy of Jefferson Parish—plans to open in the fall of 2017 and will serve approximately 900 K-6 students in its first year.
“I am proud to bring this opportunity to students where I live on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish,” says Ben Bourgeois, chair of the Athlos Academy of Jefferson Parish governing board. “This school will not only impact students, it will also contribute to the economic development of the community. We’re grateful to the many local organizations that recognize this and have already offered their support.”
Athlos Academies purchased the property from the Beninate Family represented by Nick Beninate, Mary Landry and Kathy Trauth.
Stirling Properties’ Sales and Leasing Executive, Joe Gardner, handled the transaction and says he is delighted with such progress for the area.
“Over the last 18 months, the Beninate family has consummated deals with DaVita Dialysis Clinic, Dollar General and now Athlos Academy. It’s great to work with sellers who are prudent as well as motivated to finalize deals,” said Gardner.
Athlos Academy of Jefferson Parish provides a unique approach to teaching and learning. Its mission is to provide high quality educational opportunities for children by building on three foundational pillars: Prepared Mind, Healthy Body, and Performance Character. Students will participate in daily scientifically-developed physical activity sessions, develop performance character traits, and benefit from a research-based academic curriculum that results in high academic achievement for all.
“Education is an important part of expansion and economic growth for any area,” said Gardner. “There is strong consumer demand for good schools, and demand increases real estate values; neighborhoods grow and retailers follow. It is a win-win for everyone.”
Stirling Properties has been at the forefront of commercial real estate in South Louisiana and the Gulf South region, and is committed to bringing quality retailers, developments and tenants to the area. Stirling Properties currently manages more than 16 million square feet of property, with close to 114 million square feet of property and land for sale or lease, almost exclusively in Louisiana.
For sales and leasing information, contact Joe Gardner at (504) 620-8140 or jgardner@stirlingprop.com.
