We are Evolving!
Stirling Properties celebrates 20th Annual Stirling Honors.
Stirling Properties celebrated its 20th Annual Stirling Honors last Friday at the beautiful NOPSI Hotel in New Orleans. The yearly event recognizes and distinguishes the successes of Team Stirling and the company over the past year. A Commercial Celebration was also held to honor the Commercial Brokerage Division and to grant Commercial Production Awards.
To kick off the morning, Dancing Grounds performed an outstanding tribute to New Orleans in honor of the city’s 300th Anniversary with African drums and a second line rendition. The overarching theme of the day was EVOLUTION. Much like the City of New Orleans, Stirling Properties—and the entire commercial real estate industry—has evolved over the years to keep pace with the changing landscape.
Stirling Properties’ President & CEO, Marty Mayer, served as the event emcee for the day and encouraged team members to think about how technology and industry advancements will continue to impact the company moving forward. “Our industry is changing, the way we communicate and position ourselves is changing, technology is changing… and as a result, the way we do business is evolving. It’s imperative that we are proactive and adaptable,” said Mayer.
He went on to say, “We don’t know exactly what the future holds, but we can be certain it will hold significant transformation. I challenge each of you to be creative and explore new and innovative opportunities. We will need fundamental change to get from where we are now to where we need to be—and it will take all of us working together as a team to get there.”
Zach Strief, Former New Orleans Saint
Former New Orleans Saint, Zach Strief, closed out the program with an inspirational message on the importance of supporting and giving back to our community. He shared his love for New Orleans and his passion for philanthropy through numerous local nonprofit organizations including Café Reconcile, Team Gleason, and Dream Big Foundation. At the end of his presentation, Stirling Properties presented Strief with a $5,000 donation in support of Team Gleason.
The Team Stirling awards ceremony was held in the afternoon. Jan Kinard, Roslyn Rogers, and Jeff Barnes were acknowledged as recipients of Stirling Properties’ most prestigious honor, the Exceeding Excellence Award, presented for extraordinary employee actions that exemplify the values necessary to further the success of the company. Exceeding Excellence Award recipients are nominated and selected by their co-workers. Commercial Division Award recipients received recognition for Bronze, Silver, Platinum, Diamond, and Ruby production levels based on individual adjusted gross commissions from 2017. Special acknowledgment was also given to Rhonda Sharkawy, Senior Retail Leasing and Development Executive in New Orleans, for achieving the Top Commercial Producer Award—this is the 4th consecutive year she has earned this accolade.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a great day of inspiration, company insight, delicious food, and camaraderie!
COMMERCIAL DIVISION AWARDS
Ruby Award
Diamond Award
Platinum Award
Gold Award
Silver Award
Bronze Award
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Also recognized were employees and agents who achieved special anniversaries with the company. Service Awards were given for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 35-year milestones.
SERVICE AWARDS
5 Years of Service: Mike Alexander – Lafayette, Karen Bachemin – Covington, Mac Bauer – New Orleans, Ryan Juneau – Baton Rouge, Samantha Marshall – Covington, Karen McElroy – Shreveport, Stacy Odom – Shreveport, Mel Sayler—Covington, Mike Seago – Gulfport, Denise Tatum – Baton Rouge, Kelly Vargas – Westpark, Kelly Wellmeyer – Covington, Robin Zemke – New Orleans
10 Years of Service: Seth Citron – Lafayette, Kayla Davis – Covington, Joe Gardner – New Orleans, Justin Landry – Covington, Reid Richardson – Covington, Gaines Seaman – New Orleans, Townsend Underhill – Covington
15 Years of Service: Will Barrois – Mobile, Mike McDougall – Covington, Cyndie Quave – Covington, Sonia Shoemaker – New Orleans, Ashlee White – Covington
20 Years of Service: Beth Cristina – New Orleans and Rhonda Sharkawy – New Orleans
25 Years of Service: Paul Mastio – Covington and Harold Staub – New Orleans
35 Years of Service: Grady Brame – Covington
National Association of REALTORS® Selects Beth Cristina as Commercial Committee Chair
Stirling Properties’ Senior Broker Associate, Beth Cristina, ALC, has been selected as the 2018 Commercial Committee Chair for the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). She assumed the role on January 1, 2018, and will serve for a one-year term.
The Commercial Committee’s purpose is to identify, monitor, review, analyze, and recommend policies addressing commercial real estate industry issues and trends, with a focus on affecting business solutions that help members achieve their business goals more effectively.
“Beth’s role on the committee will help to bring value and benefit to the association’s 1.3 million members, the nation’s 75 million real estate property owners, and the numerous individuals striving to achieve homeownership,” said Elizabeth Mendenhall, 2018 NAR President, who made the appointment. “I know Beth cares deeply about our profession, our industry, and the clients we serve, and she will help to guide us forward; I am proud to have her serve as Commercial Committee Chair.”
As Committee Chair, Cristina will help to advance the organization’s 2018 goals, which include involving committee members in outreach with large brokerage firms to increase brand awareness and membership; developing commercial member testimonials on the value of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC); and working with NAR Consumer Communications Committee to increase the amount of advertising relating to commercial brokerage.
“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to take on this leadership role. I’m honored to serve on NAR’s Commercial Committee and to contribute to the decision-making process and help shape the direction of the association and its policies,” said Cristina. “Volunteering is crucial for the future of our business. President Ronald Regan said it best ‘The work of volunteer groups throughout our country represents the very heart and soul of America. They have helped make this the most compassionate, generous, and humane society that ever existed on the face of this earth.’”
Cristina has over thirty-eight years of successful experience in commercial real estate sales, leasing, development, and investments. Her qualifications include retail and office market analysis, tenant/landlord and purchaser/seller representation, marketing sales, leasing strategies, and consulting services. She has earned numerous awards and recognition throughout her career, including Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Real Estate, Realtor of the Year, and Woman of the Year.
Most recently, she served as the 2017 NAR Commercial Committee Vice-Chair. She is also affiliated with several business and professional organizations, including Realtor Land Institute (RLI); Louisiana Realtors (LR), where she served as 2015 President; New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors (NOMAR), where she served as 2005 President; and Commercial Investment Division (CID) of NOMAR, where she served as President for 2000 and 2008.
The National Association of REALTORS® is America’s largest trade association, representing over 1.3 million members, including NAR’s institutes, societies, and councils, involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. Membership is composed of residential and commercial realtors who are brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors, and others engaged in the real estate industry.
Beth Cristina can be reached at (504) 620-8127 or bcristina@stirlingprop.com.
GBRAR Names Scott Macdonald as CID President
Scott Macdonald
Baton Rouge, LA Office
The Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® (GBRAR) has named Scott Macdonald, Stirling Properties’ Senior Sales & Leasing Executive, as 2018 President of its Commercial Investment Division (CID). Scott will hold the position for a one-year term.
The GBRAR CID is the oldest local commercial real estate organization in Louisiana. The CID exists to unite those involved in the commercial and investment real estate business; to foster knowledge, education, integrity, professionalism and quality workmanship in this field of real estate; and to encourage the exchange of specialized information among the members.
As president, Macdonald will be responsible for providing leadership, fiduciary oversight, and strategic planning for the CID. He will act as a representative in the community, speak on behalf of, and advocate for the organization, as well as work to create opportunities for CID leaders to be connected to their work and committed to the organizations’ mission, values, and goals.
Macdonald’s priority focus for 2018 is to increase the CID membership through offering informative educational courses geared to the commercial real estate sector. Macdonald commented, “We currently have over 200 real estate professionals involved, but I would like to see that number increase this year by focusing on events for members that incorporate a mixture of continuing education with social events.”
“It’s an honor to have been elected as president of the CID this year. One thing I have learned is that leadership is a relationship. When you have a good relationship with others, you work more effectively—you share a common goal and a consistent purpose,” said Macdonald. “I hope to build upon the relationships I have developed to advance the interests of our members and our industry as a whole.”
Macdonald is a member of Stirling Properties’ Commercial Brokerage Division for the Baton Rouge office. His focus is on office and industrial leasing and sales. He has more than 18 years of commercial real estate experience and a background that includes the negotiation and successful closing of over $550 million in leasing/sale transactions. Macdonald is an active member of GBRAR and previously served on the Board of Directors as CID President-Elect in 2017.
The Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® serves more than 2,200 REALTOR® and Affiliate members. GBRAR is affiliated with the Louisiana Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®, and works to provide its members with the tools they need to remain successful. GBRAR serves East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Livingston, Iberville, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, Ascension, Point Coupee, and St. Helena Parishes.
Scott Macdonald can be reached at smacdonald@stirlingprop.com or (225) 201-0142.
Retail Brokers Network (RBN) Names Chris Abadie 2018 President
The Retail Brokers Network (RBN), one of the nation’s largest retail real estate networking groups, has selected Chris Abadie, Stirling Properties’ Vice President & Manager of Commercial Brokerage, as its 2018 President. He assumed office on January 1, 2018 and will serve for a one-year term.
As President, Abadie will be responsible for helping grow the RBN brand, representing RBN at industry related events, recruiting new RBN brokerage offices, and facilitating education, networking, and sharing of brokerage “Best Practices” between the 65+ RBN member offices.
This year, RBN plans to expand the organization by adding affiliated members in major metropolitan markets, as well as in underserved markets across North America. Also, it plans to increase business for members through the coast to coast platform.
“I am honored to have been chosen to serve as RBN President for 2018 and to support our mission of growth for the organization,” said Abadie. “With the dynamic changes to retail real estate across the country, it is more important than ever to have trusted advisors who are the experts in their fields and the geography in which they operate. At RBN, we are fortunate to have a powerful network of independent brokerage companies to rely on. Through that network, our members can offer adept guidance on the real estate needs of clients locally, regionally, and nationally.”
Abadie manages Stirling Properties’ Commercial Brokerage Division and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of commercial operations throughout each of the company’s brokerage offices. His focus includes directing sales efforts, new business development, and recruitment and training of new agents.
Abadie is affiliated with ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) and holds the designations of Certified Retail Property Executive (CRX), Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS), and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). He is a member of the Louisiana CCIM Chapter, the Commercial Investment Division (CID) of the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors (NOMAR), and RBN.
He served as the 2017 President-Elect of RBN and as a member of the National Executive Committee, Tenant Council, Investment Sales Council, and Southeast Regional Council. Abadie also serves on the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as well as the Workforce Development Board serving St. Tammany, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines Parishes.
Stirling Properties Lets the Good Times Roll!
Celebrates Team Members At Annual Stirling Honors Event
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company recently celebrated its 18th Annual Stirling Honors to recognize the successes and accomplishments of Team Stirling over the past year. The Stirling Honors luncheon was held at Fulton Alley in New Orleans. A Commercial Celebration Dinner was also organized to honor Commercial Agents and to grant Commercial Production Awards at The Chicory in New Orleans.
Tim Williamson, President of NOLA Media Group
Stirling Properties employees were treated to a reinvigorating day of motivational messages, great food, team-building interaction, and, of course, bowling! Tim Williamson, President of NOLA Media Group, delivered the keynote address. REINVENTION was the overall theme of the day, inspiring the activities throughout. Marty Mayer, Stirling Properties President & CEO, served as the event host and emcee and discussed the need for a company to continually reinvent itself to grow and stay relevant in an ever-changing industry. Playing off the adage, “When nothing is sure, anything is possible,” he stressed that amidst the backdrop of such uncertainty in the business climate, we must be innovative and transform our strategic process to create new opportunities for progress. 
Robin Hayles and Ellen McCain were acknowledged as recipients of Stirling Properties’ most prestigious honor, the Exceeding Excellence Award, for extraordinary employee actions and innovations that better the company. Exceeding Excellence Award recipients are nominated and selected by their co-workers. Commercial Award recipients received recognition for Bronze, Silver, Platinum, Diamond and Ruby production levels based on individual Adjusted Gross Commission figures for 2016. Special acknowledgment was given to Rhonda Sharkawy, Senior Retail Leasing and Development Executive in New Orleans, for being the Top Commercial Agent in 2016!
COMMERCIAL DIVISION AWARDS
Ruby Award:
Emerald Award:
Diamond Award:
Platinum Award:
Gold Award:
Silver Award:
Bronze Award:
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Also recognized were employees and agents who achieved special anniversaries with the company. Service Awards were given for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40-year milestones. A special presentation was prepared for Judy McKee, Vice-President of Human Resources, who celebrated 40 years of service with the company!
SERVICE AWARDS
5 Years of Service Jason Babin – Southpark Storage Roger Bajon – Covington, LA Office John Berges – New Orleans, LA Office Carolyn Ciarrocchi – Lafayette, LA Office Scott Macdonald – Baton Rouge, LA Office 10 Years of Service Carri Creel – Covington, LA Office Lindsey Palmer – Covington, LA Office Dawn Plaisance – Covington, LA Office Debra Sebastian – Metairie, LA Office Tara Slater – Covington, LA Office 15 Years of Service Rhonda Creel – Covington, LA Office Patrick Malik – Covington, LA Office Ellen McCain – Covington, LA Office Ryan Pecot – Lafayette, LA Office Jeanne Taravella – Covington, LA Office 20 Years of Service Charles Cornay – Lafayette, LA Office Bonnie Hoover – Metairie, LA Office 25 Years of Service John Arthurs – New Orleans, LA Office 30 Years of Service Marty Mayer – Covington, LA Office 35 Years of Service Donna Derokey – Covington, LA Office Michele Wallace – Covington, LA Office 40 Years of Service Judy McKee – Covington, LA Office
Retail Brokers Network (RBN) Names Chris Abadie As New President Elect
Stirling Properties’ Vice President and Manager of Commercial Brokerage, Chris Abadie, has been named 2017 President Elect of the Retail Brokers Network (RBN). He will assume the position on January 1, 2017.
The Retail Brokers Network (RBN), one of the nation’s largest retail real estate networking groups, announced the formation of the new Executive Committee to help facilitate RBN’s ongoing operations. The announcement was made following the organization’s mid-year meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Executive Committee will be responsible for overseeing the Tenant, Restaurant and Investment Sales Councils as well as the Regional Directors, marketing RBN to customers and new member offices, implementing systems to increase activity within the network, financial management, and planning RBN’s participation in ICSC RECon.
“I am honored to serve as President Elect of the Retail Brokers Network,” said Abadie. “I am confident that my experience and professional knowledge give me the skill set to help position RBN as a valuable tool for its members and clients, and help them succeed in all their real estate needs and goals.”
Abadie has more than 16 years of experience in commercial real estate. Previously a Retail and Investment Sales Broker, his current focus at Stirling Properties includes directing sales efforts, new business development, recruitment and training of new agents. Abadie holds the designations of Certified Retail Property Executive (CRX), Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS), and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM).
He is an active affiliate in the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the Louisiana CCIM Chapter, and the Commercial Investment Division of the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors (CIDNOMAR). Abadie is also an active member of RBN, serving as a member of the National Executive Committee, as well as representing Stirling Properties on the Tenant, Investment Sales, and Southeast Region Councils. Upon serving as President Elect next year, Abadie is slated to assume the role of President in 2018.
According to Debbie Currier, President of RBN, “The RBN network represents over 600 retail specialists across the US that help individuals and companies meet their real estate goals locally and nationally and our newly formed Executive Committee will provide the leadership structure that will help make RBN even more successful as we continue to grow.” She added, “I’m thrilled to welcome the Executive Committee members and I’m eager to work with them to accomplish our goals for 2017.”
Members of the new Executive Committee are former Regional or Council Directors that have an in-depth knowledge of the organization. The members of the 2017 committee are:
President – Debbie Currier
Currier Properties – Charlotte, North Carolina
President Elect – Chris Abadie
Stirling Properties – Covington, Louisiana
VP Operations – Tom Bruss
Commercial Property Associates – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
VP Marketing & Communications – Brad Umansky
Progressive Real Estate Partners – Rancho Cucamonga, California
VP Finance – Bryan Holt
Southpace Properties – Birmingham, Alabama
Secretary – Rob Samtman
Equity Retail Brokers – Plymouth Meeting, Philadelphia
Immediate Past President – Chuck Lanyard
The Goldstein Group – Paramus, New Jersey
