Stirling Properties Highlights Leading Ladies In Commercial Real Estate!
Last month, several Team Stirling Properties members were acknowledged and awarded for their successes and contributions to the Gulf South commercial real estate industry.
Melissa Warren, CCIM, Sales & Leasing Executive, was selected by the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® (NOMAR) Commercial Investment Division (CID) as a member of its governing Board of Directors. Warren is one of only three women to hold this post. She will assume the position on January 1, 2018, and serve for a two-year term.
Warren has provided commercial real estate advisory services for more than 16 years, with a focus on industrial, office, and retail sales and leasing, as well as tenant and landlord representation. She was awarded the Top Producer Ruby Award by the Gulf Coast Association of Realtors (GCAR) for completing the largest number of commercial transactions on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and inducted into the Top Producer Round Table for lifetime achievement. She is a graduate of Mississippi State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree. She is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), NOMAR CID, CCIM Institute, Louisiana Chapter of CCIM, and ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers).
Carly Plotkin, Sales & Leasing Executive, was awarded a $1,500 NOMAR CID Education Scholarship. The scholarships are designed to help individual CID members increase their knowledge and education in the fields of commercial and industrial real estate. The scholarship may be applied to courses from many different providers (i.e., CCIM, SIOR, IREM, LR, UNO, etc). She is one of only three recipients awarded this year.
Plotkin joined Stirling Properties in 2016. Her primary focus is on tenant and landlord representation, as well as a strong interest in the retail and hospitality market. She has worked with national, regional, and local clients in both marketing and leasing capacities. She was the recipient of the 2017 “Rising Star Award” at the NOMAR CID Annual Achievement Awards ceremony. She is an active member of ICSC and holds the position of Next Generation State Chair for Louisiana. She is also a member of the Retail Brokers Network (RBN), and serves as RBN’s NextGen Southeast Committee Chair. Plotkin is a graduate of Tulane University with a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Behavior/Marketing and Management.
Rhonda Sharkawy, Senior Retail Leasing & Development Executive, was recognized in New Orleans CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Network’s member spotlight for the month of November. New Orleans CREW Network is the premier commercial real estate association in the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area for women from all disciplines of commercial real estate.
Sharkawy joined Stirling Properties in 1998, and has commercial experience working with new retail developments, redevelopments, and leasing of existing shopping centers. In addition, she represents over a dozen national retailers throughout Louisiana. She is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans with a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree in Land & Real Estate Development. She also completed coursework for a master’s degree in Construction Science from Texas A&M University. Sharkawy is active in ICSC and serves on Loyola University’s Board of Trustees. She has been inducted into the National Association of REALTORS® Commercial Hall of Fame for having the highest volume of transactions in the marketplace for at least 5 years. She is one of only three inductees in the Hall of Fame, and the only woman to achieve this distinguished honor.
These women are truly leaders in the commercial real estate industry and are serving as trailblazers for others in the business. A recent study commissioned by CREW Network tracks 10 years of progress for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. The report found that women in commercial real estate are more satisfied with their career progression than they were a decade ago, a substantial leap for the industry. Successes included more women filling senior vice president, managing director, and partner positions—even women starting their own real estate companies. Women in commercial real estate have achieved equal or close-to-equal standing as men in many aspects. (Read the full report HERE.)
While there is still much work to do, progress is happening. We are proud of our Stirling Properties’ team and all the women who are making a difference in commercial real estate!
#StirlingProud
National Association of REALTORS® Selects Bradley Cook For Research Committee
Stirling Properties’ Sales and Leasing Executive, Bradley Cook, has been selected by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as a Member at Large on its Research Committee. He will assume the position on December 1st of this year and serve through November 30th of 2018.
The NAR Research Committee focuses on market conditions in the real estate industry as well as developments in the general economy. It identifies topics on which research and information are needed in order to improve the productivity and profitability of REALTOR® firms, state associations, and local boards, and determines how that data can best be utilized.
The committee holds multiple meetings throughout the year and garners national and regional market data from its respective members to determine industry activity, trends, or topics that need to be the focus for legislative and/or lobbying efforts.
The goals of the 2018 Research Committee include the completion of an in-depth review of current major research reports and advise on needed changes or adjustments; identify new trends/issues related to the real estate industry and provide research support; and explore and develop improved methods of dissemination of, and ease the access to, research for members and stakeholders.
“I am excited to gain the insight that this committee will provide,” said Cook. “The opportunity to receive national and regional industry data, and to help the committee make critical decisions on the proper path forward for our industry is a tremendous responsibility.”
Cook is a member of Stirling Properties’ Commercial Brokerage Division and works from the company’s Northshore office located in Covington, Louisiana. His primary focus includes industrial, urban core, and land development as well as tenant representation in the retail and office markets. He has worked with numerous landlord and tenant clients from multiple industries including fitness, film, a micro-brewery start-up in the Baton Rouge market, and is the lead broker for Louisiana’s premier future industrial mega-site development.
He is a member of both the East and West St. Tammany Chambers of Commerce, the Louisiana CCIM Chapter, the Commercial Investment Division of the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors, and the National Association of REALTORS®. Cook holds a commercial real estate license in Missouri, Kansas, and Louisiana and is a CCIM candidate.
The National Association of Realtors is America’s largest trade association, representing over 1.2 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.
Bradley Cook can be reached at (985) 246-3720 or bcook@stirlingprop.com.
Ryan Juneau Earns Certified Retail Property Executive (CRX) Credential
Stirling Properties’ Asset Manager, Ryan Juneau, has earned the ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) Certified Retail Property Executive (CRX) credential.
With designees in 50 countries, ICSC’s certification programs raise the industry’s professional standards globally, and distinguish retail real estate professionals who demonstrate the highest levels of competency in their specialty as proven through solid professional education, experience, ethics, and the passing of a rigorous examination.
ICSC grants CRX certification in recognition of mastering retailing and retail property knowledge related to the performance, profitability, and executive leadership of industry organizations. Only a select group of senior executive leaders are awarded CRX designations each year.
Juneau is a member of Stirling Properties’ Asset & Property Management Division where he is responsible for ancillary development and construction, property operations, leasing, financing, financial reporting, and investor relations for internally owned, joint venture, and third-party managed assets. His portfolio includes both newly opened and mature shopping centers and office buildings in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and Slidell, Louisiana, as well as overseeing management of the PMAT Companies’ portfolio of shopping centers across the southeast and mid-west.
“Congratulations to Ryan for earning the CRX certification. He has a proven record of experience, success, and knowledge—and now joins an elite group of executive professionals in the retail real estate industry,” said Marty Mayer, President & CEO with Stirling Properties. “Stirling Properties is proud to have him as part of our Asset & Property Management team.”
Juneau holds a degree in Finance/Real Estate and graduated from the Executive MBA Program at Louisiana State University. He also achieved the designation of ICSC’s Certified Development, Design, and Construction Professional (CDP). He is active in the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Board of Directors for GaitWay Therapeutic Horsemanship.
Ryan Juneau can be reached at rjuneau@stirlingprop.com or (225) 329-0263.
Stirling Properties Third Annual Christmas Bazaar
Stirling Properties Third Annual Christmas Bazaar is this Friday, November 17 from 11:00AM – 2:00PM at the Northpark Corp. Lobby in Covington, Louisiana.
The Bazaar will feature local vendors selling various items including: Holiday Décor, Mary Kay, Personalized Gifts, Paintings, Handmade Organic Wheat Bags, Beaded Jewelry, Pen Flower Bouquets, Wood Signs, LuLaRoe, Handmade Kitchen Towels & Totes, Etched Glass, Rodan & Fields, Ornaments, Jewelry, Southern Inspired Decor & Accessories, and much more!
In addition to getting a head start in your holiday shopping, make sure you bring your sweet tooth because we will have a bake sale with tasty treats. All items will be $1! We will also be selling Jambalaya Lunches for $5.00.
All vendors have provided an item for raffle. Raffle tickets are $1 each and you can win one of over 20 prizes!
All proceeds from the bake sale, lunch and raffle will be donated to the Volunteers of America’s Christmas Family Program.
Last year’s Bake Sale and Raffle raised nearly $2,000 which was donated in full to Volunteers of America’s Greater New Orleans’ Christmas Family Program! We hope to raise even more this year. Please come out on Friday at 11AM to help support this worthy cause.
Stirling Properties is committed to supporting the communities where we live and work, and we will continue to support local nonprofits, community groups and charitable organizations throughout the year and beyond. #StirlingProud
Major Economic Win for the Greater New Orleans Region
DXC Technology to create 2,000 high-paying jobs.
The greater New Orleans region is celebrating a monumental economic win with the announcement that DXC Technology will establish a Digital Transformation Center in New Orleans’s Central Business District. (The site location will be finalized and announced soon.) The new Digital Transformation Center is expected to create 2,000 permanent high-paying jobs over the next seven years, and an annual payroll exceeding $133 million by 2025. This marks one of the largest economic development deals in the history of Louisiana.
DXC Technology is a new business venture resulting from the merger of Computer Sciences Corp (CSC) and the Enterprise Services business of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)—and is a global leader in IT services.
This deal has been in the works for a very long time, and yesterday, New Orleans Mayor Landrieu, along with many government and community officials, economic development organizations, and higher education leaders brought the project to fruition. The Digital Transformation Center was heavily competed for but New Orleans emerged as the front-runner on a short list of great cities across the country.
As New Orleans approaches its 300th anniversary, this is truly a significant milestone for the city. This economic development win is yet another testament to the emergence of New Orleans as one of the top cities for young professionals to work, and reinforces the momentum of our area as a major technology hub.
This is an exciting time for New Orleans. We have celebrated many economic successes and accomplishments over the last several years, and this is just the beginning. Stirling Properties is proud to be a part of this thriving region!
Learn more about the announcement from LED (Louisiana Economic Development).
Stirling Properties Is Stepping Up To The Plate
Team members lead fundraising efforts to support The Miracle League Northshore
We are gearing up for the First Annual Miracle League Radio-thon that will be held on Tuesday, November 14th from 7am-7pm on the Lake 94.7! The event will celebrate a day of fundraising by community businesses and partners who are stepping up to the plate to help The Miracle League Northshore build its first playing field that will provide mentally and physically disabled children and young adults with a safe playing environment. The special field will be able to accommodate wheelchairs and other walking-assistance devices that, along with appropriate support facilities, is designed specifically for use by individuals with disabilities.
Team Stirling members—Bradley Cook, Sales & Leasing Executive, and Griffin Lennox, Investment Sales Analyst—have been active volunteers and ambassadors with The Miracle League, and are leading our company’s charge to support the organization.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to be cheered on and rooted for, and The Miracle League opens up that chance for so many children and young people with all types of special needs,” said Cook. “Since I started working with special needs individuals, I have learned that every heart has the same emotions and desires, regardless of physical capability. I have connected with and developed true friendships with some of the participants that I have had the pleasure to know and coach over the years. No other place do I personally feel as honored and accepted as when I am with these kids.”
Lennox also serves as a “buddy” for participants with The Miracle League to help encourage learning and fun in sports. “I have had the honor of working with several organizations that focus on creating opportunities for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities, but none quite like The Miracle League. I live and breathe sports, and The Miracle League gives me a place where I can combine my love of sports with my desire to contribute to the mission of amazing organizations like this one. I can’t really describe the environment. The excitement and determination you see on our players’ faces is truly inspirational,” said Lennox.
Last year, Stirling Properties selected The Miracle League as the beneficiary of our annual Stirling Olympics fundraiser. Through the event, we were able to raise $28,000 for the organization to help fund the construction of the new playing field. Our contributions helped to push the organization over the halfway mark to move forward with the project—and we are committed to seeing it through to completion!
Stirling Properties is sponsoring a 30 minute on-air timeslot during The Miracle League Radio-thon where company representatives will be apprising the community of the great things that we are doing in commercial real estate across our region, while also raising funds for the new field. You can help us reach our goal by tuning in and making a donation! Listen on the Lake 94.7 FM (St. Tammany Parish and surrounding areas) or stream the station live. To learn more about The Miracle League or to make an online donation, visit their website. (Donation checks should be made out to The Miracle League Northshore. Please notate “Stirling” in the memo line. Payment can be mailed to: The Miracle League Northshore, 13505 Hwy. 1085, Covington, LA 70433.)
The Miracle League works to provide disabled children and young adults, regardless of their level of disability, the opportunity to play league games and enjoy the emotional and physical benefits of being part of a team. The mission of Miracle League of Greater New Orleans and The Miracle League North Shore is to promote the health and well-being of children with disabilities, provide opportunities for non-disabled children to learn about and interact with children with disabilities, and develop community awareness and support for the child athlete with disabilities through organized sports leagues.
#StirlingProud
