President’s Message: Change and Progress
Our 40th year is now in full swing! Recently, we officially celebrated this milestone during our annual Stirling Honors recognition luncheon. My message for the day centered around Tony Robins’ quote “Change is Inevitable. Progress is Optional.” Stirling has survived and prospered over the years and it is clear that Stirling opted to choose progress. Here’s what 40 years looks like in a 4 minute video:[wpvideo k1cJ0dhf] During Stirling Honors, I also highlighted many of our recent achievements across the entire spectrum of our company:
- Commercial Brokerage: 2014 was a record year across all business lines – office, retail, industrial and investment sales – with volume up 65%!
- Magnolia Marketplace, New Orleans, LA: With partners JCH Development, we recently celebrated the grand opening on the site of a former housing project almost 10 years after Hurricane Katrina – significant not only for the location but the timing
- Ambassador Town Center, Lafayette, LA: Our 2nd joint venture with CBL is under construction with the official groundbreaking ceremony this month
- Fremaux Town Center, Slidell, LA: Phase I opened a year ago; Phase II is well underway with a scheduled October opening
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, Lake Charles, LA: Under construction with scheduled Summer opening
- Premier Centre, Mandeville, LA: Successfully landed our 1st Whole Foods deal, to open January 2016
- Offices at Mid-City Market, New Orleans, LA: Historic tax credit rehab adjacent to Mid-City Market, anchor Gallo Mechanical set to occupy and open by year end 2015
- Walgreens, Terrytown & Metairie, LA: Terrytown opened a year ago and was our first build-to-sell; fee development Metairie at Vets & Power Blvds is under construction
- Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge, LA: Awarded leasing and management contract last year; condos now on the market, new block of apartments available this summer, office activity is brisk and more retailers/deals in the works
- Ansley Place, Houma, LA: Acquired the 246-unit Class A luxury garden-style apartment complex for $27.3 Million last year
- Alabama/Florida Expansion: Since opening in Mobile less than 2 years ago, we have acquired John Toomey & Company Inc. in Mobile, opened a Pensacola office and expanded/consolidated the Mobile office into One St. Louis Centre in Downtown Mobile; totaling 34 employees/brokers and 2.5 million square feet managed
- Santa Rosa Mall, Mary Esther, FL: Recently awarded contract for leasing and property management of this 734,000 square-foot enclosed mall
Reflecting back on these accomplishments in light of the 40th anniversary of our company, it underscores the fact that change is most certainly inevitable and makes me proud that we have chosen the option to progress.
I know that the future will continue to present us with twists and turns and unexpected new challenges; however, I am confident that we will face these challenges with the knowledge that we have built a strong foundation, rooted solidly in values which are timeless, consistent and enduring.
Indeed change is inevitable…and at Stirling Properties progress is not optional!
VIDEO: 2013 Stirling Highlights
2013 was a great year for Stirling Properties…and for the Gulf South! Check out the accomplishments of the Gulf South region and our favorite company highlights of the year. The 1st Quarter 2014 has already been busy…we’re looking forward to what the rest of 2014 will bring.
Stirling Properties’ Commercial Agents among Top Producers at Annual CID Awards Ceremony
Stirling Properties’ commercial agents were honored during the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors Commercial Investment Division’s 21st annual awards banquet held Friday, April 4, 2014 at the Southern Yacht Club.
Leading the way was Rhonda Sharkawy, who received the F. Poche Waguespack Award for having the highest volume of sales and leases in the marketplace for the year. This is her fourth consecutive year to receive this honor and one of only a handful of women to achieve it since it was created back in 1964. Rhonda’s volume totaled more than $45 million as well as winning the award for most commercial transactions, with 83 in total for 2013.
In addition to celebrating the top producers and transactions of 2013, the awards ceremony also recognized commercial agents who passed the $2 million mark in sales. Also recognized was Gaines Seaman who received the Overall Top Office Producer Award with more than $14 million in volume and Joe Gardner who had the Top Dollar Retail Lease with a volume of over $5 million.
Stirling Properties Hires Ryan Juneau as Project Manager
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce the addition of Ryan Juneau as Project Manager.
In this position, Mr. Juneau will work in the Development Division overseeing new development, renovation and tenant build out projects, including construction management, tenant coordination, due diligence coordination and entitlement work amongst other duties.
Mr. Juneau brings with him over 10 years of experience in Acquisitions, Development and Project Management.
“We are very excited to welcome Ryan to the Stirling Development Team,” says Townsend Underhill, Senior Vice President of Development. “Ryan’s skillset and experience are very well suited to help grow and support our development efforts in the Gulf South. I believe that Ryan has the potential to have a significant impact on our organization.”
Mr. Juneau joins Stirling Properties from le Triomphe Property Group in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he was responsible for all property development.
A graduate of Louisiana State University, Mr. Juneau earned a Masters of Business Administration and currently resides in Baton Rouge with his wife, Jaci, and their two children.
Stirling Properties’ Chris Abadie and Dick Cyr Now Hold ICSC Professional Certifications
Chris Abadie
Dick Cyr
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce that Chris Abadie, Vice President and Manager of Commercial Brokerage, and Dick Cyr, Senior Project Manager, are now International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Certified professionals. Mr. Abadie is now an ICSC Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS) and Mr. Cyr is now an ICSC Certified Development, Design and Construction Professional (CDP).
ICSC estimates that less than 10% of industry professionals have achieved this important status, setting Mr. Abadie and Mr. Cyr, as well as Stirling Properties, apart from the rest.
With over 6,000 designees in 55 countries, ICSC certification programs are a mark of excellence. Certifications focus on raising industry professional standards worldwide and give special recognition to shopping center professionals who demonstrate the highest levels of competency in their industry through professional education, experience, ethics, and by passing a rigorous examination.
Stirling Properties’ Commercial Agents among Top Producers at Annual CID Awards Ceremony
Stirling Properties’ commercial agents were honored during the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors Commercial Investment Division’s 20th annual awards banquet held Friday, April 5, 2013 at the New Orleans Country Club.
Leading the way was Rhonda Sharkawy, who received the F. Poche Waguespack Award for having the highest volume of sales and leases in the marketplace for the year. Rhonda’s volume for 2012 included 72 deals and totaled more than $25 million. This is her third consecutive year to receive this honor and one of only a handful of women to achieve it since it was created back in 1964.
In addition to celebrating the top producers and transactions of 2012, the awards ceremony also recognized commercial agents who passed the $2 million mark in sales. Also recognized was Gaines Seaman who received the Overall Top Office Producer Award with more than $18 million in volume and Joe Gardner who eclipsed the $2 million for the first time with a volume of $4.6 million.
