Category: Landlord Representation

F. Keene Miller, President of Brokerage with Ackerman & Co. was named President of the Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS (ACBR) for the 2017 term. Miller was sworn in during ACBR’s Annual Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony held at the InterContinental Hotel Buckhead on December 9th. The Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors, an instrumental factor in the growth of organized real estate in the state of Georgia since 1910, is the largest commercial realtor association in the country with more than 2,500 members.

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“Service above self is his motto,” said John O’Neill, senior managing director at Cushman & Wakefield, when describing Miller from the podium during the ceremony. “Keene is a consensus builder who leans in to get the job done,” he added. Miller will be the association’s 42^nd president.

Miller who believes in “never letting the moment be bigger than him” is committed to the ACBR’s continued efforts to increase diversity, offering higher education classes and advocating for the commercial real estate industry while supporting the communities in which they do business.

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The growing retail services division of Ackerman & Co. recently welcomed Courtney Brumbelow as Senior Vice President of Ackerman Retail. Brumbelow is charged with directing the leasing of Ackerman’s retail properties as well as the company’s third-party retail property assignments. Additionally, she will help facilitate the continued team effort to strengthen and expand Ackerman’s retail platform throughout the Southeast.

Brumbelow brings more than 18 years of commercial real estate experience to Ackerman Retail and has completed more than 365 real estate transactions in excess of $155 million.

Prior to joining Ackerman Retail, Brumbelow was Vice President of Leasing at Moonbeam Capital Investments, where she was responsible for overseeing a 3.5-million-square-foot portfolio of shopping centers, enclosed malls and offices. Brumbelow also worked as Director of Real Estate for Penn Hodge Properties, in charge of development, leasing and property management of their real estate portfolio.

“Courtney has a solid track record of driving strong results. She brings a tremendous amount of talent and experience to our team,” said Leo Wiener, President of Ackerman Retail.

The ABC’s of Ackerman takes flight with our first spotlight of the year. Ackerman & Co.’s 2015 Young Broker of the Year, Chandler Pope, recently sat down with us to discuss the growth of his commercial real estate career and shared some insight into his adventurous life.

A. First of all, congratulations on being named Ackerman’s Young Broker of the Year for 2015! Can you tell me about the goals you set at the beginning of 2015 and how you were able to achieve them?

It took a lot of hard work by staying disciplined, organized and focused on my business plan.  Some of my goals were networking, making a certain number of calls each week, staying up to date on commercial real estate news and researching and driving my market.

B. Let’s go back to the beginning. What brought you to Ackerman and how long have you been here?

I knew I wanted a career in the commercial real estate industry after I graduated from the University of Alabama in May of 2014.  I started networking with people in the industry and eventually met Douglas Biggs at Colliers International. He put me in contact with Ackerman’s President of Brokerage, Keene Miller.  I enjoyed meeting with Keene and the other brokers in the office. I accepted a position as an Associate in the Brokerage division in July of 2014.

C. You said that people were a big draw for you when you made the decision to join the brokerage What’s the best part of working at Ackerman?

The environment and definitely the people.  We have an outstanding work environment making it easy to accomplish tasks and stay focused on your business.  Everyone here is extremely supportive which makes for a great atmosphere.

D. Tell us a little bit about what you do you at Ackerman.

I provide brokerage services, specializing in tenant and landlord representation throughout Metro Atlanta.

E. What is the most exciting thing about commercial real estate?

Every day is different.  I enjoy meeting and interacting with a diverse range of people, scheduling and attending client tours and working on the entire transaction process from initial negotiations to move-in.

F. What advice do you have for someone trying to break into your field?

Choose a specialty and a market.  Become an expert in your market and make your presence known.  Develop a strategy, be disciplined, organized and stay focused.  Don’t let rejections slow you down.  Establish a professional relationship with everyone you meet.  Build credibility, relationships, and trust by treating everyone fairly and with respect.  Do what is in the best interest of your client and focus on their specific goals and needs by adding value.

Round two is the rapid fire round!

G. Tell us about some of your hobbies.

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I play a lot of basketball and I love to ski. I also play the guitar in my free time.

H. What’s something that surprises people about you?

Between 1994 and 2000, I have visited over 30 countries and lived overseas. In those six years, I spent four years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and two years in Santiago, Chile.

I. More than a lot of people do in their lifetime. For someone who’s done so much, what’s something that’s on your bucket list?

Sky diving was a big one that I’ve already check off, but I’d love to take it to the next level and base-jump one day.

J. Who has been the most important person in your life? Can you tell me about him or her?

My parents are the most important people in my life. They are very loving and supportive in everything I do.

For the summer installment of the ABC’s of Ackerman, we chatted with Bryan Davis, Vice President of Brokerage, and learned, aside from an exciting new landlord assignment, that he is quite nostalgic.

A. What brought you to Ackerman & Co.? 

One of my colleagues, Andy Sutton, joined Ackerman when our former company dissolved. I had recently completed a tenant deal with Ackerman and really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere here so I met with Keene [Miller] about possible employment and here we are five years later.

B. Can you tell us a little about what you do at Ackerman & Co.?

I provide brokerage services, specifically representing all types of tenants and buyers. I also represent medical landlords.

C. Speaking of landlords, we’ve heard you’re exclusively representing Ackerman’s latest medical development Hillandale Physician Place.

Yes, I am. Hillandale Physician Place is an exciting new medical development across from Dekalb Hillandale Medical Center. It’s a terrific opportunity for doctors looking to expand or locate in this area. Market response has been great; the building is already 50% leased and is set to open this summer.

D. What is the best part of working at Ackerman & Co.?

The people. We have a great group and I love the support I get from everyone from every area. Every person in the company is very approachable.

E. What are some of your hobbies?

In my free time I like to fish, work out, read, and definitely spend time with my family.

F. Family being so important, can you remember a favorite childhood memory?

During the summers, I loved going to Kansas City and Wichita to attend Royals and Chiefs games with my father. I still keep up with both teams and have saved all my old autographed footballs and baseballs.

G. What’s your favorite vacation spot?

The Rosewood Mayakoba Resort in Playa del Carmen Mexico is unreal.

H. Is there a book you would recommend everyone on the team read?

Yes. The Power of Focus by Mark Victor Hansen.

I. What do you find most exciting about commercial real estate? 

Interacting with so many different people from so many walks of life, no two situations are exactly the same.

J. What advice do you have for someone trying to break into your field? 

Don’t do it for the money. Do what you’re passionate about, stay committed and consistent; it will pay off.