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Profiles of this year’s Power Leaders in Real Estate and Power Brokers in Residential and Commercial Real Estate revealed as much about the individuals as they did the South Florida market.
From the economic turmoil dating back to the Great Recession through the fallout of the pandemic and the current high interest rates that create an undercurrent of uncertainty, these real estate professionals have proven themselves as resilient as the market they work and live in.
They are bullish, optimistic and focused on creating communities that help elevate South Florida’s built environment and its residents’ quality of life.
Their commitment to quality and focus on the future – including delivery of much-needed workforce housing – helps drive the region’s shared prosperity. In short, it’s what makes them Power Leaders and Power Brokers.
Jordan Beck
Senior VP, Berger Commercial Realty
Fort Lauderdale
Beck specializes in leasing and sales of commercial properties in South Florida. He provides a full range of real estate services, including the representation of owners of office and industrial properties. One of his latest deals was the sale of 2700 Gateway Drive in Pompano Beach.
Birthplace: Hallandale Beach
Education: Bachelor’s degree, finance, University of South Florida
I went into real estate because: It is an industry where your results are almost 100% correlated to your efforts.
The deal that made me: The off-market sale of the Murvest building to Acme Smoked Fish for almost $400 a square foot.
Advice for proteges: Do what you say you are going to do, and when you say you will have it done by.
First job: Leasing apartments in my college apartment complex
Latest binge: “The Sopranos”
Most grateful for: My family
Bucket list: A Miami Dolphins Super Bowl
www.bergercommercial.com, jbeck@bergercommercial.com, 954-652-2033
John K. Crotty
Principal, Capital Markets Group, Consulting & Advisory, Avison Young
Miami
After a career in the NBA and and 13 years operating summer youth basketball camps, Crotty completed an NBA-sponsored internship at the New York Stock Exchange before working with Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. His pivot to real estate advisor has scored more than $2 billion in transactions in South Florida and nationwide for such teammates as Bank of America, BBVA Compass, LNR, KTR Capital, BBX Capital and others.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, history, University of Virginia
www.avisonyoung.com, john.crotty@avisonyoung.com, 305-446-0011
Lucia Custer
Executive VP, NAI Miami | Fort Lauderdale
Doral
Custer has been active in the industrial and commercial real estate industry since 1997. In 2001, she founded Power House Realty. Among the projects she’s been involved in are Miami International Parkway, a 52-acre, mixed-use industrial park in Doral; and the ground lease and later sale of a property at 87th Avenue and 25th Street.
Education: Degree, business administration, Broward College; degree, architectural design and planning, Instituto Tecnologico de Arquitectura; international business, ICI and SENA; architecture, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
www.naimiami.com, lcuster@naimiami.com, 786-433-0308
Andres del Corral
Executive VP, Blanca Commercial Real Estate
Miami
A commercial Realtor with more than 25 years’ experience, del Corral has been involved in the successful leasing of trophy assets, represented notable local and international tenants, and sold various types of investment properties.
Birthplace: Miami
Education: B.A., communications, Boston University; MBA, real estate, Florida International University
I went into real estate because: I covered as a broker’s assistant for a friend and never looked back.
The deal that made me: When I signed my contract with Blanca Commercial Real Estate
South Florida’s next hot market: South Miami around Sunset Place has tons of untapped potential.
First job: Production assistant on the game show “Fear Factor”
Latest binge: “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” on Netflix
Most grateful for: My family
www.blancacre.com, andres.delcorral@blancacre.com
David Duckworth
Principal, Avison Young
Fort Lauderdale
In a 24-year career, Duckworth has sold billions of dollars’ worth of properties. His team recently completed the sale of three properties totaling $64 million. His financial background and marketing expertise allows him to help clients achieve top-of-market pricing when selling their assets.
Education: B.A., finance, Florida International University
How AI will change real estate: AI will change how large companies provide administrative support for their brokers.
The deal that made me: The Great Recession allowed me to shift from leasing to investment sales.
What recently surprised me about real estate: When institutional equity return requirements change, it ripples through the market faster than any other factor.
First job: I joined the Marine Corps right out of high school.
Latest binge: “True Detective: Night Country”
Most grateful for: Family, friends, business partners and the U.S.
www.avisonyoung.com, 954-938-1806
Brian Gale
Vice chairman, Cushman & Wakefield
Miami
Gale has overseen the signing of leases totaling over 18 million square feet with a value of nearly $3 billion. He currently represents over 8 million square feet of office space in South Florida. His team is NAIOP’s 2023 Brokerage Team of the Year (three years in a row) and earned the 2023 Office Lease of the Year (second consecutive year).
Birthplace: New York City
Education: B.S.B.A., University of Florida
The deals that made me: Leases by Bank of America (88,000 square feet) and Stearns Weaver (75,000 square feet) put me on the map.
South Florida’s next hot market: The Miami Worldcenter area
Best advice ever received: It takes 10 years to develop a reputation in the business and 10 minutes to lose it.
First job: Lanier Business Systems
Latest binge: “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy
Most grateful for: The people I have hired. We are a true team and we all row together.
Bucket list: It was New Zealand, but I went there recently. Next up: Japan.
www.cushwake.com, brian.gale@cushwake.com, 305-807-3192
Gabriel Garcia-Menocal
Executive VP, NAI Miami | Fort Lauderdale
Coral Gables
Garcia-Menocal has over three decades of combined real estate brokerage, construction, development, valuation, appraising and consultation experience. He is responsible for some of the largest leases and sales in the area and has been an SIOR member since 2008. As director of industrial brokerage services, he represents landlords, tenants, buyers and sellers in consultation, and serves as an expert witness and project manager.
Education: B.B.A., finance, Florida International University; MBA, Nova Southeastern University
www.naimiami.com, ggarcia-menocal@naimiami.com, 786-433-3148
Sky Groden
Executive managing director, JLL
Miami
Over the past 25 years, Groden has closed thousands of transactions totaling more than $5 billion in deal volume in South Florida’s industrial real estate market. He is considered one of JLL’s top-producing industrial brokers nationwide.
Birthplace: Clearwater
Education: Florida Atlantic University
How AI will change real estate: Insights and predictive analytics, but the human touch is essential
Why I went into real estate: I was fortunate to find an opportunity in research.
What recently surprised me about real estate: South Florida’s resiliency, with investment from everywhere.
Best advice ever received: Never as good as it looks, never as bad as it seems.
Advice for proteges: Be prepared to outwork everyone.
Bucket list: To heli-ski New Zealand
www.jll.com, sky.groden@jll.com
Robert Hunter
Senior VP, Investments, Marcus & Millichap
Fort Lauderdale
Hunter joined Marcus & Millichap in 2009 and transitioned to the company’s hospitality division in 2014. He has successfully brokered hotel deals in 13 states as lead agent. In 2023, he was one of the company’s Top 40 agents across all product types.
Birthplace: Mountain Brook, Alabama
Education: B.A., business and economics, Rhodes College
Why I went into real estate: It was a great way to have hard work directly correlate with profit.
The deal that made me: The sale of the Hampton Inn in Greenville, South Carolina
South Florida’s next hot market: Lake Worth for hospitality
Best advice ever received: You’ll never benefit from someone not liking you, no matter who it is.
First job: Paintball referee
Most lasting business lesson learned: Make the main thing the main thing
Most grateful for: Being able to go home to my family after a rough day.
www.marcusmillichap.com, robert.hunter@marcusmillichap.com
Jonathan Kingsley
Vice chairman, Colliers
Fort Lauderdale
Kingsley is co-founder and co-managing partner of a 12-person team focused on office and industrial landlord and tenant representation. Personally, he recently completed a 100-mile bike ride, raising $108,000 for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Birthplace: Garden City/Long Island, New York
Education: B.A., political science, University of Florida
How AI will change real estate: It will bring amazing efficiency in gathering intel.
I went into real estate because: My uncle/mentor “raised me” into real estate.
What recently surprised me about real estate: The resiliency after the pandemic, regional bank challenges and upheaval in interest rates.
Advice for proteges: Share with those who share and avoid those who aren’t willing to share.
Most lasting business lesson learned: Invest for retirement so you can retire without changing lifestyle.
www.colliers.com, jonathan.kingsley@colliers.com, 954-652-4610
Danet Linares
Executive vice chairman, Blanca Commercial Real Estate
Miami
Linares has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate. She leads the leasing of MiamiCentral, 1450 Brickell, 396 Alhambra, The Main Las Olas, Royal Palm Office Park and others, and handled the Bacardi lease at The Plaza Coral Gables. Since joining the firm, she has been involved in over 7 million square feet of office leases.
Birthplace: New York
Education: A.S., St. John’s University
I went into real estate because: I love to find real estate solutions and transform communities.
What recently surprised me about real estate: The extraordinary level at which Miami thrived during and after the pandemic.
Advice for proteges: Be a sponge, work hard and your word is your bond.
Most grateful for: My husband and family.
www.blancacre.com, danet.linares@blancacre.com, 305-577-8852
Jose Antonio Lobón
Vice chairman, CBRE National Partners
Miami
Since joining CBRE in 2011, Lobón has been involved in the valuation, marketing and execution of over $18 billion in real estate sale and finance transactions. He was involved in the sale of a 115-acre land site in Miami, which transacted for $291 million.
Birthplace: Fort Lauderdale
Education: B.A., Middlebury College; MBA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
www.cbre.com, jose.lobon@cbre.com, 954-816-6690
Neil Merin
Chairman, NAI/Merin Hunter Codman
West Palm Beach
Merin handles all facets of commercial real estate work. Over the past 20 years, he has represented both owners and tenants in over 40 million square feet of property negotiations representing over $10 billion in transactions.
Birthplace: New York City
Education: B.S.B.A., marketing, Boston University
How AI will change real estate: AI will ultimately replace commercial real estate agents, as it will generate a contract and negotiate the same.
I went into real estate because: I could not get into architecture school.
The deal that made me: Representing AT&T in 2.5 million square feet of lease negotiations in the early 1980s.
South Florida’s next hot market: Retail, especially small retail centers in densely populated areas.
Best advice ever received: Don’t sell. Just create the opportunity for people to buy.
Most grateful for: Making my career in South Florida
www.mhcreal.com, nmerin@mhcreal.com, 561-471-8000
Scott O’Donnell
Executive managing director, Cushman & Wakefield
Boca Raton
O’Donnell’s team is currently marketing two central business district towers – Las Olas Center and 801 Brickell – both offered between $200 million and $300 million. His team has been recognized by NAIOP as Broker Team of the Year for the past two years and with the Institutional Sale of the Year this past year.
Birthplace: Norristown, Pennsylvania
Education: Degree, management, Eastern University
www.cushwake.com, scott.odonnell@cushwake.com, 561-542-5955
Roberto Pesant
Senior managing director, Berkadia
Miami
Pesant has transacted over $5 billion in institutional sales assignments and developed over 3 million square feet of property during the course of his career. The team he currently co-leads is responsible for $2.7 billion in apartment and land sales since 2020.
Birthplace: Miami
Education: B.A., Trinity College; MBA, Emory University
I went into real estate because: Flying to South America to sell software lost its allure.
South Florida’s next hot market: I’m curious to see how condo termination and deconversion opportunities play out.
Best advice ever received: Stay busy; activity begets more activity.
First job: Scooping ice cream at Baskin Robbins.
Latest binge: Watching the 10-year Treasury’s daily movement throughout 2023.
www.berkadia.com, roberto.pesant@berkadia.com
George Pino
President, State Street Realty
Miami
Throughout his career, Pino has generated over $2 billion in sales and over 29 million square feet in leasing transactions. During the pandemic, he closed three industrial leases totalling more than 340,000 square feet for a total value of $16.5 million.
Birthplace: Miami
Education: B.B.A., Florida International University
www.statestreetre.com, gpino@statestreetre.com, 786-402-7387
Miguel Pinto
CEO, Apex Capital Realty
Miami
Pinto has amassed over $2.5 billion in deals. He guides the firm’s growth and direction, and also serves as a mentor at the FIU Council.
Birthplace: Bucaramanga, Colombia
Education: Bachelor’s degree, international business, management, Florida International University
South Florida’s next hot market: Distressed bank notes/NPLs
Best advice ever received: Enjoy the ride on your way up.
Advice for proteges: Until you win, effort always goes unnoticed. Don’t stop, keep going.
First job: I was a performer riding horses at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede.
Most lasting business lesson learned: Listen more than you speak.
Most grateful for: My wife, Tatiana, and two kids, Jax and Mila.
Bucket list: Ultimate golf holiday – a 26-country, 48-course itinerary in 100 days.
www.apexcapitalrealty.com, miguel@apexcapitalrealty.com, 305-632-2575
Stephen Rutchik
Executive managing director, office services, Colliers
Miami
Rutchik and his team joined Colliers in 2015. He focuses on commercial real estate, including Class A agency and tenant representation services for office clients in South Florida and nationwide.
www.colliers.com, stephen.rutchik@colliers.com, 786-517-4985
Brian Smith
Executive managing director, South Florida industrial lead, JLL
Miami
Smith has spent more than 20 years focused on industrial real estate in South Florida. He is a member of the Executive Industrial Council at JLL and vice chair of the agency steering committee. He has been recognized among the Top 100 professionals at JLL for the past five years.
Birthplace: Media, Pennsylvania
Education: A.A., Florida State University; B.A., international studies/economics, Florida International University
South Florida’s next hot market: South Dade, including Homestead
What recently surprised me about real estate: Office rents in new Class A buildings
Advice for proteges: Focus on going deep before going wide.
First job: Converse sales rep for South Florida
Latest binge: Season 9 of the TV show “Alone”
Bucket list: To visit every island in the Bahamas by boat.
www.us.jll.com, smith.brian@jll.com, 305-960-8403
Jaime Sturgis
CEO, Native Realty
Fort Lauderdale
Sturgis brings over a decade of leasing and investment sales experience, especially as he curates emerging urban neighborhoods in South Florida. He most recently preleased 100% of Marina Village at Bahia Mar before a certificate of occupancy was issued
Birthplace: Fort Lauderdale
Education: B.S.B.A., triple major in professional sales, entrepreneurship and real estate, Florida State University
How AI will change real estate: It will be easier to mass aggregate data to find deals.
South Florida’s next hot market: Local, unanchored neighborhood retail strip centers.
Advice for proteges: Don't be a jack of all trades, master of none.
First job: Contractor in a shipyard commissioning boats.
Latest binge: Reading for pleasure, not business.
Most grateful for: Family, health and the amazing team at Native Realty
www.nativerealty.com, info@nativerealty.com, 954-595-2999
Jason Sundook
Principal, NAI/Merin Hunter Codman
West Palm Beach
Sundook has specialized in the sale and leasing of office properties in Palm Beach County for over 30 years. He was previously a commercial real estate agent in downtown Boston. A shareholder at the firm, his clients include institutional-level owners such as J.P. Morgan, TA Associates, RMR, Equus and C-III.
Birthplace: Boston
Education: B.S.B.A., University of New Hampshire
How AI will change real estate: I fear it will make brokers lazy. We learn best by researching.
Best advice ever received: We have two ears and one mouth. Use them in that proportion.
Advice for proteges: Get out of the office. Meet people. See product.
First job: Hauling file boxes up and down stairs for minimum wage.
Most grateful for: My wife, Kimberly, and sons Sam, Ben and Zach.
Bucket list: African safaris; been twice and would go again tomorrow.
www.mhcreal.com, jsundook@mhcreal.com, 561-762-3131
Jonathan Thiel
Senior VP, Berger Commercial Realty
Fort Lauderdale
Thiel joined the firm as a sales associate in 2012. He has since secured significant listings and closings representing buyers and sellers in leasing medical, office and warehouse spaces, and successful tenant representation assignments. He most recently sold the property at 9600 W. Sample Road in Coral Springs for $11 million.
Birthplace: Miami
Education: Bachelor’s degree, hospitality management, Florida International University
I went into real estate because: Every deal and client are different.
The deal that made me: In 2016, I sold 3650 S.W. 10th St., the Deerfield Beach Sports Complex
South Florida’s next hot market: Pompano Beach
Latest binge: “Peaky Blinders”
Most grateful for: My family and the team at Berger.
Bucket list: Last year, I went to St. Andrews in Scotland for the British Open golf tournament.
www.bergercommercial.com, jthiel@bergercommercial.com, 954-652-2020
Joseph P. Thomas
Senior managing director, Investments, Marcus & Millichap
Fort Lauderdale
Thomas joined the firm in 2006 and today heads its investments and multifamily housing division. He is responsible for regional investment sales and advisory services, with a concentration in the private client multifamily industry.
Birthplace: Rochester, New York
Education: Bachelor’s degree, management, Florida Atlantic University
Why I went into real estate: Friends and family recruited me, then subsequently left the business.
What recently surprised me about real estate: Our segment of the business has stayed relatively consistent, despite interest rates and insurance challenges.
Best advice ever received: Ryan Nee told me to pay it forward.
First job: Bag boy at a country club in Pittsford, New York
Most grateful for: My beautiful wife and two amazing daughters
Bucket list: A ski-in, ski-out vacation home
www.thomasmultifamily.com, joseph.thomas@marcusmillichap.com, 954-245-3492
Frank Trelles
VP, State Street Realty
Doral
Trelles logged over $2 billion in transactions with State Street Realty. He most recently closed seven tenant representation leases for over 150,000 square feet. This month, Trelles joined Hialeah-based Vivo Real Estate Group as executive managing director.
Birthplace: Miami
Education: B.B.M., University of Tampa
How AI will change real estate: AI will simplify and fast-track tasks such as drafting contracts and analyzing investment deals. I use it everyday.
The deal that made me: I sold a 100,000-square-foot office building in Doral twice – for $23 million each time.
South Florida’s next hot market: Hialeah. Advice for proteges Learn your product and chase relationships, not commissions.
First job: When I was 12 years old, I worked at the circus selling cotton candy.
Most grateful for: My family
Bucket list: Tokyo and Hong Kong
www.vivogroup.net, ftrelles@vivogroup.net, 786-302-1223
Jaret Turkell
Senior managing director, Berkadia
Boca Raton
With over 18 years of experience, Turkell has completed over $7 billion in sales volume. He recently was involved in the sale of ID Flagler Village, a 24-unit townhouse property in Fort Lauderdale’s emerging community.
Birthplace: Manilla, Philippines
Education: B.B.A., management, University of Florida; J.D., Duke University; LL.M., real property development, University of Miami
Why I went into real estate: I enjoyed driving around looking at buildings and architecture. I wanted to help shape the skyline.
The deal that made me: The $55 million sale of First United Methodist Church on Biscayne Boulevard to PMG Group.
Best advice ever received: From Manny de Zárraga: Be generous with your time and share information.
Most grateful for: Friends, family and live music experiences.
Bucket list: Phish at the Sphere in Las Vegas
www.berkadia.com, jaret.turkell@berkadia.com
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Sum dollar volume sales/leases in S. Fla.
| Rank | Prior Rank | Company / Prior (*Not ranked in year prior) / URL |
|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Cushman & Wakefield |
2 | 2 | CBRE |
3 | 3 | JLL |
