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NAMES IN THE NEWS

TriNet Corporate Realty Trust Inc. Robert Walter Holman Jr. has been appointed CEO of the San Francisco-based firm. Holman is currently chairman of the board of directors and is a co-founder of TriNet and its predecessor. Holman previously served as CEO.

Insignia/ESG Inc. A 20-year veteran of the commercial real estate industry, Bruce E. Surry has been named executive director of the firm's downtown New York office. Also announced was the promotion of Albert H. (Jeb) Scherb from associate director to associate managing director.

Julien J. Studley Inc. Brian K. Edmonds has been named as a managing director in the New York-based firm's Philadelphia office. Edmonds comes to Studley with more than 14 years of real estate experience. He previously served with Reliance Insurance Co., where he was manager of real estate and facilities.

Cushman & Wakefield The New York-based international real estate firm has announced the promotion of Joseph J. Sarno Jr. to senior director. Sarno has 19 years of experience as a broker with the company. Sarno is also a member of The Real Estate Board of New York.

Sonnenblick-Goldman Co. The New York-based company announced that Paul Lee has been appointed head of its San Francisco office. His new duties will include originating, marketing, placement of equity and debt transactions in the western United States, and advising offshore clients about acquisition, disposition and capitalization. Also joining the San Francisco office as senior vice president is Chris Nobuyuki Yamada. His responsibilities include maintaining and establishing relationships with Asian investors who own real estate or have loans on U.S. and foreign real estate assets.

Waterford Hotel Group Inc. This southeastern Connecticut-based company has announced the appointment of John Todia as director of development. In his new position, Todia will seek and develop relationships with potential institutional, financial and individual partners to develop properties. Todia was previously with Winegardner & Hammons Inc. for 20 years as executive vice president. NREI contacted him to ask him about the contributions he will make in his new position and about his decision to leave his last position after 20 years.

NREI: Why did you decide to join Waterford Hotel Group?

Todia: The people at Waterford Hotel Group are enthusiastic, honest and have no hidden agenda. There is a common goal to grow the company through new development and third-party management expansions. The principals and associates are open to any ideas that make economic sense and matches the capabilities of the company. One doesn't have to worry about thinking "outside the box" because there is no box.

NREI: Was it a tough decision, especially after being at your previous job for 20 years?

Todia: Yes and no. After 20 years at Winegardner & Hammons, the task of seeking a group to join was something I really do not want to repeat again. The decision to join Waterford Hotel Group was simple and enjoyable.

NREI: What experience and skills will you bring and add to Waterford?

Todia: Twenty-two years of operations management, including 10 years of multi-unit management and 10 years of development experience of new products and management contract solicitations and negotiations. I have had experience growing an organization in my previous association and believe that will lend itself well to Waterford Hotel Group's growth plans and, hopefully, avoid mistakes made by others in the past.

NREI: What are your goals for Waterford's development department? Todia: Still in the outline stages, but includes new third-party management contract acquisitions and new development projects that meet our economic criteria.

Landauer Real Estate Counselors Ralph L. Godwin Jr. has been hired by the firm as a senior managing director and will serve as a team leader in the Capital Markets Group. He is responsible for the execution of real estate investment banking transactions, including the sale of institutional-grade real estate assets, equity formation for acquisitions and development, and equity finance. Prior to joining Landauer, Godwin was managing director of Gruntal & Co. LLC. Also hired was Matthew A. Sharp as a manager in the Capital Markets Group. He will work with Godwin in all the activities of the group.

Colonial Properties Trust John P. Rigrish has been named executive vice president-administration and will direct the company's information management systems, human resources and employee services operations. Rigrish joins Colonial with more than 30 years in the telecommunications industry. Kenneth E. Howell has been promoted to senior vice president and chief accounting officer and will have responsibility for all accounting and cash management.

Terranova Corp. The Miami-based company has named Beth Azor president and CEO. She started with the company in 1985 by brokering retail leases, and her most recent position was executive vice president. Azor replaces Stephen H. Bittel, who founded Terranova in 1980. Bittle transferred the title to Azor so he could devote more time to long-range planning and investment activities on behalf of the company.

CarrAmerica Realty Corp. Philip L. Hawkins has been named COO of this office properties company. His responsibilities will be the day-to-day operations in the areas of property operations, development, national marketing and human resources. Since he joined in 1996, Hawkins has been managing director-operations. Prior to joining this firm, Hawkins served with LaSalle Partners Limited as executive vice president.

The Benenson Capital Co. Richard A. Kessler has been promoted to COO of the firm. His duties will include implementation of all major decisions and the company's strategic direction. James E. Stifel has also been promoted to chief investment officer. His duties will include responsibility for the acquisition of commercial properties for public syndication and originating corporate sale/leaseback transactions for major financial institutions.

Sunstone Hotel Properties Inc. Douglas C. Sutten has been appointed senior vice president and CFO of Sunstone's affiliate Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. In his new position, Sutten will be responsible for all of the company's financial operations and strategic planning.

Newmark Partners Inc. George Pastore has joined the New Jersey-based firm as senior director. Pastore will be responsible for industrial leasing and sales and will bring almost 25 years of experience of the real estate industry to his new position. Prior to joining Newmark, Pastore was vice president of C.P. Associates where he spent eight years as a sales and investments specialist.

Koll Construction L.P. The Newport Beach, Calif.-based company has promoted Donald Eklund to director of Senior Living Services. He will be responsible for national business development of assisted living and senior living projects. Eklund, a 19-year veteran of the construction industry, has been with the company for more than 13 years and was a senior project manager prior to his promotion.

GVA Williams Real Estate The international company has named Robert M. Romano managing director of its Corporate Services Group and a member of the firm's management committee. His responsibilities will include serving the real estate needs of corporate clients, managing the transaction process and insuring quality control.

Opus National LLC Richard C. Page Jr. has been named senior vice president-national marketing of the firm. In his new position, Page will manage corporate marketing services and marketing communications. He also will establish new director of national marketing positions in five regional operating companies. Page was formerly with LaSalle Partners Inc., where he was a partner and senior vice president.

Management Reports Inc. The Ohio-based firm has appointed Richard J. Maxwell to the position of COO. He brings with him more than 20 years of experience in international software and consulting management. He previously served as president and CEO of Enterprise Knowledge Systems Inc., a company he started, and also was a leading force at Digital Equipment Corp.

Chicago Title Corp. The Chicago-based firm has announced that Louis A. Iannaccone has joined the company as executive vice president and chief technology and information officer. He will be responsible for information technology and systems strategy, architecture and design for the whole company, as well as support, standards and maintenance. Previously, he was with Long Island Savings Bank, where he served as chief information officer.

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