Northbrook, Ill.-based Grubb & Ellis Co. recently recruited additional industry professionals in an effort to strengthen its senior management team. Last month, NREI reported on the appointment of the company's new president and CEO, Barry Barovick.

Ian Bress has been named CFO of the company. He joins Grubb & Ellis from New York-based Wall Street Strategies Corp., a publicly held financial services firm, where he served as CFO. Blake Harbaugh, who had been CFO of Grubb & Ellis since January 2000, chose not to relocate to New York for personal reasons, but will remain with the company during the transitional period.

Mark R. Costello has been named COO of Grubb & Ellis, effective July 23. He joins the company's new CEO and CFO from New York-based Ernst & Young LLP's real estate advisory practice, where he worked as a partner and East Coast director.

Robert J. Walner has been promoted to chief administrative officer of the company. Walner has served as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary since he joined Grubb & Ellis in 1994.

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