Big CREF Hires at CBRE, Jones Lang LaSalle Plus a Revolving Door at Prudential

“Bernie’s addition to our team reflects CBRE’s commitment to providing comprehensive, market-leading services to investors across the price spectrum,” said Christopher Ludeman, CBRE’s global president of capital markets.

Greg O’Brien has been tapped as chief executive officer of the Americas at Jones Lang LaSalle. He’ll report to JLL’s president and CEO, Colin Dyer.

John Gates has been named to Mr. O’Brien’s previous post heading the Americas markets business, the company said. As CEO of markets, Mr. Gates will oversee brokerage, capital markets, project and development, as well as other businesses.

“As a member of our Americas leadership for many years, Greg has been a key contributor to setting the Americas strategy and driving its execution through our businesses,” said Mr. Dyer. “Drawing on his deep experience and impressive results as a leader of multiple businesses and in his direct work with clients, he will be able to drive productive growth throughout the Americas by continuing to implement the long-term strategies set in place over the last year.”

CBRE has also added Randy Anderson as the head of research in the Americas. Mr. Anderson has an extensive history in real estate investment, finance and management.

“We are very excited to have Randy lead our research efforts in the Americas,” said Nick Axford, global head of research at CBRE. “He has a proven ability to develop practical strategies and insight from complex market data. This talent is vitally important as strategic analysis increasingly underpins real estate decision-making for both occupiers and investors. Global trends are having an ever greater impact on local markets, and Randy will be a valuable addition to our research leadership team as we develop an integrated global approach to addressing these issues.”

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Anderson served as a principal of Blue Rock Real Estate LLC. The company focused on real estate investments in the southeastern region of the United States. Mr. Anderson also worked at the University of Central Florida as a professor.

Marie Head has joined Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates as a principal, a homecoming of sorts for Ms. Head, who left Prudential in 2011 for a position at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In her new position at Prudential Mortgage Capital Company’s FHA business, she’ll work to originate new FHA loans across the country, the company said.

“Marie’s extensive experience in and considerable knowledge of the FHA lending business, along with her familiarity with Prudential Mortgage Capital Company and Prudential Huntoon Paige, once again make her a valuable addition to our team,” said Paige Warren, the managing director and head of Prudential Huntoon Paige. “We are proud to have her back with us and look forward to her contributions toward helping us expand our multifamily FHA portfolio.”

Ms. Head served as deputy assistant secretary for multifamily housing programs at HUD when she left her position at Prudential in 2011.

Greystone is growing its portfolio lending group, with the addition of two senior executives.

In Austin, Texas, Jef Elm has joined as managing director of production. He reports to Marty Lanigan, the head of the portfolio lending group in Greystone’s New York headquarters.

“Having previously worked alongside Jef twice in the past, I am thrilled that he’s joined us at Greystone, where his market expertise and client reach will serve as a terrific complement to our existing production platform,” said Mr. Lanigan. “With the portfolio lending group’s current talent and resources, we look forward to reaching and surpassing $1 billion in bridge loan production for 2014.”

Matt Grodd has also been hired as a senior vice president in the firm’s New York office. He also reports to Mr. Lanigan. Mr. Grodd was previously at TriLyn Investment Management, responsible for originating, underwriting and structuring subordinated commercial real estate debt.

Commercial mortgage and advisory shop Hybrid Capital has added Yaron Cohen as director of originations. He was previously a senior real estate associate at investment adviser Sinoi & Partners.

In his new position, he’ll help arrange commercial mortgages for recapitalizations, acquisitions and development projects, the firm said.

“Yaron is a respected industry professional, and as our business expands, we are pleased to have someone with his experience join our team,” said Hybrid CEO Bobby Bakhchi.

Law firm Pryor Cashman has announced several promotions.

In the firm’s real estate group, Danielle Schechner has been elevated to partner. She joined the firm in 2006 and focuses her practice on areas that include real estate finance. Additionally, Benjamin Teig, who joined the firm’s real estate group in 2005, has been promoted to of counsel.

Situs has hired Eric Smith as business development leader to further expand its West Coast operations.

Mr. Smith will be based out in the San Francisco office and will work with clients in areas such as liquidity, valuation, capital, financing, servicing and investment, the company, which provides commercial real estate advisory services and integrated technology solutions, recently added.

He reports to Kenneth Segal, head of Situs’ bank and loan advisory group, joining from the loan value group, where he was a managing director.

“As we continue to expand our global reach, including the regions across the United States, there is a strong demand for our core offerings in the West Coast,” said Mr. Segal. “By integrating Eric’s impressive background and track record with our innovative offerings, we are confident that it will spur further growth with our suite of services and bolster our presence within this target region.”