4/29/2021 2021 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF [email protected] From the South Florida Business Journal: https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2021/04/29/2021- power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html 2021 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) Apr 29, 2021, 12:46pm EDT The real estate sector was deemed an essential business during the pandemic. Executives also proved to be resourceful and resilient. Countless new projects in single- family, rental apartment and condominium residential, as well as warehouse, distribution and logistics developments, are dotting the map from Miami through greater Fort PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JAKE STEVENS/SFBJ; GETTY IMAGES Lauderdale and north to the Palm 2021 Power Leaders in Real Estate Beaches. Part 1 The flood has been fueled by workers and executives fleeing higher-cost, lower-quality-of-life regions such as the Northeast, Midwest and even California. They’re seeking a more amenable and less expensive remote work or corporate relocation destination. This search, in one form or another, is nothing new. It has driven development statewide since before Henry Flagler brought his railway south. Today, it’s spurring billions of dollars in development and cementing the region’s role for more than 1,000 newcomers daily as the nation’s place to live, work and play. Beyond resourceful, resilient or even essential, these Power Leaders – and those featured in our new Power Brokers subsection – have proven the real estate sector vital to the region’s health and future. https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2021/04/29/2021-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html?ana=e_sflo_bn_exclusive_exclusive&j=905… 1/37 4/29/2021 2021 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal For commercial Power Brokers, we reached out to the area’s largest brokerages to identify their biggest producers in 2020 and spotlight the Top 25. To select our residential Power Brokers, we reviewed RealTrends brokerage rankings and queried the region’s largest brokerages on their most prolific dealmakers last year. Donna Abood Principal, Managing Director – Miami, Avison Young Miami Abood has closed 88,213 square feet of office lease transactions amid the pandemic. Birthplace: Detroit Education: B.A., marketing and management, Florida State University Why I went into real estate: Dad, a real estate developer and my inspiration, raised me in the business. First property I bought/sold: A piece of waterfront land in Marco Island A positive result of Covid: Business strategy needs to lead office space decisions Favorite vacation spot: Almost anywhere along the New England coast Favorite show right now: “Outlander” My hidden talent: Parenting, because what we love doing we tend to do well. www.avisonyoung.com/donna-abood, [email protected], 305-447-7857 Joel L. Altman Chairman and co-CEO, The Altman Cos. https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2021/04/29/2021-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html?ana=e_sflo_bn_exclusive_exclusive&j=905… 2/37 4/29/2021 2021 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal Boca Raton In January, Altman Cos. announced it was partnering with Baptist Health South Florida for a multifamily and medical development with 336 units on 14.5 acres in Kendall. Since its founding, the company has developed, acquired and managed over 26,000 units. Birthplace: Philadelphia Education: B.S., construction management, Michigan State University First property I bought/sold: As a college sophomore, I bought an estate for my fraternity and converted it into a house for our chapter. Hottest real estate sectors right now: Rental apartments, light industrial and single-family homes Go-to icebreaker topic: Tell me about yourself. I could spend an afternoon at: The Ferrari showroom Favorite show growing up: “The Lone Ranger” Title of my life story: “A Life Well Lived My Way” www.altmancos.com, [email protected], 561-997-8661 Brent Baker President, Southeast Florida division, PulteGroup Palm Beach Gardens With two decades in the home construction industry and six in his current post, Baker last year helped the company grow from 200 homes a year to over 1,100 homes projected in 2021. Birthplace: North Carolina Education: Bachelor’s degree and MBA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2021/04/29/2021-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html?ana=e_sflo_bn_exclusive_exclusive&j=905… 3/37 4/29/2021 2021 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal Hottest real estate sector right now: All sectors are strong, but anything sub-$500,000 in South Florida is hard to find. Go-to icebreaker topic: None. But I tend to read resumes in reverse order to see where people started and try and learn any unique facts. Favorite podcast: “Freakonomics” Favorite show right now: “The Queen’s Gambit.” I love chess. I just wish I was that good. Favorite show growing up: “The Andy Griffith Show” www.pultegroup.com, [email protected], 561-206-1405 Josh Bank Managing director, Miami, CBRE Miami A career real estate professional approaching a decade with CBRE, Bank has held various roles in New York; Hong Kong; Singapore; and Washington, D.C., and now is leading the firm’s business in Miami. Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio Education: B.B.A., University of Texas, MBA, Georgia Tech Why I went into real estate: My father is an architect and, growing up, we always discussed the built environment. A positive result of Covid: It placed Miami in a global spotlight. It will kick off a transformative growth cycle for the real estate markets. Favorite podcast: "The Prof G Show with Scott Galloway” Favorite book right now: “2034: A Novel of the Next World War” by Elliot Ackerman https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2021/04/29/2021-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html?ana=e_sflo_bn_exclusive_exclusive&j=905… 4/37 4/29/2021 2021 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal I could spend an afternoon at: Target (I’m not proud, but I’ve done it before.) www.cbre.com, [email protected], 305-381-6423 R. Russell Barnes Principal, Kimley-Horn and Associates West Palm Beach With 32 years at Kimley-Horn, Barnes today oversees the Florida region, including projects accelerated by large industrial clients to support the growing demand of online shopping during the pandemic. Birthplace: Raleigh, North Carolina Education: B.S., civil engineering, North Carolina State University First property I bought/sold: My home in Weston Hottest real estate sectors right now: Industrial and single family Go-to icebreaker topic: Tell me a little about yourself. Favorite vacation spot: Cruising anywhere Title of my life story: “A Blessed Life” My hidden talent: Golf (It’s so hidden no one can witness it.) www.kimley-horn.com, [email protected], 561-459- 8979 David J. Bateman Managing director, Broward and Palm Beach, CBRE Fort Lauderdale Bateman leads CBRE’s operations in Broward and Palm Beach counties, encompassing more than 70 professionals across three https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2021/04/29/2021-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html?ana=e_sflo_bn_exclusive_exclusive&j=905… 5/37 4/29/2021 2021 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal offices. He has worked in commercial real estate for over 13 years and has completed more than $100 million worth of transactions. Birthplace: Fort Myers Education: B.B.A., business management and marketing, Florida Atlantic University Favorite vacation spot: Destin/Santa Rosa Beach Favorite podcast: Bloomberg’s “Masters in Business” Favorite show right now: "Suits” I could spend an afternoon at: PGA Tour Superstore Favorite show growing up: “Saved by the Bell” www.cbre.us, [email protected] Mike Belmont President, Florida, Minto Communities Tampa Belmont oversaw a record-setting 2020, with 1,822 sales in Florida and South Carolina, 61% higher than company projections for the year, and up 56% from 2019. Closings on 1,217 homes generated revenue of $510 million. Net sales for 2020 at Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach were 645, a 48% increase over 2019, while 2020 net sales at Westlake in Palm Beach County were 491, a 227% increase over 2019. Minto will open its third Latitude Margaritaville-branded community in Panama City Beach later this year. Birthplace: Waukegan, Illinois Education: Bachelor’s degree, journalism, political science, Marquette University www.mintofla.com, 813-342-3844 https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2021/04/29/2021-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html?ana=e_sflo_bn_exclusive_exclusive&j=905… 6/37 4/29/2021 2021 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal Ron M. Bergeron Sr. Founder and CEO, Bergeron Land Development, Bergeron Family of Companies and Bergeron Properties & Investment Corp. Fort Lauderdale Bergeron continues to transform his hometown. In the last year, he delivered an auto auction distribution center at Bergeron Park of Commerce South, an outdoor storage facility at Bergeron Park of Commerce North, and a 170,000-square-foot food distribution facility at Bergeron Distribution Center. Birthplace: Louisiana Education: Stranahan High School Why I went into real estate: As a young man, I saw that Florida would grow and realized real estate would be a great investment. First property I bought/sold: 30 acres in Davie in 1968 Favorite local getaway spot: The Everglades Three traits that describe me: Hardworking businessman, cowboy, Gladesman I could spend an afternoon at: Bass Pro Shops Favorite show growing up: “The Lone Ranger” www.bergeroninc.com, [email protected], 954-680-6100 Willy A.