Newmark names data, retail executives; Granite names investment director; Buchalter law firm bolsters real estate team

Newmark hired Wayne Gearey as head of geographic information systems and economic data analytics, as the brokerage expands data-oriented services for clients and advisers. Gearey will work with Newmark’s occupier services clients throughout the U.S. to leverage geospatial data in their location planning, site selection and related decisions, the New York-based company said. He worked most recently at CoStar Group and previously worked for JLL and Savills.

Newmark also hired Ben Wood as a senior managing director to lead retail project management from its Chicago office. Wood, who has represented Fortune 500 companies and institutional owners, will advise clients such as national retailers on expansion and related projects, the real estate services firm said. A 20-year industry veteran, Wood worked most recently at CBRE, where he led business development for the firm’s retail project management practice.

Investment and development firm Granite Properties promoted Carson Dennis to director of investments. The Dallas-based company said Dennis, who previously served as an investment manager, will now take on duties that include evaluating and completing investment opportunities geared toward high-amenity office properties and developments.

He will also support capital-raising efforts as the company seeks to expand its portfolio in high-growth Sun Belt regions. Founded in 1991, Granite Properties owns 11 million square feet of office space in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Denver, Southern California, Boston and Nashville.

Business law firm Buchalter continued its West Coast expansion with the addition of Brad Markoff and Mark Levinson as shareholders in its Los Angeles office. The firm said Markoff will serve as chair of its real estate capital markets practice. Markoff has represented public and private companies, partnerships and real estate funds. He also handled domestic and Asia-based cross-border transactions, initial public offerings and mergers and acquisitions.

Levinson returns to Buchalter after prior work at law firm Carlton Fields and the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, among other organizations, across a four-decade career. His practice spans industries including real estate, consumer products, education, manufacturing, media and technology. Los Angeles-based Buchalter employs nearly 600 attorneys at offices in nine states.

Kirksey Architecture named Justin Winchester as partner and managing director of its collegiate practice, part of the firm's ongoing expansion of its education-related services. The company said Winchester will be based in its Houston headquarters office and lead the practice with Steve Durham, who currently oversees the firm’s higher education practice.

Kirksey’s college practice has completed over 150 projects on more than 40 campuses.

Winchester has more than 20 years of experience in higher education architecture, having worked on projects for academic institutions across Texas. He joins Kirksey from architecture firm Page, where he served as principal and academic director.

Kirksey has offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and also serves industries such as multifamily development, hospitality, healthcare, technology and government.

Affordable housing developer Dominium promoted Meg Tibbs to senior vice president of property management enablement, based in Dallas. The Plymouth, Minnesota-based company said Tibbs will oversee management functions including marketing, compliance and related operations.

She joined Dominium in 2007 and has held several roles, including leasing consultant, community manager and senior operations specialist. Tibbs most recently served as Dominium's vice president of operations.

Founded in 1972, Dominium owns, develops and manages more than 40,000 apartments in more than 220 properties nationwide. It has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix and Minneapolis.