CBRE Promotes Five Top Real Estate Execs to Vice Chairman

CBRE announced five new vice chairmen at its Midtown Manhattan office. Eric Deutsch, John Maher, Paul Myers, James Millon and Tom Traynor, a group of top real estate professionals who have consistently been recognized for their work on industry-leading transactions, were recently promoted.

“Eric, John, Paul, James and Tom are not only the best-of-the-best in their respective disciplines, but also some of the top real estate minds in our industry,” said Matthew Van Buren, President of CBRE’s Northeast Division. “They have carved out remarkable careers and have represented some of the world’s most powerful owners, developers and corporate office space users. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and are thrilled they have been named vice chairmen, the pinnacle of achievement at CBRE.”

Since joining CBRE in 2002, Mr. Deutsch has formulated real estate strategies and has spearheaded acquisition and disposition projects for many high-profile clients in New York City and cities across the country and globe. His tenant representation experience includes  significant  transactions for clients such as Alleghany Corporation, Everest Reinsurance, The Gap, Victoria’s Secret, Artisan Partners and Franklin Templeton, among others. He has also served as the owner’s agent for several New York City office properties including 5 Penn Plaza, 14 Wall Street, 200 Fifth Avenue and 1540 Broadway. His most recent deals include L Brands’ lease at 55 Water Street and Everest Reinsurance’s new headquarters in Warren, N.J. He has been the recipient of multiple Colbert Coldwell Awards, a record of achievement at the highest level within CBRE, and awarded the Real Estate Board of New York’s prestigious Most Ingenious Deal of the Year recognition.

Mr. Maher began his real estate career with the firm as the inaugural participant in CBRE’s “Wheel” program. His strong tenant-side focus has led to the leasing of more than five million sq. ft. of space around the world. His clients run the gamut across industries, and include such names as Bain & Company, Baker & Hostetler, Houlihan Lokey, Morrison & Foerster, Perella Weinberg Partners and Publicis. On the agency side, he currently represents Boston Properties’ GM Building; Morgan North, a reimagination of a US Postal Service distribution center; Paramount Group’s 60 Wall Street; and 1271 Avenue of the Americas, owned by Rockefeller Group. In addition, Mr. Maher has been the leasing agent for Class A properties owned by Hines Interests, Jaymont Properties and CBRE Investors. His 2019 transactions include a 977,000 sq. ft. renewal and expansion for Publicis at 375 Hudson Street; the sale of the 640,000 sq. ft. leasehold for the USPS’ Morgan North to Tishman Speyer Properties; and co-leading the leasing team in the conclusion of the two million sq. ft. lease-up campaign for 1271 Avenue of the Americas.

Mr. Myers is one of the leading leasing professionals at CBRE, as borne out by his repeat membership in CBRE’s Chairman’s Club and Colbert Coldwell Circle, as well as being named Chairperson for CBRE’s Brokerage Advisory Board, an entity responsible for improving the firm’s ability to serve clients around the globe. He joined CBRE in 1985 as a regional financial analyst prior to joining the brokerage team. His finance background has proven an invaluable asset in structuring and negotiating many of the industry’s most noteworthy commercial real estate transactions. In addition, his strategic and consultative skills, focus and dedication to service have earned him the trust of his clients, as evidenced by his long-term relationships with companies such as S&P Global, Fujifilm, Intercontinental Exchange/The New York Stock Exchange, Morrison & Foerster, Squarespace, Johnson & Johnson and Publicis. His most recent transactions include a 977,000 sq. ft. renewal and expansion for Publicis at 375 Hudson Street and opening the first NYC Hana office at 3 World Trade Center.

Focusing on institutional debt advisory and large loans, Mr. Millon and Mr. Traynor are key members of CBRE’s national Debt & Structured Finance group. They are both experts in originating, underwriting, pricing, structuring, negotiating, syndicating and securitizing large commercial real estate finance transactions. Since joining CBRE in late 2016 from Deutsche Bank, the duo has arranged more than $15 billion in large fixed- and floating-rate transactions ranging from single assets to large portfolios.  Over their careers, Mr. Traynor has originated more than $40 billion and Mr. Millon has originated more than $35 billion in commercial real estate loans throughout the United States, spanning all property types. Major financing deals they have spearheaded include HNA Group’s $1.768 billion acquisition loan for 245 Park Avenue, the $1.074 billion Stonemont Net Lease Portfolio loan of 100 properties totaling 6.8 million sq. ft. and the $540 million acquisition loan for 345 Park Avenue South for Deerfield Management.