David Stockert, who replaced John Williams as CEO of Post Properties, could have held a grudge against Williams for trying to oust Stockert shortly after he took the reins of the multifamily REIT. But Stockert did not, and he continues to acknowledge the transformational role Williams played in the national apartment market. Williams, was was CEO of Preferred Apartment Communities, died suddenly on April 16, 2018.
Read the story here; from +CoStar Group.
ATLANTA (Jan. 1, 2015) - The new year got off to a somber start for Atlanta's commercial real estate industry as legendary developer Robert F. "Bob" Kern passed away.
Kern's son, Kevin Kern - who followed in his dad's footsteps as a developer - shared the sad news from Atlanta Hospice at about 8 p.m. New Year's Day: RIP my dear dad. So many amazing memories with my trail blazing father. Romeo Foxtrot Kilo out.
The affable Bob Kern introduced flex office buildings to Atlanta. The buildings, usually single story, offered the flexibility of having a good amount of office space in a business-services/industrial structure. Here's what another giant of Atlanta's CRE community said about Kern's contribution.
"Bob Kern was the first to do flex space," King Industrial Realty Inc. Chairman Charlie King told Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2003. "He built on land that cost more than industrial but less than office and hit a home run because, as its name implies, it is space that is flexible, which everybody loves."
Kern's legacy also can be found across metro Atlanta, especially in Cobb County, where he developed several office/flex buildings and business parks including Galleria 75. (When Kern selected the name Galleria 75, Don Childress challenged Kern's use of "Galleria." Ultimately, the dispute was settled with Kern and his partners agreed to pay a licensing fee of $5,000 a year to use Galleria in the name.)
Kern remained active until late last year, when he spearheaded the effort to develop Cornerstone Medical Office Center at Peachtree and Collier roads in Atlanta's Brookwood Hills neighborhood.
Word of Kern's death spread quickly, and several friends in the real estate community expressed their sorrow and find memories. Here are some of the messages left on Kevin Kern's Facebook page.
Rick Lackey RIP to the greatest salesman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing - the CRE community has lost another great one.
Bradley Fulkerson Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
George Edwards So sorry to read this, Kevin. One of my first decent size Bus Park deals was with Kern & Padgett at Interstate North. Remember it as great experience with Bob and Ben. Bob was a prince of a man. My prayers are with you.
Frank Norton Sorry to hear about Bob. I remember him well giving me a start and sometimes a push on some of my first real estate transactions. My prayers are with your family.
Jarred Schenke Kevin, I'm sorry to hear this. My thoughts with you tonight. No matter our age, it's never easy to lose a parent.
ATLANTA (Nov. 15, 2014) - Atlanta lost one of its iconic businessmen today when Herman Russell died earlier today.
Russell, 83, founded H.J. Russell & Co., a construction firm that built or or teamed with other firms to build several landmark projects in Atlanta, including Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Dome, the Atlanta Federal Center and Georgia-Pacific Plaza. A trailblazer who knocked down several racial barriers, Russell's legacy lives on through sons Michael Russell (CEO) and Jerome Russell (president) and daughter.
News of Russell's passing has been reported by Scott Trubey of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Trubey, with a contribution from City Hall Reporter Katie Leslie, cited Mayor Kasim Reed and others who confirmed the death. By Friday, several people in Atlanta's real estate community were saying prayers for Russell, whom they had heard was near death.
“He is one of the best men our city has ever produced,” Reed tells the AJC. “I can’t express how much we will miss him.”
During his unparalleled career, Herman Russell won every major civic and commercial real estate award and recognition in Atlanta. In 2004, ULI Atlanta bestowed upon Russell its prestigious Frank Carter Community Achievement Award named for the founder of Carter.
Updated with funeral information at end of story. Click here to sign Guest Book.
ATLANTA (Sept. 4, 2014) - Atlanta's commercial real estate industry lost its most infectious smile this week when Derek Davis, 46, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Buckhead.
Davis, director of IT Services at Carter, had to be one of the most popular people at the commercial real estate firm. As head of IT, he got to know everyone there, and they depended on him. They also grew to really, really like him because of his personality and habit of calling out people by name to say hello.
The avid chess player who got interested in technology while helping Bill Gates build a new home loved that IT afforded him the opportunity to get to know everyone at Carter. "Believe it or not, I am a people person and enjoy problem solving," Davis said in an interview for the Carter Blog. "Being in IT at Carter allows me to utilize two of my stronger traits to literally interact with everyone on a professional and/or personal level."
The senior management of Carter relied on Derek to keep them up on the latest technology, especially as real estate pros turned from desktops to laptops, iPhones and iPads. The Wilbert Group owes Davis a debt of gratitude because he helped us when we started the firm inside Carter's offices and began to add our second, third and fourth employees.
We're guessing Derek was in his way to work about 9 a.m. Tuesday on his motorcycle when the accident occurred.
According to Atlanta Police, a semi-truck attempted an illegal U-turn on Lenox Road, and Davis - also traveling southbound on Lenox behind the truck - tried to stop but ended up hitting the vehicle. The driver of the truck will be charged with homicide by vehicle and making an illegal U-turn, accoring to CBS46.
On long-time Carter employee said the news of Derek's death was "so tragic. I am glad to know that we all had great memories of him. My prayers are with his family and friends, especially his children who he loved deeply."
Here's the information for those who wish to pay their last respects to Derek.
Homegoing Services for Our Friend and Co-Worker, Derek Davis ("Double D”)
Gregory B. Levett And Sons
Gwinnett/Lawrenceville Chapel Location
914 Scenic Hwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
http://www.levettfuneralhome.com/
Viewing and Wake Service
Monday, September 8
12 to 8 p.m.
Funeral
Tuesday, September 9
11 a.m.
Update on memorial: BEEBE, Marshall Marshall Jones "Skip" Beebe of Atlanta died November 7, 2011. A memorial service will be held Thursday, November 10 at 2 o'clock at All Saints Episcopal Church. Online condolences may be made at hmpattersonspringhill.com.
ATLANTA (Nov. 8, 2011) - Atlanta's commercial real estate community lost one of its finest members today as Skip Beebe, who led CBRE's Atlanta office and Eastern Division for several years, died due to complications from a fall Monday night in Atlanta.
Beebe, who most recently served as CBRE's Chief Learning Officer, was remembered today as a smart, kind person and mentor with the strength to lead CBRE's vital Eastern Division as the company grew into one of the world's largest commercial real estate companies.
In July 1999, Los Angeles-based CBRE completed a reorganization that included moving its Eastern Division HQ to Atlanta and namong Beebe as its leader. "A huge part of the strength of the company is along the East Coast, and now we have an organization that will allow us to take full advantage of it," Beebe told me during an interview.
Beebe also served as the Ledbetter Professor of the Practice of Real Estate Development at Georgia Tech.
Many attendees of the CoreNet Global Fall Summit, which wrapped up today, shared memories of Skip. Here's what CBRE CEO Brett White said in a memo to CBRE's employees around the world.
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of our longtime friend and retired colleague, Skip Beebe. Skip passed away suddenly last night due to complications from a fall.
Skip spent 14 years at CBRE before his retirement in 2007. He touched many lives and influenced many careers here—as the leader of our Atlanta office; President of the Eastern Division and most recently, as our Chief Learning Officer. Since his retirement, Skip remained a positive influence at CBRE, serving as a mentor and counselor to many of our people and a popular instructor at CBRE University.
Skip will always be remembered as the quintessential CBRE professional, who upheld our RISE values daily and drew the most professional satisfaction from helping others to grow, succeed and prosper. The entire CBRE community mourns his untimely passing.
We will provide details about services as soon as they are available. In the meantime, please join me in keeping his wife, Anne, and his family in your thoughts.
ATLANTA (Aug. 10, 2011) - Atlanta's commercial real estate industry once again is mourning the loss of one of its own this week.
Larry Orr, 50, an expert apartment investment sales broker, died Monday at Piedmont Hospital. Orr worked at The Apartment Group, which Cushman & Wakefield acquired in 2001. Orr also worked at Sharp Boylston Cos. and Julian LeCraw and Co. Orr's name remains on Cushman & Wakefield's national apartment brokerage webpage, and it should as a sign of respect to the apartment sales guru.
Cushman & Wakefield credits Orr with playing a "crucial role in the national expansion of the C&W multifamily investment sales division."
During his career, the University of Georgia alum set records for the highest volume of multifamily sales in several years. His partners at Cushman & Wakefield The Apartment Group included Evan Jennings, who lost his battle with brain cancer last year at 65, and Chris Spain.
The family request those wishing to honor Larry's life, send donations to Piedmont Hospital, Inc. for the Orr Brain Tumor Navigator Fund. Gifts can be sent to Piedmont Healthcare Foundation, Inc., Attention: Leshandra Armour, 1968 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.
Here's the paid death notice for Lawrence Orr.
ATLANTA (Oct. 28, 2010) - Well-known Atlanta real estate dealmaker John Hunsinger has passed away. The former Georgia Tech running back died Sunday of undetermined causes, according to an obituary in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was 79.
Mr. Hunsinger, whose name graced his building at 1627 Peachtree St. overlooking the Downtown Connector, was on the local commercial real estate scene for decades. He will be missed.
Here's the obituary by Rick Badie, whose story does Mr. Hunsinger the justice he deserves.
John Stewart Hunsinger, 79: Was gridiron great at Georgia Tech
By Rick Badie
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4:32 p.m. Thursday, October 28, 2010
John Hunsinger often wore yellow scarves with matching patent leather shoes.
His attire erased any doubts about his allegiance to the school where, as a running back and linebacker, he wore No. 42.
"He adored Tech," said Janet Boden, a first cousin from Atlanta. "Those yellow patent leather shoes really stood out. He was happy, fun and like an older brother to me."
At Atlanta's Brown High School, Mr. Hunsinger was named an all-American, all-Southern, all-state fullback. He was the Atlanta Touchdown Club's pick as the state's most valuable back in 1949.
In 1950, the teen who delivered newspapers and played the trumpet and horn enrolled at Georgia Tech. He was part of the undefeated squad that won the 1952 Sugar Bowl. He also played on the 1953 Sugar Bowl and 1954 Cotton Bowl teams.
"He was unbelievable," said D.L. Claborn, a friend since the late 1950s. "An exceptional person, a great athlete and he was really smart to form his own business."
That would be John Hunsinger and Co., the real estate brokerage and development firm he started in 1969. A decade later, Mr. Hunsinger was elected as a charter member of the Atlanta Board of Realtors' Phoenix Million Dollar Club, which denotes 10 years as a million-dollar producer.
"Johnny knew how to carry the ball on the football field and at the real estate conference table," said Sam Massell, president of the Buckhead Coalition. "He was always ready to make friends for his alma mater and city."
On Sunday, John Stewart Hunsinger of Atlanta died of undetermined causes at Wesley Woods Hospital. He was 79. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Hunsinger grew up in the West End where he shared a one-bedroom house with his mother and other relatives. The honors student earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering at Tech and was named most outstanding senior.
In 1961, after a two-year stint in the Army and a few years working as an engineer, he became a salesman for Pope and Carter Co. of Atlanta. He held various positions with the company before starting his full-service firm.
Mr. Hunsinger held memberships or offices with organizations that included the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Atlanta, the Atlanta Touchdown Club, and the Georgia Tech Athletic Association. He was a 1996 Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame inductee.
In a 2006 article for Engineer Enterprise, a Tech alumni publication, he compared today's football with his gridiron days.
"I like it today," he said, "but I would rather play the way we did than [they] play today. It's a specialty thing. You've got your left-footed kicker. You've got somebody who can only throw long distances . . . I can remember the games where I played 60 minutes."
Survivors include his wife, Kathy Blalock Hunsinger; four sons, Jonathan Christopher Hunsinger, Matthew Stewart Hunsinger and John Hunsinger Jr., all of Atlanta, and Hall Hunsinger of New York City; a daughter, Robbie Lynn Hunsinger of Nashville, Tenn.
By Tony Wilbert
ATLANTA (May 31, 2010) - Very sad news to report out of Atlanta's commercial real estate industry this holiday weekend. Evan Jennings, who closed more than $3 billion of multifamily transactions in his career, lost his battle with brain cancer. Jennings, 65, died Thursday.
A native of Pittsburgh, Jennings founded The Apartment Group in the early 1990s with partner Chris Spain, and they built the multifamily brokerage into a regional powerhouse. In 1999, The Apartment Group expanded to Orlando with the addition of Cole Whitaker as partner. In 2000, The Apartment Group handled the sale of 72 multifamily communities with an aggregate transaction volume of $900 million.
The firm's success caught the eye of Cushman & Wakefield, which acquired The Apartment Group in 2001. Jennings, Spain and about 15 Apartment Group employees joined Cushman & Wakefield and helped lead a super-regional expansion of Cushman & Wakefield The Apartment Group.
Today, Chris Spain, Larry Orr and others from The Apartment Group continue to lead Cushman & Wakefield's Atlanta apartment brokerage team.
After retiring from Cushman & Wakefield The Apartment Group, Jennings remained very active in Atlanta's real estate industry. He founded and served as president of Jennings Partners Inc., Condo Group LLC and JPI Holdings. He also served as chairman of RentBureau, a consumer reporting industry that aggregates and provides payment histories to the apartment industry.
A Florida State University graduate, Jennings started his career in real estate in 1974 at Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate, specializing in marketing and selling multifamily communities. He then launched Merrill Lynch's first multifamily division and later worked at Johnstown American Commercial Real Estate Services before co-founding The Apartment Group.
Jennings was a loving husband and father who loved to fly-fish. "Before he died, Evan told one of his close friends that he was looking forward to finding the greatest fishing hole in heaven," his death notice says. "Evan truly loved nature and felt totally at home in the outdoors"
Here's the complete death notice, which appears in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Family-Placed Death Notice
JENNINGS, Evan D. III EVAN JENNINGS, III Evan Jennings, III, aged 65, died May 27th, 2010, after fighting a courageous bout with brain cancer. Mr. Jennings leaves behind a long trail of successes, friendships and stories that will continue to touch the lives of many people for years to come. Evan was a man who lived life to the fullest. His intellectual curiosity and business acumen were defining attributes that contributed to his success as a person and a businessman. Always a self-made man, Evan rose from an entry-level real estate agent to a position of national prominence within the multi-family housing industry. Born on May 30, 1944 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Evan moved to Orlando, Florida in 1959, where he graduated from Edgewater High School in 1962. He then attended Florida State University graduating in 1966 from the School of Business with a degree in marketing. After graduation Evan served in the Army Reserve for six years. During his time in the Reserves, Evan was recognized for his great sharp-shooting abilities. This skill served him well through the years as he was a great wing-shooter and hunter. Evan was the rare person who was able to harness and use his unique skills to make a difference as a husband, father, friend and member of our community. Evan's defining characteristics included honesty, integrity, a wonderful sense of humor and a great desire for learning and discovery. Evan was the type of person that was much more likely to spend his time watching the History and Discovery Channels than sports or other forms of television entertainment. He and his beloved wife, Pam, shared a love for travel and especially cherished their trip to Africa in August 2008. They created many memories with their friends in Cabo San Lucas Mexico where they traveled often. In Cabo Evan was able to enjoy his life long love of fishing, often having huge catches of marlin, dorado and tuna. Despite Evan's love of travel, the two places he loved best were right here in Georgia. Evan and Pam raised their three children at their home in Vinings. Evan was very content to live and entertain in their home in Atlanta, but he never turned down the chance to make the short drive up to Lake Burton whenever the opportunity presented itself. Evan felt a special kinship with the North Georgia Mountains. He repeatedly stated that some of his warmest memories relate to sunset cruises on Lake Burton with Pam and their loving and supportive set of Lake Burton friends. One of Evan's favorite past times was fly-fishing for huge rainbow trout in the Soque River in North Georgia. He was a skilled angler who always released his trophy catch unharmed. Before he died, Evan told one of his close friends that he was looking forward to finding the greatest fishing hole in heaven. Evan truly loved nature and felt totally at home in the outdoors. Always charming and easy to be around - Evan will be missed by all who knew him. Evan's first sales position was in Atlanta with Shell Oil Company. Subsequently he worked with Xerox and Baxter Travenol. In 1974, Evan obtained his real estate license and began working with Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate. He specialized in the marketing and sales of multi-family properties. Evan continued his real estate career with Merrill Lynch where he launched their first multi-family division. From there, he moved to the Johnstown American Commercial Real Estate Services Company before co-founding his first company, The Apartment Group, Inc. in 1996. At The Apartment Group, Evan's entrepreneurial skills were honed and the company was the first to specialize exclusively in the sale of multi-family housing opportunities on the East Coast of the United States. Evan's leadership in the multi-family industry has been recognized for over thirty years. He was a member of the Atlanta Apartment Association, the National Apartment Association, the Urban Land Institute, the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors and the National Multi-Housing Counsel. Evan served as Board Member of the FSU Business School of Real Estate, endowing the Evan Jennings Speakers Series in Real Estate. In Atlanta Evan served as a Director of the Link Counseling Center and St. Anne's School. Evan's honesty, easy smile, sense of humor and keen mind will forever remain an impermeable memory etched on the minds of his many friends and family members. Evan never lost his willingness to help others. Whether he was dressing up as a bunny on Easter to visit children at Egleston Hospital, serving at a soup kitchen or hand delivering presents to the homeless at Christmas, Evan was not a braggart. He was a man who truly appreciated the good fortune that he enjoyed for his 65 years here on earth. Evan's departure from this earth is a loss for all - most notably, it is a loss for his best friend, Pam Jennings, married since 1983. They were devoted to each other throughout their marriage and Pam's unending support of Evan during his bout with cancer was a great source of comfort and support to him. Evan loved his three children very much and provided love, support and unwavering devotion to Trevor, Lauren and Evan. His life will remain with them as an example of a life well-lived. Evan always maintained that he felt like of one the luckiest men in the world. He lived in a time and era when a person could achieve success for himself and his family through a combination of hard work, guts and vision. Evan personified that formula for success and he created a good life for his family. Evan found peace during the difficult last stages of his life through support from friends, family and prayer. Darby and Riley, Evan's faithful dogs provided constant comfort in his last days. In addition to his wife and children, Evan is survived by three brothers and a sister. The family would like to express their appreciation to assistants Richard Manus and John Wallace who provided Evan with gentle care and patience. Also appreciation is expressed to Dr. Gil Watson who befriended Evan in the last few months and who provided spiritual support and loving kindness. A Memorial Service and celebration of Evan's life will be held Tuesday, June 1st at 1:00 p.m. at Northside United Methodist Church with visitation following the service in the Faith and Arts Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Evan's name to Hospice Atlanta, 1244 Park Vista Drive, Atlanta, GA 30319 or the Orr Brain Tumor Navigator Fund, c/o Piedmont Hospital, 1968 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on May 31, 2010
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