KAI hired architect Brien Graham as Civic, Municipal & Cultural Market Leader at its Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, office.

In his new role, Graham will lead KAI’s efforts to deliver innovative design solutions tailored to the unique needs of this market across the region, state and nationally. Additionally, he will oversee project management, channel team alignment and growth through mentorship, and strategically drive market positioning, sales and profit management.

An award-winning architect with over 20 years of industry experience, Graham has held positions prior to KAI that include Senior Project Manager at LPA, Inc.; Associate/Project Manager at Richmond Group; and Director of Facilities/Project Manager at Concord Church.

Graham’s project portfolio holds a wide variety of design expertise spanning a multitude of industries ranging from higher education, workplace, hospitality, PreK-12 and more. Notable portfolio projects include:

• Remington College Culinary School – Garland, TX
• Broughton Recreation Center – Longview, TX
• Police Services of Salinas Headquarters – Salinas, CA
• St. John’s Lower and Middle Schools – Houston, TX
• Victor H. Hexter Elementary School – Dallas, TX
• Texas Security Bank – Southlake, TX
• Memorial Heights Villages – Houston, TX
• Trophy Club Country Club – Trophy Club, TX

Of his many distinguished industry awards, the more recent include the 2023 AIA Young Architect Award, 2022 AIA Dallas Presidential Citation, 2021 AIA Fort Worth Community Award, and 2020 Texas Society of Architects Presidential Citation.

Graham is also a 2023 graduate of the inaugural AIA National Leadership Academy comprised of 14 architects selected from around the country to participate in a three-year leadership development program designed for architects ready for the next level of accomplished leadership in their firm, profession and community.

Graham currently serves on the Texas Society of Architects (TxA) Board of Directors. He is also the 2023-2025 AIA Strategic Council Texas representative and the 2023-2024 Treasurer for DFW NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects).

Most recently, he was elected as the 2024-2025 NOMA South Region Vice President and previously served as the 2021-2022 DFW NOMA Chapter President, 2022 AIA Dallas At-Large Board Member, Chair of the TxA EDI Committee and member of AIA Dallas’s Education Outreach Committee.

The Woodlands, Texas – Jeff Beard, CCIM, Managing Director of SVN | J. Beard Real Estate, has announced the recent addition of two Senior Advisors, Karyn Jackson Stephens and Robert Noack.

A Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), Karyn Jackson Stephens possesses over 25 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. With varied experience in the sales and leasing of all asset classes, she specializes in the acquisition and disposition of multi-family and investment assets. Leveraging her extensive experience and market knowledge, Stephens is dedicated to adding value to her clients’ portfolios. She is known for her hands-on approach and client-centric philosophy, as she goes above and beyond the role of a traditional broker. 

With a decade of experience and a deep connection to the city of Houston, Robert Noack is a distinguished figure in Houston’s industrial commercial brokerage scene. He is dedicated to assisting his clients with the development and sustainability of industrial business parks through innovation, integrity, and positive transformation. As a key player in both the local and regional real estate markets, Noack’s contributions far exceed his niche and reflect his commitment to the growth and prosperity of both his clients and the entire Greater Houston area.

“We welcome the addition of both Karyn and Robert to our team of talented professionals,” said Beard. “Their skill sets and proven experience make them incredible assets to our team, as their contributions further enhance our capabilities for our clientele and fill a need in our firm’s growing and expanding business.”

Tanya Ragan left her first career in the fashion industry in New York City over 19 years ago to pursue the Barnett Shale boom in Texas. Years later, she returns as a commercial real estate trailblazer and luminary. 

Ms. Ragan receives the equivalent of a Golden Ticket to join select industry power players from all across the country for an evening with the best of the best gathered in one room. Known for her glass-shattering bravado as a female entrepreneur, Ms. Ragan consistently defies limitations and rewrites the script, which earned her this elite invitation. Whether it’s moving a building brick by brick to a new location in the interest of historic preservation, revitalizing entire sectors of an urban core economically and socially, or quietly amassing the largest tract of land in a booming suburb, she doesn’t take no for an answer and raises the bar for all who follow in her path.

Out of 3000 ticket requests, Ms. Ragan is one of only 175 CRE professionals to be invited to this red-carpet, black-tie event—the Real Estate X Gala. This epic evening is hosted by New York real estate legends Don Tepman and Bob Knakal. The details are secretive and not available to the public.

Introducing the phenomenal #Retwit group, born from the popular X community and transforming the commercial real estate landscape! With a following of the industry’s top movers and shakers across the country, this group is making waves. Recently, its members have been featured in high-profile profiles, garnering attention from notable publications, including The New York Times and The Real Deal. Keep an eye on this explosive growth – the #Retwit community is taking the commercial real estate world by storm!

Organizations and media outlets can interview Ms. Ragan or invite her to speak during her time in NYC, April 23rd – 30th. Her brass-tack professional advice, bold and pioneering entrepreneurial influence, or even ‘how-to-dress to command a room” makes her a crowd favorite.

Among countless other awards, Ms. Ragan is a three-time Globe Street Women of Influence winner. She is a sought-after public speaker, a frequent podcast guest, and a renowned influencer both in CRE and for women and entrepreneurs. Some of her projects have been featured in Architectural Digest, The Business Journals, Buildings Magazine, Business Insider, Dallas Morning News, DCEO, ICSC, CBS Evening News, and many other media outlets. Her thousands of social media followers look to her for inspiration and guidance on how to succeed, particularly in areas that are in need of greater diverse representation.

HOUSTON – Cushman & Wakefield announced today that the commercial real estate services firm has hired Kristie Luby as Managing Director and leader of property management efforts in Houston. Luby will be responsible for overseeing a team of 45 professionals across a portfolio of 28 million square feet. 

“We are excited for Kristie to join us in Houston as our new city leader for property management. Since 2021, we have been hyper focused on growing this market and have more than tripled our portfolio during that time.Kristie’s knowledge and experience will lend itself to continuing to expand our presence locally,” said Brett Williams, Executive Managing Director and Central Region Lead for Property Management at Cushman & Wakefield. 

Luby has over 20 years of commercial real estate experience where her focus has been on leading property management teams to provide the highest level of service and value to their clients. Throughout her career, she has earned the trust and confidence of clients through her integrity, ownership mindset, and dedication. She has also been recognized consistently as being a leader who motivates and improves team performance and prides herself on operational excellence. Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, she was in a regional leadership role for the property management business across Texas for Avison Young.

“Kristie is an incredible addition to our group in Houston. Her proven ability to effectively serve clients and their properties will blend well with our existing approach to property management, and she will play a key role in ushering this business platform forward,” added Clint Bawcom, Managing Principal of Cushman & Wakefield’s Houston office. 

Luby earned her Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). During 2021 and 2022, she was on the IREM Education Committee where she played a key role in transforming the coursework for their Property Management 101 course. Today, she is still involved with IREM and a member of other industry organizations including the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). 

“I am very honored and excited to join the Cushman & Wakefield team and to work with some of the best leaders in the industry. Cushman & Wakefield’s Houston property management business has had amazing growth under the leadership of Brett Williams. I am honored to step into this role and do my part to help continue the upward growth and to support our clients and our property management professionals,” noted Luby.

ALLEN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–FTK Construction Services, a nationwide General Contractor with completed projects in 33 states, is pleased to announce the promotion of Desiray Taylor to Vice President, Human Resources, effective immediately.

As the Vice President of Human Resources, Desiray is responsible for all Human Resources needs companywide for FTK. She manages recruitment, onboarding and offboarding, performance counseling, employment records, training, and certifications. Additionally, she oversees benefits management and administration, including healthcare, 401k, life insurance and ancillary services, as well as staff training events throughout the year. Prior to her promotion to Vice President, Desiray was the Director of Human Resources for the company. Before joining FTK in 2013, Desiray had over eight years of administrative experience in the construction industry.

John Sheehan has joined Colliers as an executive vice president with its Occupier Services group.

A multi market-specialist, Sheehan will advise corporate clients across the U.S., advising on real estate strategy and executing lease and sales transactions.

Sheehan joins from CBRE where, as a Senior Vice President, he led the pursuit of new portfolio accounts. Over the past five years, he represented U.S. and global occupier accounts including Buckingham Strategic Wealth, Caleres, SSM Health, TTM Technologies and The Keefe Companies. In 2023, his efforts resulted in more than $165.8 million in transaction volume, including three corporate headquarters relocations. 

Sheehan is also a committed civic leader and has served his community throughout his professional career. He currently sits on the board of directors of numerous organizations including the American Cancer Society’s CEO’s Against Cancer, The Magic House Children’s Museum, Logos School, and St. Louis Public Radio. He also serves as the Regional Board Chair for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.