ALLEN, Texas – FTK Construction Services, a nationwide General Contractor with completed projects in 33 states, is pleased to announce that Drew Cowan has been promoted from Director of Construction to Vice President of Construction, Market Rate and Insurance Division, effective immediately.

Mr. Cowan will be responsible for the financial performance and project production of FTK’s Market Rate and Insurance Project Division nationwide. He has been with FTK for almost 10 years, starting with the company in September of 2014 as a Project Superintendent. He was quickly promoted to a Project Manager, applying his experience to all facets of construction and project management, including completing countless Market Rate/Conventional projects, Insurance projects, and six LIHTC/Affordable Housing projects. He was appointed to the Director of Construction position in 2022. Cowan was also the recipient of the “2019 FTK Founder’s Award,” an annual award that recognizes dedication, commitment, and expertise in construction processes and procedures for the 250 plus projects that FTK averages per year. Cowan attended the University of North Texas and received his bachelor’s degree from that institution.

About FTK Construction Services

FTK Construction Services is a nationwide full-service General Contractor, with three divisions of Multifamily expertise: Affordable Housing/Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Preservation Projects, Multifamily Renovations and Disaster Services/Insurance related property damage restoration. FTK has completed projects in 33 states to date and has delivered over 5,300 Affordable Housing/LIHTC units. To learn more, visit our website at ftkconstructionservices.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

Coldwell Banker Commercial^®announced its 2023 award recipients across numerous Coldwell Banker Commercial company, office and affiliated professional categories at this year’s annual Global Conference held in Denver.

“We’re proud to celebrate the achievements of our Coldwell Banker Commercial top award winners, these brokerage professionals and affiliates are trailblazers in the industry and it’s our brand’s mission to support their business growth,” Dan Spiegel, SIOR, senior vice president and managing director of Coldwell Banker Commercial.

“This recognition is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our incredible professionals throughout 2023 and celebrating these accomplishments is our great privilege every year. Congratulations to all of the award winners!”

Listed below are the winners of each award.

Halter/Case Leadership Award: This award is presented to an individual in memory of two of Coldwell Banker Commercial’s finest professionals: Caine Halter, owner of Coldwell Banker Commercial Caine in Greenville, SC and Ray Case, owner of Coldwell Banker Commercial Atlantic International in Charleston, SC.

• Bob Fredrickson, President of Coldwell Banker Commercial Danforth in Federal Way, WA

3 Under 30: Awarded annuallyto three young commercial real estate professionals who are making strides in the industry by understanding the importance of building strong customer and community relationships.

• Alex Owen of Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate Group in Chicago, IL
• Gennadiy Kapkanov of Coldwell Banker Commercial Realty in Philadelphia, PA
• Marlee Kutzer of Coldwell Banker Commercial Alamo City in San Antonio, TX

Mentor / Protégé of the Year: This award is presented to one Coldwell Banker Commercial team whose dedicated mentor has demonstrated leadership qualities by formally guiding a colleague to successful practices in the commercial real estate industry, and the protégés who have demonstrated commitment and promise to the Coldwell Banker Commercial franchise system.

• Mentor: Bill Ukropina, Coldwell Banker Commercial Realty in Pasadena, CA
• Protégé: Kathi Constanzo, Coldwell Banker Commercial Realty in Pasadena, CA

Office Contributor Award: This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated that they have increased the office’s profitability, boosted sales and marketing production, enhanced recruitment and retention efforts, and provided leadership in the office.

• Liz Rouse of Coldwell Banker Commercial SC in Temecula, CA has been recognized as an individual responsible for propelling the growth of the office.

Pathfinder Award: This award is presented annually to the owner, manager, sales professional, or Coldwell Banker Commercial affiliate company employee who found an innovative solution to guide their clients or their business to achieve exceptional outcomes in 2023.

• Jelani Linder, Investment Sales and Land Brokerage of Coldwell Banker Commercial Metro Brokers in Atlanta, GA

Big Hearted Award: This award is presented to the office who has made the most significant and impactful contribution in community service during 2023.

• Coldwell Banker Commercial McGuire Mears & Associates in Janesville, WI

KAI 360 Construction Services (360 CS) has hired industry leader Wenguel Yohannes as senior project manager at its Dallas-Fort Worth office.

In her new role at KAI, Yohannes will play a pivotal role in overseeing building design and construction program management initiatives, ensuring the seamless execution of projects from inception to completion while upholding the highest standards of quality, innovation and client satisfaction.

With over 16 years of extensive experience in architecture, project and construction management, Yohannes brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record in delivering successful projects. As a registered architect, Yohannes possesses a unique blend of technical knowledge, design proficiency, and project management skills, making her a valuable asset to the 360 CS team.

In addition to being an architect, she brings extensive healthcare, higher education, multifamily, cultural center, hospitality and senior living market experience having worked from the initial stages of programming through construction in roles as a space planner and construction administrator.

Prior to KAI, Yohannes worked as a Construction Manager for Alamo Manhattan and as an Associate Principal and Sr. Project Architect at Page Southerland Page.

Select projects from her portfolio include:

• Cone Health MedCenter Greensboro at Drawbridge Parkway – Greensboro, NC
• The University of Texas at Dallas Brain Performance Institute – Dallas, TX
• Greenhill School Marshall Family Performing Arts Center – Addison, TX
• Collin College Wylie Campus – Wylie, TX
• CHRISTUS Bossier Emergency Hospital – Bossier City, LA
• Saint Francis Hospital Trauma Emergency Center and Patient Tower – Tulsa, LA

Yohannes has been actively involved in various industry organizations, holding leadership roles that have enabled her to stay at the forefront of emerging trends and best practices in the field. Yohannes has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington, and she is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Vice President of the DFW National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), and Outreach Committee Member of the Texas Society of Architects (TxA).

When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her two sisters and four nephews who also live in the DFW area; volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army; mentoring young adults; playing tennis and traveling.

Greystone announced that Colin Grayson has joined the firm as a Managing Director for its lending business platforms.

Drawing on his nearly 15 years of commercial real estate experience, Mr. Grayson will focus on originating multifamily debt and finance solutions, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, bridge and other proprietary debt products. He is based in Dallas and reports to Vince Mejia, Senior Vice President of Agency Production.

Prior to joining Greystone, Grayson was a Vice President, Multifamily Originations at Lument for eight years. Grayson also held positions in the commercial real estate industry at Legacy Partners Residential Development, Inc., and at CBRE. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Mississippi.

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.”