Michael Hill has been appointed executive vice-president and global head of infrastructure at OMERS. Hill will join OMERS on Sept. 5 and be based in New York, reporting to chief investment officer Ralph Berg.

Hill brings more than 30 years of broadly diversified global investment experience to the role, where he will have accountability and oversight for global infrastructure investment and asset management programs. 

OMERS infrastructure manages approximately $34 billion in assets and had a five-year average net return of 10.2 per cent to the end of 2022.

Hill joins OMERS from CPP Investments, where most recently he was the Americas head of sustainable energies, focused on direct private equity investments across the energy sector. He was also head of the firm’s New York office. 

Previously, Hill spent over 25 years in investment banking, working across asset classes in various roles at Nomura Securities, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley. 

He has worked globally and has been based out of New York, London and Toronto.

King to retire, Sekhon becomes CFO at Genesis

Calgary-based Genesis Land Development Corp. (GDC-T) has made two senior appointments, naming Rob Sekhon CPA, CA as its chief financial officer and Wayne King CPA, CA its senior vice-president, information systems and special projects as he prepares to head into retirement. 

The appointments are effective Sept. 11.

King has been with Genesis since 2017 as CFO, playing an instrumental role in developing the finance team and improving financial reporting systems.

He intends to retire early in 2025 and will focus his efforts on special projects including upgrading Genesis' information systems.

Reporting to president and CEO Iain Stewart, Sekhon will join King as members of the company's executive leadership team. He will lead the finance team in several critical areas including reporting, treasury and cash flow forecasting functions.

Sekhon brings extensive management and financial expertise to Genesis, with 20 years of experience in capital intensive businesses.

His expertise spans core financial functions across income statement and balance sheet management, financial planning and analysis, capital allocation and acquisition integrations.

Richardson to succeed Pantelidis at Parkland

Parkland Corporation (PKI-T) has announced the retirement of Jim Pantelidis, the firm’s board chair. 

He will remain as an advisor to the board, with the honorary title of "chairman emeritus", until the next annual general meeting of shareholders in recognition of his contributions to the company.

For over two decades, Pantelidis guided Parkland through its evolution from a small regional player to an international organization operating in 25 countries.

His replacement is Steven Richardson, who joined the board in 2017 and has served on the human resources and compensation committee and chaired the audit committee.

Richardson has over 30 years of experience in the financial and retail sectors. 

From 2003 to 2009, he held senior financial positions at Hudson's Bay Company, including chief financial officer from 2006 to 2009.

Previously, Richardson held senior executive positions including chief financial officer of Wells Fargo Financial Canada, executive vice-president and chief financial officer of Associates Financial Services of Canada, and chief financial officer of Beneficial Canada. 

He serves on the board of SupremeX Inc., where he chairs the audit committee, and previously served on the boards of RONA Inc. and easyhome Ltd. (currently goeasy Ltd.).

Coleman, Pacaud managing partners at Epic

Epic Investment Services has appointed Craig Coleman and Laetitia Pacaud, ICD.D, CA as managing partners. With the appointments, both Coleman and Pacaud have increased their ownership in Epic.

Coleman has been with the company since 2017 when his company StoneCap Realty Partners merged with Epic Realty Partners.

First appointed as chief operating officer and then co-chief executive officer, Coleman has overseen the expansion of Epic’s investment management business and the growth of the company. 

He will retain the title of chief executive officer.

Pacaud joined Epic in 2019 through a merger.

Under her leadership as chief operating officer and chief financial officer, Epic created its first U.S. Multifamily Value-Add Fund and shortly after launched the One Planet Living Real Estate Impact Fund with its partner. 

Pacaud will retain the titles of COO and CFO.

Di Mascio departs Dream for SvN

SvN Architects + Planners has named Pino Di Mascio its newest partner. 

Di Mascio brings extensive expertise in developing planning solutions to significant challenges, including sustainability, affordable housing and social inclusion.

His new role will focus on identifying and achieving enhanced environmental and social outcomes in the development process.

Before joining SvN, Di Mascio was head of impact strategy and delivery at Dream, where he helped lead the execution of the company’s impact pathways across the Dream Impact Trust portfolio.

During his tenure, he played a critical role in Dream’s successful bid for two significant development projects - LeBreton Flats in Ottawa and Quayside in Toronto. 

His previous work with Sidewalk Labs as director of planning and delivery focused on using urban innovations to achieve impactful social and environmental outcomes for the development community.

Rozenblat new COO at Real Brokerage

The Real Brokerage Inc. (REAX-T) has promoted Jenna Rozenblat to chief operating officer. 

Rozenblat will oversee Real’s day-to-day operations, implement strategies to enhance efficiency and ensure the execution of the company’s vision for its technology platform.

Rozenblat brings 15 years of operations, program management and customer service experience to the role. She joined The Real Brokerage in January as executive vice-president of operations.

Prior to joining Real, Rozenblat spent nearly four years as head of real estate operations leading Orchard’s customer experience and market expansion teams.

Earlier she was CEO of Village Realty, a technology-powered residential real estate brokerage based in Atlanta, and vice-president, program management at Web.com.

Rozenblat holds two bachelor’s degrees from Elon University in Elon, N.C.

Hannon becomes senior V-P at Colliers REMS

Colliers has named Stephanie Hannon senior vice-president and national lead, retail services for Real Estate Management Services (REMS) Canada.

She brings over 24 years of experience to the position, having held progressively senior roles at Cadillac Fairview, First Capital REIT, Ivanhoe Cambridge and Colliers. 

After joining Colliers in 2021 as managing director of the valuation and advisory services group in Ontario, she assumed an additional role as vice-president, enclosed mall leasing with REMS. 

She will oversee REMS’ eight-million-square-foot retail portfolio, valued at $2 billion and encompassing 1,200 tenants across Canada.

Two new MDs at Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield has announced two new executive managing directors for Asset Services Canada – Maria Soklis and Andrea McGowen.

Soklis has over 15 years of experience leading complex global organizations, bringing a diverse perspective and a track record of streamlining operations, maximizing financial performance and developing high-performing teams.

She will focus on aligning operational efficiencies, talent development and financial management.  

McGowen is being promoted from executive managing director of business development and leasing.

With more than 20 years of experience in real estate, she has been a member of Cushman & Wakefield for 10 years, specializing in property management and leasing.

In her expanded role, McGowen will prioritize client service and business development within the asset services platform.   

Deschamps to head up Montreal Port Authority

Geneviève Deschamps has been named interim president and chief executive officer of the Montreal Port Authority. Deschamps was previously the authority’s vice-president, finance.

Outgoing CEO Martin Imbleau will continue to support the MPA during the transition period until Sept. 8.

Deschamps has 25 years' experience in the infrastructure sector. At the Port of Montreal, she was most recently responsible for the organization's financial activities, strategic procurement and risk management.

With a bachelor's degree in business administration, a master's degree in finance and the CPA designation, Deschamps has experience in treasury management, corporate and project financing, insurance and pension plan management. 

Paradigm partners with Vandenbelt in brokerage

Paradigm Commercial Group of Companies has announced a partnership with Sarah Vandenbelt to lead its newly created brokerage division in Ottawa. Vandenbelt has been in the commercial real estate industry for almost a decade and will be the broker of record.

“We are looking forward to building upon our momentum in Ottawa by partnering with a strong industry leader in Sarah Vandenbelt as the founder and CEO of Paradigm Commercial Real Estate and Brokerage," said Ashley Hopkins, CEO of Paradigm Commercial, in the announcement.