Dream Residential REIT has announced Brian Pauls will become CEO effective June 6, replacing Jane Gavan who will remain on the REIT's board of trustees.

“We are excited to welcome Brian to the REIT’s executive management team,” Gavan said in the announcement, which was made in conjunction with the trust's Q1 financial results. “Having overseen the successful launch and inaugural fiscal year of the REIT, I believe that it is now an opportune time for Brian to lead the REIT through the next phase of growth and value creation for our unitholders.

"He has substantial experience with the U.S. multifamily market, our initial portfolio and has served as a trustee since the REIT’s inception, which will make for a smooth transition. Brian has an established track record of leadership, having overseen the growth, transformation, and success of Dream Industrial REIT.”

Pauls has been CEO of Dream Industrial for the past five years and will continue to hold that position. He is also the executive vice-president, industrial of Dream, and serves as the president of PAULS Corp LLC.

He has over 25 years of industry experience and was responsible for developing over eight million square feet of industrial properties in Canada and the U.S.

“I am pleased to be joining the REIT’s management team,” said Pauls in the announcement. “Jane has done a tremendous job of taking the REIT public and will be focused on running and further expanding Dream Unlimited Corp.’s asset management business.”

Pauls has a bachelors degree in economics and business from Westmont College and a masters in real estate and construction management from the University of Denver.

Déry heads Canada Lands Company

Stéphan Déry has been appointed by the federal government as president and CEO of Canada Lands Company for a four-year term.

Déry joins Canada Lands Company from the Government of Canada where he most recently served as assistant deputy minister of real property services at Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).

Déry was responsible for the delivery of real property services to federal departments and agencies. Prior to his appointment, Déry was CEO for the translation bureau and PSPC’s regional director general for the Atlantic Region. 

Over his 30-year career in the public service, he also held executive positions in the areas of real property, acquisitions and corporate services within Public Services and Procurement Canada and at Library and Archives Canada. 

He is also the president of The Workplace Network and a board member of the Canadian Green Building Council.

Colliers hires Macdonald as senior managing director

Colliers has named Tracy Macdonald senior managing director, industrial for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where she will lead the firm’s advisors and operations staff.

Macdonald’s real estate experience spans over 25 years in office, industrial and newly constructed developments. 

She has worked with several major real estate advisors and managed groups of leasing professionals across the GTA for numerous institutional clients. 

She is also newly appointed to the SIOR Canada Central Chapter Board of Directors.

She joins Colliers from Triovest, where she was senior vice-president, commercial leasing, responsible for a property portfolio of 23 million square feet of office, industrial and development assets in the GTA and Montreal.

Pristovsek becomes a VP at Oxford

Oxford Properties Group has appointed Tina Pristovsek as vice-president, real estate finance and capital markets - Europe. Based in London, Pristovsek will help develop and implement financing strategies for Oxford’s European business.

Pristovsek will also be responsible for monitoring and managing the company’s $4.49 billion Cdn existing European debt portfolio, including co-ordinating its loan compliance efforts in the region.

Pristovsek joins Oxford from Bank of America, where she spent over 11 years and was most recently a director in the EMEA real estate structured finance team in London, responsible for leading a number of large, high-profile transactions including the $1.69 billion sustainability-linked refinancing of 22 Bishopsgate, the flagship state-of-the-art London office tower.

Previously, Pristovsek worked with the EMEA commercial real estate team at Deutsche Bank. 

Blair new managing partner at Colonnade BridgePort

Colonnade BridgePort has hired Andrew Blair as managing partner of its investment and fund management business.

As managing partner, Blair will draw on his combination of institutional, private equity and public company real estate experience across numerous markets and multiple asset classes. 

His previous positions include head of real estate investments – Americas at CPP Investments, executive vice-president and COO of TrizecHahn Development, and president and CEO of both StorageNow and Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities.

Horsman named to AIMCo board

Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) announced the appointment of Jon Horsman to the board of directors effective July 1 for a three-year term. 

Based in Calgary, Horsman is an executive finance and banking professional who most recently served as senior executive vice-president, business, ATB Financial and CEO, ATB Capital Markets, where he was responsible for the strategy, direction and leadership of ATB's presence in business markets.

He started his financial service career with ATB in 2003, during which time he has held increasingly senior roles – including co-head of corporate financial services and chairman and CEO of AltaCorp Capital.

He holds a bachelor of arts in philosophy from Gonzaga University and a master of business administration from the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta.

Horsman’s appointment fills the vacancy left by Jacqueline Sheppard, following her retirement Dec. 31.

Waxman leaves CFO job at Sykline

Skyline Investments Inc. announced Rob Waxman has stepped down from his position as chief financial officer. Waxman is leaving for personal reasons and will assist the company with transitioning his responsibilities for the remainder of the year.

Waxman has led many strategic initiatives, including modernizing the finance function, financially navigating the company through COVID and most recently refinancing all of the company’s secured debt. 

“We are disappointed that Rob is leaving Skyline, but we want to thank him for his commitment and dedication to the company over the past five years,” Blake Lyon, Skyline’s CEO, said in the announcement.

“Rob helped Skyline through arguably the most difficult years our industry has faced, with Skyline coming out of COVID with less debt and more cash than when it started.”

Neha Kapelus, VP, finance, has been appointed as a signing officer of the company, reporting directly to the CEO. 

Garrett becomes HBNG Holborn Group president

Wayne Garrett has been appointed to the new position of president at HBNG Holborn Group.

He brings over 40 years of experience in the construction industry to his new role, where he will share his expertise in developing and building industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings.

Before joining HBNG, Garrett served as president of Maystar General Contractors (an HBNG company), where he oversaw a wide range of construction projects, including multi-storey retirement residences, multiple TTC and hospital upgrades as well as the Vaughan Civic Centre.

He was responsible for developing and implementing business strategies to increase revenue and improve efficiency.

Dealpath appoints Lo as Canadian head

Dealpath has appointed Jason Lo as managing director and head of Canada. Lo will be responsible for leading the company’s go-to-market (GTM) strategy in Canada.

Lo joins Dealpath from Altus Group, where he most recently served as senior vice-president of go-to-market, intelligence, and strategy after heading up GTM execution for its data solutions division.

Prior to Altus Group, he was vice-president of sales and client services at RealNet Canada.

He has also held leadership roles at other firms including FiLogix, where he was a part of its sale to Davis + Henderson Credit Solutions Group, and co-founded GUI Software Systems which was acquired by FiLogix. 

Lo holds a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and Real Estate Council of Ontario.