John Duda, president of real estate management services in Canada for Colliers International. (Courtesy Colliers)

John Duda has been appointed president of real estate management services in Canada by Colliers International. This is a newly created position for the Canadian business. 

Duda has most recently been serving as executive vice-president, real estate management services. He began his career as director of national property services at CIBC before joining Colliers in 2010. 

Appointed as head of real estate management services in 2017, Duda has driven significant growth both organically and strategically through the development of new service lines and markets. He helped establish the firm’s Asset Advisory Services group and assisted in the expansion of platforms focusing on class-A office, industrial and retail properties. Duda oversees 14 offices across Canada. 

“We have an enterprising team of dedicated professionals across the country, a team I believe to be the best in the industry,” said Duda in a release. “I’m honoured to lead our real estate management services team and foster a culture of leadership, collaboration and flexible solutions based on exemplary service.”

The Canadian Real Estate Management Services team has $17 billion of assets under management, representing 60 million square feet. It has been recognized with numerous awards in international property marketing, outstanding Building of the Year (TOBYs), and sustainability.

Duda is a member of the National Advisory Council of BOMA Canada and serves on the board of Junior Achievement of Central Ontario. He holds an MBA from Queen’s University and a BASc in industrial engineering from the University of Windsor.

AY promotes Fieder to Canadian president

Mark Fieder, a founding principal of Avison Young, has been promoted to president of Canadian operations.

“We’re thrilled that Mark is going to expand his contributions to the Avison Young family by overseeing and guiding all aspects of our Canadian business,” said Mark E. Rose, chair and CEO of Avison Young, in the announcement. “Mark will provide strategic direction covering all real estate activities within our Canadian markets, responding to clients’ and teams’ needs and managing revenue streams. 

“Mark has been – and will continue to be – a model corporate leader and champion of our organization’s culture on both a national and international basis.”

Fieder has been with the company for 30 years and remains a member of the firm’s global executive committee. A principal since 1989, he became chief operating officer of Canadian operations in 2015. He was previously managing director of Eastern Canada and Ontario operations following a 14-year tenure as managing director of AY’s Ontario offices. 

“I am honoured to take on the role of president, Canada as we continue to execute our aggressive growth strategy in this country and across the globe,” said Fieder in the announcement. He will continue to be based at AY’s downtown Toronto headquarters.

New managing directors at AY Toronto

At its Toronto offices, Avison Young principal Joe Almeida has been promoted to managing director, Toronto; and principal Ted Davis will be managing director of the Toronto West office.

“Joe’s and Ted’s promotions reflect their ongoing impressive contributions to Avison Young’s continued growth in the Greater Toronto Area, throughout Southwestern Ontario and across the globe,” says Fieder. “Joe and Ted are true market leaders and we’re thrilled that they are accepting these new challenges.”

Almeida joined Avison Young in 1991 and has been a principal since 2000. He was formerly managing director, Toronto West and contributed to the ongoing growth and success of that office. This move brings him back to downtown Toronto where he began his commercial real estate career.

Davis will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the Toronto West office in Mississauga and will continue to manage the firm’s Southwestern Ontario office.

Davis joined Avison Young in 2010 as a principal and managing director of the firm’s Southwestern Ontario office in Cambridge.

FCT hires data strategy head, managing director

Real estate solutions company FCT has named Daniela DeTommaso head of data strategy, and appointed Jackie Chetcuti managing director of FCT’s residential lending solutions (RLS) division.

DeTommaso will manage the transformation of the lender process and technology. As managing director, Chetcuti will report to DeTommaso and lead the RLS division, including existing products, enhancements, operations and fulfillment.

“FCT is committed to investing in technology and data to enhance the real estate transaction experience for all the parties involved,” said Michael LeBlanc, chief executive officer of FCT, in a release. “Daniela’s experience and vision combined with Jackie’s dynamic leadership will further enhance our ability to provide lenders with a superior suite of products and services.”

The Oakville-based FCT group of companies has over 800 employees across the country, providing title insurance, default solutions and other real estate-related products and services.

New chair at CIM International

CIM International Group Inc. (CIM-CN) has announced Jiubin Feng will become chairman of the board, following the resignation of Dianyuan Zhang. Both Zhang and Thomas Lin have also resigned as directors.

Markham-Based CIM is a diversified industries company engaged in real estate development investment and in mineral resources exploration and development in Canada.

Its primary focus is to seek residential real estate development opportunities in the Toronto area, mineral resource exploration and development properties in Canada, and other attractive technology-based business investment opportunities.

New CFO for FirstShot Fund Inc.

FirstShot Fund Inc. announced Christopher P. Cherry has been appointed its new chief financial officer. Cherry is a chartered professional accountant with experience acting as a CFO and director of public companies.

The Kelowna-based company seeks acquisitions of distressed and vacant mall properties in Canada and the U.S. to be repurposed for “destination sites” where goods and services are not generally available on the internet or in conventional shopping centres.

von Marksfeld joins DLA Piper

DLA Piper Canada LLP announced Mark von Marksfeld has joined the firm as a partner in the Vancouver office. Von Marksfeld practises primarily in banking and secured lending, commercial real estate, and mergers and acquisitions.

His experience includes preparing loan and security documentation for construction lending, asset-based lending, lease financing, M&A financing, loan syndications and standard operating and term credit facilities, as well as providing advice on the application of statutes.

von Marksfeld has also advised on real estate transactions, leasing transactions, acquisitions and divestitures of CRE property, and real estate ownership structures.

Previously, von Marksfield was partner at Lindsay Kenney LLP.