Harley Nakelsky is the new president at Baker Real Estate. (Courtesy Baker RE)

European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (ERE-UN-T) and Canadian Apartment Properties REIT (CAR-UN-T) announced the appointment of Stephen Co to chief financial officer of ERES, replacing Scott Cryer.

Co joined CAPREIT in 2011 and his responsibilities include oversight of the accounting and finance functions, management of budgeting and forecasting, and execution of capital raising strategies. He’ll take over the new role Jan. 1.

In his role as vice-president, finance, he was actively involved in the creation of ERES in March 2019 and since has directed the financial operations of ERES. Prior to joining CAPREIT, Co worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in the assurance practice.

He holds a bachelor of business administration from the University of Toronto, holds a CPA, CA designation and is also a CFA.

CAPREIT provides ERES with responsibility for the role of chief financial officer, which Cryer, CFO of CAPREIT, has held since March 2019. The appointment of Co reflects the maturation of ERES, as well as succession planning by CAPREIT.

Cryer will continue to have an active role in ERES, with CAPREIT being the majority unitholder and asset and property manager of the trust. ERES owns 137 multiresidential properties and retail space in the Netherlands, as well as office properties in Germany and Belgium.

Baker RE promotes Nakelsky to president

Baker Real Estate Incorporated has promoted Harley Nakelsky to president.

“Harley is a seasoned professional who has been a valued member of Baker’s senior leadership team for eight years, providing our clients with sound strategic advice and sales support,” said Baker CEO Barbara Lawlor in the announcement.

The announcement coincides with Baker’s expansion into the Greater Vancouver market with the launch of Baker West.

Jeff Clark, senior vice-president, will continue to be responsible for international initiatives, including the development of Baker West. Debbie LaFave, senior vice-president, will continue to lead its business in the Montreal market.

Bergevin now a senior VP at CMLS

CMLS Financial has appointed Pierre Bergevin as senior vice-president and head of national advisory. Based in Toronto, he’ll lead the CMLS commercial real estate advisory business.

Bergevin has more than 30 years of executive and international experience within the commercial real estate industry, including most recently as managing partner at a global real estate advisory firm.

“We are excited to welcome Pierre to the team,” said Sam Brown, senior vice-president at CMLS Financial, in the announcement.

“His extensive leadership experience, deep relationships, community and client-centric approach and demonstrated success in building businesses complement our strong entrepreneurial culture and enhance our coast-to-coast service capabilities.”

Finley moves up at Colliers

Colliers International (CIGI-T) has promoted Rebecca (Becky) Finley to the new role of chief brand and people officer.

Since joining Colliers as senior vice-president, global brand and people nearly three years ago, Finley has provided leadership and oversight of Colliers’ marketing, brand, communication and people strategies. Finley has also played a key role in Colliers’ COVID-19 response and recovery.

“Becky’s promotion is a testament to her accomplishments during her tenure with Colliers, her bias for action, as well as the respect she has earned for her inspired leadership,” said Jay Hennick, global chairman and CEO of Colliers International, in a release.

Finley brings proven leadership experience in branding, culture and business operations from previous roles at Facebook and Instagram Canada where she was business lead and head of technology, telecommunications and media.

She holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management in Toronto, as well as bachelor of education and bachelor of science in mathematics degrees from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont.

IPA recruits veteran Toronto trio

Scott Chandler is one of three new senior managing directors at IPA’s Toronto office. (Courtesy IPA / Marcus & Millichap)

Institutional Property Advisors, a division of Marcus and Millichap, announced the hirings of Scott Chandler, John Stewart and Bill Pitt to join IPA in Toronto. Previously leaders of Colliers International Canada Capital Markets division, Chandler, Stewart and Pitt will be senior managing directors with IPA.

The team brings decades of office, industrial and retail investment sales experience and a far-reaching network of relationships with institutional and private investors.

Over a 30-year career, Chandler has handled $15 billion of commercial real estate transactions. His experience includes tenure as president and CEO of the Canadian operations of Cushman and Wakefield Ltd. and director of Scotia Capital’s investment bank.

Stewart has real estate investment banking experience at BMO Capital Markets and has led disposition assignments in every major market across the country. He brings 14 years and over $7 billion of investment brokerage transaction experience to IPA.

Pitt has more than 30 years of commercial brokerage experience and has brokered $10 billion in transactions across Canada.

Nicoletti new BOMA national chair

The Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA Canada) has welcomed Stephen Nicoletti as its new national chair. Nicoletti has served on the BOMA Canada Board for several years, most recently as vice-chair.

Active in the BOMA community for decades, he earlier served as chair of BOMA Ottawa.

Nicoletti takes the helm of BOMA Canada at a key moment for the organization. Beyond helping the industry address COVID-19 and equity, diversity and inclusion issues, BOMA Canada is investing in BOMA BEST programs.

Ken Dixon, senior vice-president of Epic Investment Services (Alberta) Inc., who saw the organization through the challenges of 2020, will move from chair to past chair.

FirstService hires Kurck, promotes Damaren

Stacey Kurck has been hired as FirstService Residential’s vice-president, client engagement and business development for its Ontario market. (Courtesy FirstService Residential)

Property management firm FirstService Residential hired Stacey Kurck as vice-president, client engagement and business development for its Ontario market, and promoted John Damaren to vice-president of community development and governance.

Kurck’s background includes more than 20 years of experience in business development, marketing, strategic planning and mentorships. Prior to joining FirstService Residential, Kurck established a boutique property management firm specializing in condominium management that was sold in 2017.

Kurck is a registered condominium manager (RCM) and a certified manager of community associations (CMCA).

Damaren is an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience. He leads a team responsible for all aspects of new community start-up through to registration and turnover.

Aceto becomes Mortgage Alliance president

Peter Aceto has been named president of Mortgage Alliance, which is part of M3 Financial Group. Aceto’s long banking industry career includes time as chief executive officer of ING Direct / Tangerine Bank.

Most recently, he was involved in controversy during a tenure as CEO of marijuana company CannTrust. The company was found by Health Canada to have produced marijuana in unlicensed areas of some of its facilities. Aceto was subsequently terminated by CannTrust’s board of directors.

Prior to that, Aceto’s 25-year career in the finance sector included a decade-long tenure as the CEO at Tangerine Bank / ING Direct, which was acquired in 2012 by Scotiabank in a $3-billion transaction.

Well-known as an author and for his speaking engagements, Aceto had risen through the ranks at the then-ING from chief risk officer, chief of staff and chief lending officer USA to become CEO of the bank’s Canadian arm.

Koonin to head Bluebird Storage Management

Bluebird Self Storage has named Jason Koonin CEO of its new third-party storage management for owners of self-storage operations across Canada. The firm currently manages 13 properties across Ontario, Alberta, and Québec with expansion into British Columbia and Nova Scotia planned for early 2021.

Principals Jamie Bennett and Reade DeCurtins launched Bluebird Storage Management, ULC in Toronto. Koonin, a CFA, brings over 20 years of banking industry experience to Bluebird, having led business turnarounds and key strategic initiatives.