Washington, D.C., December 24, 2025
News Summary
Several real estate firms in the D.C. area have announced significant staffing changes and promotions. Key appointments include Max Forrest as senior vice president at Avison Young, along with Melanie Garlock Wolfe’s role at JLL. Other promotions include Guy Buck at Drucker + Falk, Andrew Mazey at Brennan Investment Group, and Hector Arvizo at HPM. These shifts signal a dynamic period for the real estate and construction sectors in the region, pointing to expansive growth and new opportunities.
Washington, D.C. – Major staffing changes and promotions have been announced across several real estate firms in the D.C. area, reflecting a dynamic shift within the industry. Notable changes include the appointment of Max Forrest as a senior vice president at Avison Young’s Washington, D.C. office, aimed at expanding its tenant representation practice. Forrest arrives with over a decade of experience, previously serving as corporate managing director at Savills, where he advised nonprofit groups and corporations in the region.
In Atlanta, JLL has announced the addition of Melanie Garlock Wolfe as vice president of office agency leasing. Wolfe will concentrate on office leasing, project marketing, and client investment strategies and brings with her a wealth of experience from positions at Partners Real Estate, CBRE, and Cushman & Wakefield, where she managed corporate accounts for notable companies such as EY and Truist Bank.
Gilbane Building Company has also made headway with internal promotions, advancing Ryan Sitnik to senior director of business development for the Southeast, where he will focus on project work in states including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia. Meanwhile, Drucker + Falk has promoted its Chief Financial Officer, Guy Buck, to president effective January 1, succeeding Jim Ledbetter, who is retiring.
Another promotion within the region comes from Brennan Investment Group, which has elevated Andrew Mazey to senior vice president for Atlanta and Nashville after he joined the company in 2023 from Merus. HPM has also announced the hiring of Hector Arvizo as director of project controls at its Dallas office; he has previously held project management roles in multiple firms, adding substantial expertise to HPM’s operations.
In addition, Skender has promoted several leaders within its organization, with Andy Halik becoming president, Brian Bukowski taking on the role of chief operating officer, and Brian Simons leading Indiana operations. In the property management sphere, CBRE has appointed Emily White as the property management market leader for Atlanta, leveraging her 20 years of experience in the field.
At Hoar Construction, Jason Bennett and Brady Johnson have been promoted to regional president roles, with Bennett responsible for Nashville operations and Johnson overseeing Texas divisions. Avison Young furthered its interests by promoting Marti Grizzle to vice president in Houston, where she will be part of the office landlord representation team.
On the West Coast, Redwood West has hired Curtis Ellmore as managing director and Dillon Knight as senior vice president, focusing on office and industrial clientele in the Orange County region. Furthermore, Portman Holdings has onboarded Jon Harmon as senior vice president to lead its industrial development in Texas, marking the launch of its industrial platform in high-growth markets.
These staffing changes and strategic promotions illustrate an ongoing realignment in the real estate and construction sectors, signifying growth and new opportunities in the D.C. metro area and beyond.
FAQ
Who was appointed as senior vice president at Avison Young?
Max Forrest was appointed as a senior vice president in Avison Young’s Washington, D.C. office.
What role did Melanie Garlock Wolfe take on at JLL?
Melanie Garlock Wolfe joined JLL as vice president of office agency leasing in Atlanta.
What promotion did Guy Buck receive at Drucker + Falk?
Guy Buck was promoted to president effective January 1, succeeding Jim Ledbetter, who is retiring.
What position was Andrew Mazey promoted to at Brennan Investment Group?
Andrew Mazey was promoted to senior vice president for Atlanta and Nashville at Brennan Investment Group.
Who was hired as director of project controls at HPM?
Hector Arvizo was hired as director of project controls at HPM, based in its Dallas office.
Key Features Summary Chart
| Company | New Role | Location | Previous Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avison Young | Senior Vice President | Washington, D.C. | Corporate Managing Director at Savills |
| JLL | Vice President of Office Agency Leasing | Atlanta | Partners Real Estate, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield |
| Drucker + Falk | President | N/A | Former CFO |
| Brennan Investment Group | Senior Vice President | Atlanta and Nashville | Joined from Merus |
| HPM | Director of Project Controls | Dallas | Various Project Management Roles |
| Gilbane Building Company | Senior Director of Business Development | Southeast Region | Extensive Previous Experience |
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Additional Resources
- CoStar: Avison Young Expands D.C. Tenant Team
- Wikipedia: Real Estate
- Bisnow: The D.C. Deal Sheet
- Google Search: Commercial Real Estate
- Dignity Memorial: Adina Nyce Obituary
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Office
- Bisnow: U.S. Investment Sales Up Over 25% YoY
- Google News: Real Estate Trends
- Facilities Dive: Optimism in Commercial Real Estate
- Google Scholar: Commercial Real Estate Leasing
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