Transwestern Hires AI Director as Real Estate Firms Expand Teams
Transwestern appointed Ashley Rath as senior director for data and information technology, tasking her with leading large-scale data, analytics and AI initiatives tied to revenue growth and client experience. Rath brings nearly 20 years of experience, most recently as an AI and data portfolio director at Cushman & Wakefield.
The hire signals continued investment in tech capabilities across major commercial real estate firms. Rath will report to Jason Moersch, executive managing director of business intelligence, innovation and technology.
Regional Expansions and Leadership Changes
Cushman & Wakefield added three leasing professionals to its Minneapolis office: Brian Helmken and Erik Heltne as senior directors, and Addison Carlson as senior associate. All three previously worked at Avison Young and will handle leasing advisory across the Twin Cities and Greater Minneapolis region.
Avison Young promoted Patrick Schmidt to principal and managing director of its national project and construction management platform. Schmidt has 33 years of experience in the field. He replaces Stephen Silverstein, who moves to principal and managing director for global business development and enterprise accounts.
Chicago's Greenstone Partners acquired D4 Realty and appointed its founder, Dave Schraufnagel, as senior director of investment sales and leasing. Schraufnagel brings 25 years of experience and will lead investment sales and leasing across Chicagoland.
New Ventures and Practice Leadership
Dallas-based BLDR Holdings launched Texbuilt, a commercial construction division headquartered in Irving. George Heath leads the company as president, with Matthew Connors as vice president of operations and Bobby Bass as director of preconstruction.
Ginsberg Jacobs, a Chicago law firm, named Tim Franzen partner and chair of its hospitality real estate practice. Franzen spent nearly 30 years in hospitality real estate law and most recently served as chief development officer at Placemakr, a venture capital-backed residential and hospitality operator.
DIG Architecture appointed Suzette Bather as managing principal of its Queens office. She will oversee the office's growth and develop strategic partnerships across the New York metropolitan area.
Los Angeles firm Rand Paster & Nelson promoted four attorneys to partner: Fred Gaines (land use entitlements and environmental reviews), Sherman Stacey (land use planning and regulatory compliance), Kimberly Rible (land use and environmental law) and Alicia Bartley (property transaction litigation and real estate development).
For professionals in real estate and construction, these moves reflect ongoing demand for specialized expertise in technology, leasing, and project management. Learn more about AI for Real Estate & Construction or explore the AI Learning Path for Real Estate Brokers.
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