The Denver Metropolitan Commercial Association of REALTORS® (DMCAR) honored its top commercial real estate producers of 2021 in land, industrial, multi-family, office, investment, retail, and small office broker categories at the association’s annual Heavy Hitters Awards. Recognizing his leadership, professionalism, business acumen and unwavering dedication to the association and the industry, DMCAR also paid tribute to Pinnacle Real Estate Advisors Principal Paul Schneider as its Broker of the Year.
In addition, DMCAR recognized its Young Broker of Denver, Top Landlord companies in the office, retail and industrial categories.
Broker of the Year:
A well-respected industrial broker, Schneider has been a Pinnacle top producer four of the past five years and has been recognized as a DMCAR Heavy Hitter numerous times over the past 15 years. Outside of his portfolio of deal-making successes, he has demonstrated his dedication to the commercial real estate profession through his leadership positions and support of DMCAR. Schneider did not blink when asked to consider serving a second year as board president when the association needed consistency and strong guidance to help navigate the challenges presented by COVID.
One of the first employees of Pinnacle Real Estate Advisors in 2006, Schneider was named a principal in 2017.
“Paul bolted out of the gate at full stride from day one,” said Matt Ritter. “He is hard-working, energetic and intelligent, which is a recipe for success in any field. He has taken the reins of and continues to approach each new situation in an innovative and creative way. Not only is he the longest-tenured broker at Pinnacle, but he has also been instrumental in starting and growing the industrial side of our business and serving as a leader and mentor to many young brokers and employees over the last decade and a half,” added Ritter.
As both a member and leader of DMCAR, Schneider has been proactively involved in shaping the direction of the organization, as well as driving successes in the association’s political advocacy efforts, industry education and business leadership positions, as well as charitable work.
“Paul is the first person to serve DMCAR for two terms as President and his passion and vision for the organization have made us even more successful than when he took over,” said current president Charley Will. “His energy and focus have kept our board and our membership engaged.”
DMCAR CEO Rachel Marion added, “Paul wholeheartedly embraces the commercial real estate industry, but more than that, he is one of those people who is genuinely fun to work with. He brings a sharp mind and great sense of humor to every discussion. He has been a vital part of our leadership team through one of the most challenging times in DMCAR’s history and he has helped position the organization for success in the years ahead.”
DMCAR’s Heavy Hitters award recipients by category:
Top Multi-Family Brokers – Pamela Koster and Jordan Robbins, JLL – with $1.9 billion in individual production, the team’s year was highlighted by a $619 million portfolio sale, a $435 million apartment deal in Highlands Ranch and a LoDo apartment sale that hit more than $1 million per unit on their way to earning the Heavy Hitter honor in the Multifamily category.
Top Land Brokers – Martin Roth and Eric Roth, CBRE – the $61.5 million sale of the 25-plus acre Johnson & Wales University Denver Campus helped propel the Roth brothers to $91.3 million in individual 2021 production.
Top Industrial Broker – Jim Bolt, CBRE – highlighted by a deal for client Becknell that included a one-million-square-foot Lowes lease agreement followed by the sale of the property before it was completed, the perennial Heavy Hitter achieved $187.6 million in personal production.
Top Office Broker – Patrick Bolick, JLL – A wide range of transactions in 2021 was highlighted by the Invesco Funds sale and 287,000-square-foot lease to Boom Technology in Centennial, and relocation of Invesco to Plaza Tower One. Bolick earned personal production of $92.5 million.
Top Investment Broker –– Tim Richey, CBRE – highlights included the late 2021 sale of the VF Corp. building for a record-breaking per square foot price and the sale of the final assets of the Etkin Johnson portfolio, Richey’s personal production totaled $532 million.
Top Retail Broker – Courtney Key, SullivanHayes – with pent-up demand following COVID lockdowns and retailers coming out of hibernation, Key worked on high profile projects including Lot 28 in RiNo and The Exchange at Boulevard One on her way to personal production of $54.3 million.
Top Small Office Broker – Russell Gruber, Gruber Commercial Real Estate – with $32.2 million in personal production, Gruber highlighted his 15-year customer relationship that served as the foundation of a four-building spec industrial park which came to fruition and full occupancy in 2021.
Young Brokers of Denver:
DMCAR’s 2021 Young Broker of Denver – Alex Possick and Rich Ritter, Northmarq Capital – highlights included the sale of Durango’s Rocket Pointe Apartments, as well as the sale and new financing of a $42 million, two-asset portfolio in Colorado Springs on their way to personal production of $92.4 million.
Top Landlords 2021:
DMCAR recognized the 2021 Top Landlords in the Office, Retail and Industrial categories. Association members were asked to submit nominations for their top choices in the submarket that the individual broker practices.
“We’re incredibly proud to honor and celebrate the achievements of our industry’s top producers over the past year,” said DMCAR CEO Rachel Marion. “Our association’s success and strong national reputation have been earned through the incredible focus, hard work and leadership from across our nearly 2,000 members.”