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Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) is pleased to announce that industry veteran, Elise Couston, SIOR, has joined the team as senior managing director in the company’s Chicago office.
Prior to joining NGKF, Ms. Couston was an executive vice president and former principal with Paine/Wetzel Associates. She brings 32 years of experience and in-depth, broad-based knowledge of industrial and commercial sales, leasing, business park development and build-to-suit projects, as well as marketing expertise to NGKF. Drawing from her expertise and resources in industrial real estate, Ms. Couston will now be focusing her efforts on the I-88 Corridor for the firm’s industrial team.
“NGKF continues to expand through strategic mergers and acquisitions as well as its targeted recruitment of the industry’s top talent across all specialties,” said Michael Sheinkop, executive vice president and regional managing director in NGKF’s Chicago office. “Our dramatic growth has provided us the unique perspective of knowing that successful and seasoned brokers are cautious to uproot their practice unless the culture is collaborative and entrepreneurial, and offers a resource-rich global platform with stability, evidenced by a strong balance sheet. We recognize Elise as more than just a broker; she is an advisor and unconditional advocate for her clients and will thrive in our unique broker-centric environment.”
Ms. Couston has had many notable achievements throughout her career. Most recently, she was named amongst Bisnow’s 2014 Top 50 Power Women in Chicago. She has also been inducted into Midwest Real Estate News’ Hall of Fame, received the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors’ (SIOR) Largest Industrial Transaction Award nationally and locally, and was named First Industrial Real Estate Trust’s Top Broker of the Year.
Ms. Couston has represented numerous clients over her long-term career, including Liberty Property Trust, IDI, McShane Development, Opus Corporation, and Crown Consolidated Industries, to name a few.
“I have had the opportunity to work closely with Elise in the past, and can personally attest to her dynamic approach, knowledge of the industry and exceptional leadership skills,” added Geoffrey Kasselman, executive managing director and head of NGKF’s national industrial practice. “Her experience as a past SIOR Chicago
Chapter president, along with her signature hands-on approach with every client will enhance our team in Chicago and further strengthen NGKF overall. She is a respected leader and a professional who will be a valuable mentor to our junior team members and I am excited to work alongside her.”
Ms. Couston is active in numerous charitable endeavors. She currently serves as SIOR’s Chicago Chapter charitable co-chair and is responsible for its annual fundraising to benefit the Ada S. McKinley Trunk Scholarship Program. Ms. Couston has also co-chaired the Association of Industrial Real Estate Brokers’ (AIRE’s) annual Food Drive and Toys for Tots fundraisers for the last 15 years. Additionally, she is a founding board member for the Cynthia L. Bischof Memorial Foundation, and was instrumental in facilitating the passage of Cindy’s Law in August of 2009.
Ms. Couston is finishing her term as the 2014 SIOR Chicago Chapter President, is a past president of AIRE, and is a member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Executive Women). She writes the Industrial Insider column for Chicago Industrial Properties.
About Newmark Grubb Knight Frank
Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is one of the world’s leading commercial real estate advisory firms. Together with London-based partner Knight Frank and independently-owned offices, NGKF’s 12,000 professionals operate from more than 330 offices in established and emerging property markets on six continents.
With roots dating back to 1929, NGKF’s strong foundation makes it one of the most trusted names in commercial real estate. NGKF’s full-service platform comprises BGC’s real estate services segment, offering commercial real estate tenants, landlords, investors and developers a wide range of services including leasing; capital markets services, including investment sales, debt placement, appraisal, and valuation services; commercial mortgage brokerage services; as well as corporate advisory services, consulting, project and development management, and property and corporate facilities management services. For further information, visit www.ngkf.com.
NGKF is a part of BGC Partners, Inc., a leading global brokerage company servicing the financial and real estate markets. BGC’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol (NASDAQ: BGCP). BGC also has an outstanding bond issuance of Senior Notes due June 15, 2042, which trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol (NYSE: BGCA). BGC Partners is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Howard W. Lutnick. For more information, please visit http://www.bgcpartners.com/.