Stirling Properties Announces President and CEO Marty Mayer to Retire, Townsend Underhill Named Successor

Stirling Properties announces that after 36 years of service, President and CEO Marty Mayer will retire at the end of 2023. At that time, Stirling’s current President of Development and Partner, Townsend Underhill, will assume the role of President and CEO.    Since joining Stirling in 1986 and assuming the role of President in 2002 …

President’s Message: The Butterfly Effect

Sometimes amidst all the noise, turmoil, and vitriol that seemingly bombard us endlessly, it can be difficult to pause and remember what’s truly important in life. And sometimes, that reminder can come in very unexpected ways. Recently, I have been reminded of how our individual actions, albeit small at the time, can have a ripple …

President’s Message: The Death Knell of Retail Real Estate Is Exaggerated

I am sure you have all read attention-grabbing news headlines such as these and share the same concerns regarding the future of retail real estate. In this new era of constant access to millions of digital media streams, dramatic headlines cut through the clutter and generate more attention. Drama sells. But despite all the negativity …

Forward New Orleans Coalition Releases Final Municipal Progress Report

Forward New Orleans (FNO) is a broad coalition of 25 civic, neighborhood, and business organizations. The group is tasked with creating an issues-based platform designed to educate voters and engage candidates for mayor and city council in seeking to identify and implement best practices that will improve opportunities and the quality of life for the …

New Orleans is returning to the global stage

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending GNO, Inc.’s annual meeting appropriately themed “GNO Global.” The event focused on the reflection of New Orleans’s “global past, present progress, and world-class future.” New Orleans was once the most diverse city in the country—the largest in the South—and served as a premier export metropolis. But during …

President’s Message: The Year of Possibility!

Last year, around this time, I wrote a message about being prepared during times of uncertainty. Little did I know then how prophetic those words would really be during 2016. And now, as we cautiously welcome 2017, we face even greater uncertainty in our industry—and the country as a whole. So, being prepared is even …

Debunking E-Commerce Myths

We’ve recently heard of fake news stories, hoaxes, and fabricated plots that have permeated headlines lately—and, unfortunately, the negative consequences that some have caused. One such fictitious headline that’s running rampant is “the death of the shopping mall” and countless more tales of online sales putting brick-and-mortar stores out of business. But the reality is …

British Airways to connect London & New Orleans with nonstop flights

This morning, British Airways announced it was initiating a direct flight between New Orleans and London. This is truly a “game changer” for our region and a confirmation about the outlook for the Gulf South economy. The effort to bring British Airways back was years long and required presenting a strong regional business support throughout …

President’s Message: Do Something.

Lately, there are days when it is extremely challenging for me not to get discouraged and disgusted by the barrage of tragic news continuously pouring in from around the world, our country, and most recently, our great state of Louisiana. Increasing violence, deafening angry voices, and escalating hatred are sadly becoming the new normal and …