Melissa S. Warren
About Melissa
Melissa S. Warren, CCIM is a Senior Commercial Real Estate Advisor and the New Orleans metropolitan market leader for Stirling. She has provided clients with commercial real estate advisory services since 2001. As a Senior Advisor with Stirling in New Orleans, LA, Ms. Warren focuses on industrial, office, and retail sales, leasing, and tenant and landlord representation.
On behalf of clients, Melissa conducted investment, market, financial analysis and negotiated purchase and lease contracts. She coordinates transaction due diligence, site selection services, and user decision analysis, and assists clients with planning and zoning matters. Additionally, Melissa has represented medical clients with medical retail and office site selection services. Before joining Stirling, she was the leasing agent for East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, LA. She has represented financial institutions in the disposition of distressed commercial assets and excess branch disposition. Over the years, she served numerous industrial and bioscience clients providing them with the services of site selection, market analysis, shipyard disposition, industrial park and river terminal land acquisition, ground-up development, and asset disposition.
Ms. Warren’s organizational service includes founding Board Member and Treasurer of the NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association’s Gulf Coast Chapter; past Board Member and President of the NOMAR-CID (New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors – Commercial Investment Division); and past Board Member of LACDB (the Louisiana Commercial Database). Commercial Real Estate professional affiliations include CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member), ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers), NOMAR-CID, NAIOP (the Commercial Real Estate Development Association), New Orleans CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women); WISTA (Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association); and NAIOP (National Real Estate Development Association).
Melissa serves on the Board of the Louisiana SPCA, and volunteers with New Orleans City Park, and Habitat for Humanity.
Before joining Stirling, Ms. Warren was a senior real estate advisor for Grubb & Ellis/ Sawyer Commercial in Gulfport, MS. In 2006, she was designated a (CCIM) upon successfully passing the comprehensive final exam and passing the CCIM Institute’s panel judgment for the portfolio of qualifying industry experience.
After Hurricane Katrina, the mayor of Gulfport, MS selected Ms. Warren to co-chair the committee to rebuild Gulfport Harbor’s Jones Park where she helped spearhead fundraising, architectural charettes, and development designs for the rebuilding of the park.
Ms. Warren graduated from Mississippi State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She holds Louisiana and Mississippi real estate licenses.
Danny L. Watts
About Danny
Danny L. Watts is a Senior Advisor with Stirling’s commercial real estate team, working from the company’s Baton Rouge, Louisiana, office. With more than 20 years of brokerage and advisory experience, Danny brings extensive knowledge of the commercial and industrial real estate markets.
He specializes in the sales and leasing of industrial, office, and special-use properties. His specific areas of focus include site selection, land brokerage—from small, single-tenant parcels to major developable sites, and property valuation.
One of Danny’s greatest strengths is helping his clients navigate the ever-changing landscape of commercial real estate and serves in an advisory role during transactions. He is fluent in the requisite studies, tests, reports, and coordination of the multiple third parties necessary to successfully steer a project through the final closing. He also has a thorough understanding of rezoning, land use, and entitlement issues.
Danny frequently serves as a consultant on large special-use commercial projects related to regulatory licensing, helping clients achieve required compliance issues and valuation. He was instrumental in the success of a 14-parish assignment across the State of Louisiana for a major landfill development project, and has worked with several additional developments, from solid waste disposal companies to operators of MSW to C&D landfills. He has also effectively advised clients on the changing highest and best use of troubled assets like the transition from special-use/restaurant assets to retail use.
Prior to joining Stirling, Danny served as a Senior Advisor with SVN | Graham, Langlois & Legendre commercial real estate firm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University (LSU).
Gantt Wilkinson
About Gantt
Gantt serves as an Advisor with Stirling’s commercial real estate team, working from the company’s Daphne, Alabama office. Gantt currently works with Jeff Barnes, CCIM, and Steadman Bethea. His duties with Stirling include general brokerage activities, leasing, and investment analysis.
Before joining Stirling, Gantt worked with Harless and Co. in the Tuscaloosa, AL area as an assistant property manager where he managed and leased multi-family properties.
He was born and raised in Fairhope, AL. Gantt graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Business Administration and Real Estate. He holds a commercial real estate license in Alabama.
Gantt lives in Fairhope, AL. He is a member of the National Association of Realtors and ICSC.
Jack Williams
About Jack
Jack Williams began working in the real estate industry in the 1980’s. His family opened Pensacola-based Seville Quarter in 1988, where he became and remained the General Manager, putting his real estate career on hold. Jack also ran a referral company called Southern Referral and was the broker of that company for several years. Wanting to get back into real estate, he joined Beck Partners in 2015. He is currently a Stirling Advisor and is licensed in Real Estate in both Florida and Alabama.
Jack obtained a Finance Degree from Florida State University, Class of 1980. While he is currently a member of the Pensacola Country Club and a chairman of the Military Affairs Committee of the Pensacola Chamber, Jack has served as the President of both the Pensacola Rotary Club and Pensacola Sports, as well as been active in other community events.
Business Affiliations
- Pensacola Chamber’s PACE Emerging Leader
- Pensacola Sports/Pensacola Chamber Volunteer of the year
- Leadership Pensacola alumnus of the year
- Paul Harris Fellow
- Lou Gregory award of PRA
- 1st Tee of Northwest Florida Board Member
Connor Johnston
Finance and Development Analyst
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About Connor
Connor Johnston was born and raised on Long Island, New York. After graduating from Chaminade High School in 2018, he went on to study at Tulane University. He graduated in 2022 with a major in Real Estate Development and a minor in Business.
During his time at Tulane, Connor honed his skills in the field of real estate development, gaining a deep understanding of the industry’s complexities and challenges. He also became proficient in using analytical tools like Excel and Argus Enterprise to perform underwriting and sensitivity analysis. In his role, he continues to leverage his expertise to evaluate investment opportunities, manage risk, and make data-driven decisions that drive the company’s success.
Ellen McCain
Human Resources Assistant
About Ellen
Ellen McCain began her journey with Stirling in 2002, initially as a part-time receptionist before transitioning to a full-time role encompassing filing/document coordination and office management. Over the years, she evolved into the role of Human Resources Assistant, bringing extensive experience and dedication to her work.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Ellen enjoys actively supporting her grandchildren’s sports activities. With 48 years of marriage, she values both her professional and personal commitments.
