National Association of Realtors (NAR) Names Stirling Properties’ Beth Cristina as Commercial Committee Vice Chair
Stirling Properties’ Senior Broker Associate, Beth Cristina, ALC, has been selected as the 2017 Commercial Committee Vice Chair for the National Association of Realtors (NAR). She will assume the position on January 1st, 2017.
Each year, the incoming NAR president-elect appoints vice chairs to help lead and guide the 1.2 million-member association. Their role is to navigate issues that matter to realtors and home owners, such as economic forces, demographic shifts, and technological innovations that are reshaping the $3.3 trillion residential and commercial real estate industry.
“I am confident and qualified, and bring the right credentials to the job. Having served on NAR commercial committees since 2004, I’m comfortable in the trenches,” said Cristina. “I believe the work of the volunteer leadership team is crucial to the future of our industry. Commercial real estate is consistently changing, and I’m looking forward to leading a committee that will help our members and clients to be successful.”
Ms. Cristina has over thirty-six years of successful experience in commercial real estate sales, leasing, development and investments. Her qualifications include retail and office market analysis, tenant/landlord and purchaser/seller representation, marketing sales, leasing strategies, and consulting services. She has earned numerous awards and recognition throughout her career, including Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Real Estate (2011), Realtor of the Year (2010), and Woman of the Year (2005).
She is affiliated with several business and professional organizations, including Realtor Land Institute (RLI); Louisiana Realtors (LR), where she served as 2015 President; New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors (NOMAR), where she served as 2005 President; and Commercial Investment Division (CID) of NOMAR, where she served as President for 2000 and 2008.
The National Association of Realtors is America’s largest trade association, representing over 1.2 million members, including NAR’s institutes, societies, and councils, involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. Membership is composed of residential and commercial realtors who are brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors, and others engaged in the real estate industry.
Beth Cristina can be reached at (504) 620-8127 or bcristina@stirlingprop.com.
Stirling Properties Names Bradley Cook as Sales and Leasing Executive
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is pleased to announce Bradley Cook as Sales and Leasing Executive for its Commercial Brokerage Division. He will work from the company’s Covington office located at 109 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300.
Bradley Cook joined Stirling Properties in 2016 as a Sales and Leasing Executive in the Commercial Brokerage Division. He has extensive experience in the commercial real estate industry, with a focus on industrial and investment properties, urban core redevelopment, as well as land development.
Previously, Bradley worked as an Associate Advisor for AREA Real Estate Advisors where he garnered knowledge and skills in sales, acquisitions, development, tenant and landlord representation, and buyer and seller representation. In this role, he created urban core redevelopment opportunities, and led the charge to promote an 8-million-square-foot ground-up industrial development in Parkville, Missouri.
Prior to his commercial real estate career, he was the Fitness Director for Franco’s Athletic Club, the Program Development Director for Spectrum Health and Fitness, as well as Cardiology Account Executive for GE Healthcare, covering more than 200 accounts across the Southeast. Cook was pivotal in the growth and expansion of Franco’s Athletic Club through their locations on Magazine St. and the new CrossFit Franco’s, which holds Louisiana’s first Reebok CrossFit retail location.
Born in New Orleans and a resident of the Northshore, Bradley earned his Bachelor’s degree and Master of Science degree from Louisiana Tech University. He holds multiple health and fitness certificates in the Exercise Sciences, as well as a lay counselor certificate that enables him to work with men and women in the areas of self-identity and relationships. He is a strong local advocate for the special needs community on the Northshore having started the iCAN Fitness Program at Franco’s Athletic Club and serving on the Board for The Zac Slay Experience.
Cook holds a commercial real estate license in Missouri, Kansas and Louisiana and is a CCIM Candidate.
Bradley Cook can be reached at (225) 505-6009 or bcook@stirlingprop.com.
Amazon Leads the Way in E-fairness!
Alabama becomes 29th state to collect sales taxes from online giant
For decades, brick-and-mortar stores have been fighting for a level playing field with their on-line rivals who are not required to charge sales tax. To enact a little e-fairness, the state of Alabama passed the Alabama Simplified Use Tax Remittance Program, which allows online retailers that do not have operations within the state to collect, report and distribute an 8% sales tax. The on-line tax rate is still lower than its brick-and-mortar rivals who are generally closer to 10%. Since the program’s inception in October 2015, the state has received nearly $3 million in its general fund from 52 on-line retailers.
It was recently announced that Amazon, the largest e-commerce company in the world, has enrolled in Alabama’s state program and will begin distributing funds to the Alabama Department of Revenue monthly. Beginning on November 1st, Alabama will become the 29th state to collect sales taxes from Amazon.
Alabama’s Commissioner of Revenue, Julie Magee, is confident more on-line companies will sign up and expects to see a $40 to $50 million influx of tax funds by 2017 with “substantial” increases by 2018 and beyond. She further noted that 75% of the revenue goes to the state’s general fund, with the remaining balance to be split between cities and counties across the state.
As Alabama’s Government Relations Chair for the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), I am thrilled to hear that Amazon will be participating in Alabama’s tax remittance program and like Ms. Magee, I too believe other on-line retailers will follow their lead. According to recent studies, it is estimated that Alabama is losing upwards of $500 million per year in uncollected sales tax from remote sales.
The shopping center industry is essential to state and local economic development – as a significant job creator, driver of GDP and critical revenue source for the communities they serve through the collection of sales taxes and the payment of property taxes.
In Alabama there are nearly 113.5 million square feet of shopping center space across 1,718 properties that directly employs over 200,000 people or 9.5% of the total state employment. These centers account for close to $32 billion in annual sales and add approximately $1.3 billion in state sales tax revenue.
An annual sales tax revenue of $1.3 billion for brick-and-mortar retail versus $40 to $50 million for on-line retail tells me we have a ways to go to level the playing field, but this is a great start. I commend Amazon for leading the effort!
Stirling Properties and CBL and Associates Properties, Inc. Install Public Walking Trail at Ambassador Town Center in Lafayette
Ambassador Town Center developers, Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., are pleased to announce the installation of a public walking/jogging trail for the surrounding community.
The new outdoor path borders the 12-acre retention pond located behind Costco Wholesale, which was dedicated to the City of Lafayette as a public greenspace. Roughly ¾ mile, the trail was installed as a municipal amenity along the top of the pond, and was landscaped similar to how river levees are used throughout the state. New fountains were also added to enhance the outdoor space. Additionally, the new trail can be combined with adjacent Beaullieu Park via sidewalk along the recently constructed Lake Farm Drive, offering an interconnected exercise and leisure opportunity. The walking/jogging path is free and open for public use.
“Stirling Properties is committed to the Lafayette community. Our hope is that Ambassador Town Center will become more than just a retail center, we want it to be a true community center,” said Townsend Underhill, Stirling Properties Senior Vice President of Development. “The addition of the walking trail will not only enhance the aesthetics of the area, but will provide local residents and shoppers with a great place to exercise and get some fresh air.”
Ambassador Town Center is a roughly 60-acre retail project anchored by Costco Wholesale and Dick’s Sporting Goods/Field & Stream, consisting of more than 430,000 square feet. Located at the southeast corner of Lafayette’s ‘main-at-main’ intersection, Ambassador Caffery Parkway & Kaliste Saloom Road, the development also includes Avalon Salon & Spa, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Blaze Pizza, Chuy’s Mexican Restaurant, Costco Gasoline, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Five Below, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Half Shell Oyster House, Just 4 Him Men’s Haircut Lounge, Marshalls/HomeGoods, Nordstrom Rack, Off Broadway Shoes, Panda Express, Panera Bread, PetSmart, Phone Zone, Professor Bob Beans Coffee Bar & Ice Cream Lab, Red Robin, Subway, Tao Asian Cuisine, World of Beer, Verizon, and more supporting shops and restaurants to come. Most of the retailers committed to Ambassador Town Center are either first-time locations within Lafayette or Louisiana, or both. At completion, Ambassador Town Center is expected to be the premier regional shopping and entertainment destination, as well as a vital economic contributor to the area.
For more information, please visit stirlingproperties.com or cblproperties.com.
For leasing information, contact Ryan Pecot at 337.572.0246 or rpecot@stirlingprop.com or Tim Gilmore at 423.490.8358 or Tim.Gilmore@cblproperties.com. For information on Ambassador Town Center, please visit ambassadortowncenter.com.
#LouisianaStrong
This is a challenging time for South Louisiana. Many of our family and friends have experienced unprecedented devastation and loss resulting from disastrous flooding in the area. At least 40,000 homes have been damaged and thirteen people lost their lives.
The historic flooding resulted from record ‘1,000-year’ rainfalls produced from an unusual series of slow-moving thunderstorms that dumped tremendous amounts of water on an isolated area in excess of 30 inches in 48 hours. It was more than rivers and drainage systems could possibly hold.
Though the devastation was severe, we are thankful that the vast majority of South Louisiana is safe. In large part, those of us that have previously flooded were spared, and areas that have never seen flooding before were inundated.
While some are still struggling, conditions are improving. Louisianans are resilient—as we’ve seen time and time again—and efforts are already shifting to recovery and progress. People are returning home, businesses are reopening. Cities and communities that were not directly impacted have the opportunity to pay it forward with relief efforts to assist our neighboring residents in need.
Stirling Properties is directing our energy and resources to our employees and surrounding communities that were affected by the flooding. We’re collecting and distributing emergency assistance supplies and basic needs items for victims, and our team members are volunteering with clean-up and recovery efforts. We’re partnering with many local organizations and have made financial contributions to several nonprofits to assist with relief efforts, as well as providing emergency housing.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people, businesses and communities affected by this horrific event. Stirling Properties is committed to South Louisiana and the surrounding areas, and we will be here to help in the recovery efforts, both short- and long-term.
Thank you to everyone that has reached out to us and offered your support and assistance. We are truly grateful for your generosity.
Stirling Properties Takes the Gold During 2016 Stirling Olympics
Stirling Properties has its own version of the premier sporting event! Employees and agents recently celebrated the 4th Annual Stirling Olympics, an event hosted by the Stirling Stewardship Committee to raise money for charitable causes. The event was a HUGE SUCCESS, raising $57,000 for local nonprofit organizations!
Funds raised benefited The ALD Foundation, which strives to raise awareness and supports the research of Adrenoleukodystroply, a genetically determined neurological disorder that affects young boys between the ages of four and ten, as well as The Miracle League of Greater New Orleans, which works with mentally and physically handicapped children so they can participate in everyday sports. Representatives from each organization were on hand to accept a check for $28,000 each.
With funds from Stirling Olympics, The Miracle League is now one step closer to constructing a new field for its Northshore division, where children will have access to a safe playing environment!
Here are a couple of comments from the recipients:
“Special thank you to Stirling Properties for selecting us as a beneficiary of their Olympics this year. Their contribution to the construction of the new field pushed us over the halfway mark to being fully funded!” -Representative, Miracle League
“Stirling welcomed the Adrenoleukodystrophy Foundation and honored us with extreme generosity. The best I can offer to each employee who outdid themselves is thank you. Going forward, the commitment I have already made is to give in a manner that elicits a similar response. Leading with love and care is the best possible path any of us may traverse. Thank you Stirling.” -David Cry, Founder of The ALD Foundation
Throughout the day, teams battled one another in 10 quirky competitions – Basketball with a Football, Musical Chairs, Separation Anxiety with M&Ms, Junk in the Trunk with Kleenx boxes and ping pong balls, Tick-Tac-Toe, Flashdance Pedometer Race, Hula Hoop Chain, Plinko, Heads Up and Team Relay. Scores were tallied and individual medals were given for each event.
Teams were also awarded medals for top overall, top fundraising, most team spirit, most creative, and best sportsmanship. Events were judged by Chris Roig (Netchex), Caitlin Scanlan (VOA of Greater NO), Christi Zito, Steve Zito (Zito Russell Architects), and Steve Serio (Fishman Haygood law firm).
The Gold Medal overall went to The Walking Dead! Congratulations to Carrie Creel (Team Captain), Beezie Landry, Cyndie Quave, Dominick Constanza, Jill Meeks, Paul Blackwell, Paul Mastio, Rachel Jerkins, Samantha Marshall and Elaine Fullerton.
The Silver Medal was awarded to Wonka’s Wild Things – Chris Abadie (Team Captain), Gaines Seaman, Heather McGowin, Hilary Creamer, Justin Toomey, Carly Plotkin, Rachel Fonseca, Shelley Collins, Jeff Barnes and Saban Sellers.
The Reasonably Eccentric Degenerates took home the Bronze Medal – Marty Mayer (Team Captain), Donna Allsup, Griffin Lennox, Jaime Burchfield, Jeanne Taravella, Johnny Tolson, Mark Salvetti, Peggy Foots, Sabrina Narcisse-Lewis and Robin Day.
At the end of the day, in an effort to raise even more money, the owners participated in a surprising and crazy lip-syncing contest, resulting in an additional $8,500 for the Stewardship Committee. This additional money will be used by the Stewardship Committee to donate to additional nonprofits throughout the year.
A heartfelt thanks to our supporting sponsors, including Richard Price Contracting Company, Brasfield & Gorrie, Fishman Haygood Phelps Walmsley Willis and Swanson, First NBC, Vinson Guard Service, Walker & Dunlop, Adam Ifshin, Arkel Constructors, Associated Building Services, Bellingrath Wealth Management, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, BH Management Services, CBRE, Duplantis Design Group, Fidelity Bank, Gladstone Jones, IBERIABANK, Jake Netterville, Jones Walker, Kean Miller, Kent Design, Longnecker & Associates, Precision Waste Solutions, Regal Construction, Rotolo Consultants, Rozas Ward Architects, Whitney Bank, Zito Russell Architects. Thank you to our in-kind sponsors Whole Foods Market and Panera Bread.
And a big shout-out to the Stirling Stewardship Committee for all their hard work organizing the event and making it happen! You all deserve a round of applause!!
#StirlingProud
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