Jim Rock joins Avison Young in Minneapolis

Highly regarded capital markets specialist becomes Principal

MINNEAPOLIS, April 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Mark Evenson, Avison Young Principal and Managing Director of the company's Minneapolis office, announced today that highly regarded capital markets specialist Jim Rock has joined the firm in Minneapolis.

Effective immediately, Rock becomes a Principal of Avison Young and will continue to work as a capital markets broker representing clients primarily in the acquisition, disposition and strategic planning of commercial real estate assets.

"We are excited to have Jim bring his distinctive set of skills and expertise to our firm," comments Evenson. "Well versed in the areas of retail development, leasing and property management, with a core focus in investment sales, Jim has carved out a very successful career in providing keen intellectual solutions to difficult real estate situations. Those experiences, coupled with his involvement in the retail property sector, will bring additional depth to our office in Minneapolis. We anticipate that he will be a leader in helping us grow our retail practice along with other capital-focused opportunities."

Rock brings 18 years of commercial real estate experience to Avison Young, most recently as Executive Director of Cushman & Wakefield Northmarq in Minneapolis. Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield Northmarq in 2007, he spent four years as a senior associate at Colliers Turley Martin Tucker after founding and operating his own commercial real estate company. Before entering the commercial real estate industry, he owned and operated several franchises and independent small businesses.

Throughout his real estate career, Rock has represented a wide array of retail clients in sale and lease transactions. His notable deals include the sale of 20 Tom Thumb stores, numerous retail strip centers, Alderwood Group's 24-building portfolio, the $1-billion automotive dealership portfolio owned by Chrysler Financial and Cerberus Capital Management, several redevelopment properties, and multiple nursing homes. In 2006, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal bestowed Rock with a Top Retail Broker award.

"I'm excited to join Avison Young, as the firm's collaborate approach and culture match my values and business practice," says Rock. "Moreover, I strongly believe that Avison Young's Principal-led, client-centered service platform will be successful – and a clear market differentiator – in Minnesota over the long term."

"I recognized that the opportunity to join Avison Young and become a Principal of the firm would be an important step in my career. I welcome the chance to grow the company's retail capital markets service offerings throughout the state, the Midwest and the rest of the U.S. And, I'm looking forward to drawing from the vast expertise of my new colleagues in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe as we continue to serve new and existing clients," he adds.

Rock is an active member of several industry organizations, including the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Minnesota Shopping Center Association (MSCA), and Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors (MNCAR). He also holds the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation, as conferred by the CCIM Institute, and is a member of the CCIM Minnesota-Dakotas chapter. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and economics from Bethel University in Arden Hills, MN.

Avison Young opened its Minneapolis office in March 2015. In the last six months alone, the company has added a number of new brokers and staff members, including: Bruce Bahneman, Senior Vice-President; Jack Storry, Associate; Tom Dunsmore, Senior Vice-President; Tong Kang, Associate; Ben Cookson, Associate; Michel Cartier, Associate; Chas Simcox, Vice-President, and Andi Simon, Vice-President of Project Management.

Over the past seven years, Avison Young has grown from 11 to 77 offices and from 300 to more than 2,200 real estate professionals in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Europe.

Avison Young is the world's fastest growing commercial real estate services firm. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Avison Young is a collaborative, global firm owned and operated by its Principals. Founded in 1978, the company comprises 2,200 real estate professionals in 77 offices, providing value-added, client-centric investment sales, advisory, management, financing and mortgage placement services to owners and occupiers of office, retail, industrial and multi-family properties.

• Editors/Reporters
Please click on link to view and download photo of Jim Rock: http://www.avisonyoung.com/sites/default/files/content-files/Media_Room/Temp/Jim_Rock.jpg

For further information/comment/photos:

• Sherry Quan, Principal, Global Director of Communications & Media Relations, Avison Young: 604.647.5098; cell: 604.726.0959
• Mark Evenson, Principal and Managing Director, Minneapolis, Avison Young: 612.889.5885
• Jim Rock, Principal, Avison Young: 612.913.5654
• Mark Rose, Chair and CEO, Avison Young: 416.673.4028
• Earl Webb, President, U.S. Operations, Avison Young: 312.957.7610

www.avisonyoung.com

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SOURCE Avison Young Commercial Real Estate (BC)

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