February 2002 - 2001 Commercial Awards

Our thanks to Business First for co-sponsoring these awards and for the coverage provided in their January 18, 2002 issue.

2001 Commercial Awards

 

Erika Blumenstein Memorial Award
George “Sandy” Simpson
Ohio Equities LLC

  The Erika Blumenstein award is presented to a member based not only on their business experience but on their conduct, personal contributions and professionalism. George “Sandy” Simpson was honored with this award for the
many contributions he has made throughout his 37 years in real estate.

  Founded in 1971, he serves as President of Ohio Equities, a 150 employee firm which manages 9 million square feet of property and deals in all types of commercial and industrial real estate.

  Back in 1974, Sandy was one member of a small group of visionary Columbus area Realtors® who formed the Columbus Commercial Industrial Investment Realtors® (CCIIR). He was also very active in and served as the first President of the CCDC (Columbus Countywide Development Corporation).

  Sandy was President of CBR in 1986 and was named our Realtor® of the Year in 1993. In his words, “My greatest accomplishment was hiring Larry Metzger who's done more for this Board than anyone in recent years.”

  Sandy and his wife, Penny have three children. His son, Michael, joined him in the business in 1996. He enjoys golf and his Springer Spaniel, Rudy.

Largest C/I Transaction & Top Producer
Wayne Harer
Continental Realty, Ltd.

  After 18 years in commercial real estate, Wayne Harer, EVP of Continental Realty, took both the Top Producer and Largest transaction award.

   To become the Top C/I Producer, Harer completed 25 lease and sales transactions in 2001, for a total of $76.89 million in lease/sales volume and $65.42 million in net sales volume credit. He also won the Top Producer award in 1998 and 2000.

  His largest C/I Transaction occurred in April, when, as the sole agent, he put together a 10-year, $16.05 million lease for a property at 150 W. State St. in the arena district.

  Originally from suburban Chicago, Wayne came to Columbus 22 years ago to play baseball for the Columbus Clippers. After playing for three years, he decided to stay here. He and his wife, Paula, live in Upper Arlington with their three children: sons Kyle (15) and Ryan (13) and daughter, Kevyn (9).

  Wayne is a member of the Upper Arlington Rotary, President of the Athletic Club of Columbus and is involved with Champians for Children.

1031 Exchange
Hamish Williams
Grubb & Ellis/Adena Realty Advisors

  Hamish Williams, senior associate of the industrial services group for Grubb & Ellis/Adena Realty Advisors, a full service commercial real estate firm, received the ‘1031 Exchange' award for accomplishing the deal in reverse!

   The properties in question included a relinquished property at 4005 Fisher Road in Columbus, which closed on November 28, and the replacement property at 3700 Lacon Road in Hilliard, which closed on October 31.

  In a traditional 1031 exchange, a (relinquished) property is sold and the seller buys a similar (replacement) property deferring the taxes to avoid capital gains taxes.

  But this deal was a reverse 1031 exchange. In other words, the replacement property was purchased before the relinquished property was sold because contract extensions jeopardized the traditional exchange. In a reverse exchange, a qualified intermediary takes title to the replacement property and holds it until the relinquished property closes.

  Originally born in England, Hamish has lived here since 1980. An OSU graduate with a degree in International Studies, he is currently a candidate in the CCIM and SIOR programs. After hours, Hamish enjoys scuba diving, snow skiing and aikido (martial arts).

Most Unique C/I Transaction
Tony Yacoub
Ohio Commercial Real Estate

  Broker Tony Yacoub's received the ‘Most Unique C/I Transaction' award for an exchange transaction in which timing was critical. Things got complicated when the buyers of the relinquished property defaulted on the timing of the closing, causing Tony to have to hold the buyer of the acquired property, which was a difficult task.

  When the relinquished property was sold, the new investor was nearly $300,000 short of money and Tony had to come up with a creative way to raise the needed funds so he suggested the buyer sell some other properties she owned -- which had to be done within a week!

  Tony came up with the idea of getting an equity line of credit from the other properties the investor owned to come up with the money she needed. This worked and the deal closed.

  Tony has been in the real estate business as an investor since 1987. He became a licensed Realtor® in 1996 and a licensed broker in 2000. His company works with investors, helps businesses relocate, develops multifamily structures, and sells commercial property.

  Tony and his wife, Denise, have lived here in Westerville for 22 years. He is a member of OBBA and CREE. As a hobby, Tony enjoys collecting cars.

Rookie of the Year
Greg Weber
RJ Boll Realty Ltd.

   Greg Weber joined RJ Boll Realty Ltd. in May 2000. In 2001, Greg lifted a few eyebrows when he completed 45 deals for a volume credit of $4.23 million. In recognition for his excellence, he was named RJ Boll's 2001 Salesperson of the Year.

  Weber is involved in numerous civic activities, including coaching the Northwest Superstars Special Olympics basketball team and being president and co-founder of the North Columbus Networking Group, a business development organization.

  Prior to joining RJ Boll, Greg was a mortician - for which he gets a little good natured ribbing on occasion. Originally from West Unity, Ohio, Greg stayed here after graduating from OSU with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Human Resources. He and his wife, Angie, reside in Lewis Center. Greg is an avid golfer and enjoys hunting, especially duck and pheasant.