Commercial and Multifamily People in the News, Sept. 18, 2025
(Annie Dean, courtesy of CBRE)
Annie Dean Joins CBRE
CBRE, Dallas, announced the hiring of Annie Dean to lead the newly formed CBRE x Industrious Building Experience Lab. She will also serve as global chief strategy officer for CBRE’s Building Operations and Experience business segment.
The aim of the new lab is to transform offices, logistics centers, storefronts and other commercial areas into better places to work.
Dean, deemed a “future-of-work” expert, has led workplace experience and flexible work efforts at various companies, most recently with teamwork-management software developer Atlassian. She began her career as a commercial real estate attorney at Wall Street law firms.
KBRA Makes Leadership Appointments
KBRA, New York, announced a number of leadership appointments.
Eric Thompson is now chief operating officer. He joined KBRA in 2011, shortly after its founding. He will oversee day-to-day operations, ensure operational discipline and drive strategic execution across business units.
William Cox is chief rating officer. He joined KBRA in 2017 and was appointed global head of corporate, financial and government ratings in 2019. In his new role he’ll oversee all rating practices.
Kate Kennedy is now chief corporate strategy officer. She joined KBRA in 2011 and has held several key leadership roles. She’ll lead KBRA’s long-term growth strategy in her new role.
PACE Loan Group Adds Personnel
PACE Loan Group, Minneapolis, has added Matt Mitchell in Dallas and Ron Adachi in San Francisco as originators.
The additions will help PACE Loan Group expand its U.S. presence.
Mitchell was previously with Hall Structured Finance. Adachi was previously with PACE Equity.
JLL Welcomes Michael Wada
JLL, Chicago, has added Michael Wada as an executive director within its Value and Risk Advisory group.
Wada will lead multi-housing efforts in California and will be a member of the multi-housing valuation group.
He has more than 14 years of commercial real estate experience. He most recently was a vice president, acquisitions at Davlyn Investments. He also has experience in the appraisal sector.
