The Leader - September/October 2008 - (Page 102) emerGING leaDer by megan mccann erica crossland adidas Group’s erica crossland BuIlDING a career throuGh experIeNce, coNNectIoNs aND eDucatIoN Editor’s note: Erica Crossland, Director of Corporate Real Estate, Region Americas for adidas Group, recently shared her thoughts with LEADER on her career and the corporate real estate industry. leaDer: Tell us a little about your career path thus far. crosslaND: I started my career in Real Estate when I was pursuing my undergraduate studies as a means to pay for my education. I began working in the New Homes Division for Coldwell Banker, marketing new construction to prospective homeowners. I had the opportunity to interface with developers, architects, and local government over the course of my employment. After relocating to continue my education, I became interested in Real Estate investment and the details that went into an investment decision. Aside from reading a significant amount of literature on the subject, I began to put together data to determine where to buy my first investment property. It was the compilation of this data that helped me to understand the significance of information as it relates to a location decision. I have continued making and managing residential investments over the past eight years. Concurrently, I began working with Cornerstone America, an organization that facilitates access and acquisition of benefits and resources for small businesses and self-employed individuals. In addition to managing multiple accounts and developing new business, I was afforded the opportunity to train new hires and garnered some leadership experience early in my career. After completing my undergraduate studies I began working with CresaPartners in a dual role as a National Account Manager and Site Selection Specialist. I was primarily responsible for the account management of the Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. National Account, providing consulting and tenant representation services for their field offices. I was also involved in a number of other national tenant representation transactions for a variety of corporate accounts which included site searches, dispositions, and financial analyses. As a Site Selection Specialist I provided consulting, research, demographic analysis and account management as part of the Work Force Planning and Location Strategy Team. During my tenure with CresaPartners I pursued and completed my law school education, focusing my additional course work on subjects related to Real Estate and International Law. The education was an excellent foundation for an understanding of basic legal concepts, and both tactical and strategic contract review and negotiation. Earlier this year, I accepted a position in my current role with adidas Group as the Director of Corporate Real Estate for Region Americas. In this position, I am responsible for the management of projects in North, South, and Central America as well as additionally contributing to the development of real estate and facilities strategy, standards and processes. I am working in close cooperation with the regional and local adidas Group business managers to develop a strategic Real Estate portfolio plan for the region and implement best practices for facility management. With the assistance of our service providers, the Global Corporate Real Estate team is developing key performance indicators for the portfolio; specifically, occupancy and financial metrics at a property level and portfolio level in order to identify opportunities to improve the Group’s real estate position in the region. leaDer: What were some of the most significant decisions or events that got you where you are today? 2 0 0 8 th e le aDe r 102 septemBer / octoBer
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