Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Executive Managing Director, Geoffrey Kasselman, recently took office into the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors® (SIOR) Board of Directors as the 2017 SIOR Global President.
The induction took place during the SIOR Fall World Conference in New York City. Following the official swearing in ceremony, Kasselman led SIOR’s new Board of Directors in ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
In his volunteer role, Kasselman will lead the preeminent non-profit commercial real estate services organization in an array of strategic and global initiatives while acting as an ambassador and discussing the many benefits for becoming a SIOR.
SIOR was founded in 1941 by the US Government to help secure industrial facilities in support of the World War II effort. In this regard, SIOR has been serving the commercial real estate industry for 75 years.
“My success in brokerage is directly correlated to my 20-year association with SIOR, which includes the privilege to have met so many accomplished professionals while learning from our industry’s best minds. SIOR is by far one of the most progressive organizations in commercial real estate, period. It is an honor and I look forward to making positive contributions during my term as President,” Kasselman said.
Kasselman continues to lead NGKF’s North American Industrial practice. In this capacity, he guides the direction and expansion of the firm’s domestic industrial brokerage capabilities, including recruiting, services delivery, and branding.
He also supports various corporate clients, capital markets and data center projects, while promoting the benefits of sustainability, energy, technology and innovation for the sector. Kasselman represents space users and owners around the country, providing strategic directions and solutions such as unique value creation, deal restructuring, portfolio optimization and operational and energy efficiency.
Prior to joining NGKF in 2014, Kasselman served as the founder and CEO of Op2mize, a commercial real estate firm that bundled real estate services with best practices in energy efficiency and technology. He previously worked at Studley, founding its Industrial Services Group and helping to launch its Governmental Incentives consulting practice. Kasselman began his career at Insignia/FC&S, leaving as a senior executive after 10 years.
During a career spanning more than 29 years, he has completed more than 1,000 projects with an aggregate value of over $1 billion and has received numerous industry awards and distinctions from organizations such as the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Association of Realtors, Illinois Real Estate Journal, NAIOP, Realcomm and SIOR. Kasselman is also an accomplished author and nationally recognized public speaker on a range of topics at the intersection of corporate real estate and technology.
