Van Martin Chairman, chief executive officer CBRE Lansing, Mich.
Real estate must run in the Martin family. Just look at the success of Van Martin, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Lansing, Mich., office of CBRE.
Martin in 1980 joined the real estate company first established by his father. Since that time, Martin has redefined the business as an exclusive provider of commercial real estate services, transforming the way in which local investors and occupiers approach real estate decisions.
In 1996, Martin expanded the company’s reach, joining CBRE as an affiliate. Two years later, he increased his firm’s already strong presence in Michigan by opening a second state office, this one in Grand Rapids.
Today, the two offices manage about 8 million square feet of commercial property, an inspiring figure. Also each year, the pair of offices completes an average of 600 commercial transactions.
Martin himself has built an enviable client list, one that includes some of the most important names in the Michigan business community.
Key clients include Auto Owners Insurance Company, Sparrow Hospital, Lansing Community College and the state of Michigan.
In addition to pursuing new business development, Martin also manages several corporate services accounts and leads the West Michigan Private Capital Group.
Not surprisingly, considering this success, Martin has earned several honors during his 30-year real estate career. In 2001, 2003 and 2007, Martin was named one of CBRE’s top-200 sales professionals. In 2003, he earned a sport in the CBRE Colbert Coldwell Circle. And in 2003 he was named Realtor of the Year by the Commercial Board of Realtors.
Like most successful commercial real estate pros, Martin hasn’t been shy about volunteering his time to help support his industry. He has served on the board of directors for the Commercial Board of Realtors, CAR, MiCAR and MAR. He has held various leadership positions with each organization during his long and successful career.
