Company Experience

Ben Becker joined KLNB Retail in November of 2006 after nearly two years with Madison Retail Group. Before joining Madison, Ben worked with IK Retail Enterprises, focusing on real estate matters for Italian retailers United Colors of Benetton, Sisley, Andrew’s Ties and Max Mara.  As a broker, Ben represents both landlords and tenants. His tenant clients include California Tortilla, The Little Gym, Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins, Domino’s Pizza, The UPS Store, and Birkenstock.  Mr. Becker currently works in a team format with Cary Judd, Matthew Locraft, Dallon Cheney, Melissa Welch, Craig Cheney, Darcy Niles and Julie Cyphers.

Significan Assignments

Mr. Becker and the Northern Virginia team exclusively represent the following retailers with their store expansion in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan market: Harris Teeter, Home Depot, The Little Gym, California Tortilla, Havertys Furniture, Thomasville Furniture, Applebee’s, McDonald’s, Regency Furniture Showrooms, Cingular Wireless, Domino’s Pizza and The UPS Store. In the past, Mr. Becker and partners have also represented HomePlace, Party City, The Leather Collection, ConocoPhillips, Bertucci’s, Lifetime Fitness, Eckerd Drug Company, Pep Boys, Coca-Cola, Sears d/b/a National Tire & Battery, Pittsburgh Paints, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Calico Corners, Chevy’s Mexican Restaurant and Wrap Works.

Mr. Becker’s retail brokerage team has exclusively represented the following ownership entities with shopping center sale and leasing assignments: Edens & Avant, Brambleton Town Center Associates, Zimmer Development Company, Regency Centers, Clark Real Estate Advisors, The Long Companies, Raley Miller Properties, Crimson Partners, CRC Commercial, Comstock Retail Partners, Ramco-Gershenson Properties, Atlantic Realty Companies, The Buchanan Companies, Nellis Corporation, Kodiak Properties, MetLife, Tower Records, Reliance Insurance Company, The L&B Realty Group, Kmart, Eastman Kodak Company, New America Real Estate Holding, Aoki, MCI WorldCom/UUNet, Bessomac Associates and Camden.

Education

Mr. Becker holds a M.B.A. from The Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University with concentrations in Real Estate and Corporate Strategy, as well as a B.S. in Political Science from The University of Rochester.

Affiliations

Mr. Becker holds an active membership in the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the leading trade association for retailers, developers, owners and brokers of retail properties in the United States. He is also a licensed real estate salesperson in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Steve Combs joined KLNB Retail in November of 2006 after leaving his previous position as Managing Director with Newmark Knight Frank. As a specialist in retail real estate, he provides his clients with real estate related professional and technical support.  His responsibilities include servicing clients in every phase of a lease or sale transaction including:  facility acquisition, financial analyses, market research, lease negotiations and sublease representation.  Recent clients include Trizec Properties, Plank Investments, Robert Wolpe Enterprises, Ratner Companies, Grid Properties, Lebanese Taverna Restaurant, Results the Gym, Under Armour, Logan Hardware, Boston Market and Modell’s.

Prior to joining Newmark Knight Frank, Mr. Combs owned and operated a Pet Supply Store and an Aquarium Installation and Maintenance business in Boston, Massachusetts.  During his years spent as a successful retail business operator, Mr. Combs developed a unique understanding of his client’s needs.

Education

Mr. Combs earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland.

Affiliations

ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) – Member
DCBIA (District of Columbia Building Industry Association) – Member
The Greater Washington Board of Trade – Member
DCMAP (Dupont Circle Merchants and Professionals) – Member
GWCAR (Greater Washington Commercial Association of Realtors) – Member
RAMW (Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington) - Member

Karen joined KLNB in October 2007 as a retail leasing specialist focusing on landlord and tenant representation. She has 10 years experience in commercial retail real estate and was previously employed by Vornado/Charles E. Smith and Blockbuster, Inc. Karen has recently completed transactions with Chevy Chase Bank, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Cosi, Noodles, and JW Tumbles. Karen received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Florida State University and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and Women in Retail Real Estate (WIRRE).

Jordan joined KLNB in an effort to start up the new Washington DC office. Jordan’s focus is on the leasing and sale of retail related properties in the Greater Washington D.C. area. Prior to joining KLNB Jordan worked for a boutique firm in New York City focusing on leasing, and sales of both investment and high end residential property. Jordan holds a Bachelor. of Arts from the University of Maryland at College Park and is an active member of the ICSC.

Selected Career Highlights

• Over 20 deals with Food Lion
• Over 80 deals with GNC
• 8 ground-up shopping center developments
• Sold over 500 acres

Selected Corporate Clients Served

• BP Amoco
• Blockbuster Video
• Carlson Restaurants Worldwide (TGI Fridays)
• All First Bank
• General Nutrition Corporation
• Sun Life of Canada
• CVS
• Eckerd
• Wal-Mart
• Krispy Kreme Donut Corporation
• Merchants Tire and Auto
• Maisel Hollins Development Company
• KSI Inc.
• JBG Rosenfeld

Education

Bachelors Degree, University of Baltimore
Masters Degree in Real Estate, Johns Hopkins University.

Matt joined KLNB’s Vienna office in 2005 as a retail leasing and sales specialist. Matt spent the past 4 years in Denver, Colorado as a Partner of Crosbie Real Estate Group where he specialized in retail tenant representation. He has exclusively represented retailers such as Wal-Mart, Sams Club, Blockbuster, Wendy’s, Midwest Bank, Kentucky Fried Chicken, American National Insurance Company and Brakes Plus, among others. At KLNB Matt will be concentrating on new retail center development projects and tenant representation. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics from the University of Wisconsin.

Multiple Major Tenant Development Transactions

• 12 Wal-Mart Stores throughout Colorado and Wyoming
• 2 Sam's Club Stores
• 10 Wendy's Stores
• 15 Peaberry Coffee Stores (second in the market to Starbucks)

Multiple Major Tenant Development Transactions

• Pioneer Hills, Aurora, CO – 572,262 SF shopping center anchored by Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, Office Depot and Petsmart
• Mulberry and Lemay Crossing, Fort Collins, CO – 344,782 SF Shopping Center anchored by Wal-Mart and Home Depot.
• FlatAcres Market, Parker, CO – 342,368 SF shopping center anchored by Kohl's, Lane Bryant, Gart Sports and Bed Bath & Beyond
• Parker Pavilions, Parker, CO – 353,367 SF shopping center anchored by Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Office Depot and Petsmart
  
  

Career Highlights

Bo Valdes joined KLNB's Northern Virginia office as a retail leasing specialist in 2006. His primary focus is on the Greater Washington D.C., Baltimore and Delaware areas. Bo's specialties include new shopping center development, lease disposition, land sales, investment sales, and tenant representation. Before joining KLNB, he served as a research analyst at Grubb & Ellis Company, monitoring commercial office and retail trends throughout Washington D.C., Suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Bo holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Florida and is an active member of the ICSC.