SEATTLE, April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Colliers International announced today that it has taken another major step in the continued growth of its U.S. platform with the hiring of Mark Keschl as National Director of Retail.  

As head of the retail group, Keschl will lead new client pursuits, oversee the group's best practices and strategically recruit the industry's best and brightest to further enhance a dynamic retail services operation. He is based in Boca Raton, Fla.

"Mark has the ideal mixture of in-house and third-party success as a real estate executive serving the biggest national and international names in retail," said Dylan Taylor, chief executive officer for Colliers International in the U.S. "He has a sophisticated understanding of the nuances inherent to retailers, and is adept at implementing real estate plans that serve their core businesses. In addition, Mark has the personality and client-first mindset that meshes perfectly with the culture at Colliers International."

"With more than 300 retail professionals in the U.S. alone plus many more in key international markets in Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region, Colliers International is a best-in-class provider of a full spectrum of retail services," Keschl said. "Retailers nationwide are facing many challenges, and are increasingly in need of partners who understand their business. Those with sophisticated platforms that can deliver superior execution along a variety of service needs, such as Colliers International, will be the preferred choice. This is a global organization on the rise and I'm thrilled to be a part of it."

Previously a principal with Millennium Retail Partners, which provides consulting services to retailers and landlords in transaction, strategic planning and organizational practices, Keschl also served as a principal for Trammell Crow Co. with responsibility for retail in the Chicago area as well as contributions to the National Marketing team.

Prior to his career as a real estate service provider, he held in-house real estate positions as Senior Vice President, Real Estate for OfficeMax, Inc and Vice President, Real Estate for Toys"R"Us.

Keschl is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), a speaker at numerous industry events, and has participated as guest faculty at the ICSC University. He holds an MBA from the University of Detroit, with a concentration in Finance and Statistical Analysis, and a B.S. from Wayne State University in Detroit with a major in Finance and Business Economics.

About Colliers International

Colliers International is the third-largest commercial real estate services company in the world with 15,000 professionals operating out of more than 480 offices in 61 countries. A subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV; TSX: FSV and FSV.PR.U), it focuses on accelerating success for its clients by seamlessly providing a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide, including global corporate solutions, brokerage, property and asset management, hotel investment sales and consulting, valuation, consulting and appraisal services, mortgage banking and research. Commercial Property Executive and Multi-Housing News magazines ranked Colliers International as the top U.S. real estate company and the latest annual survey by the Lipsey Company ranked Colliers International as the second most recognized commercial real estate brand in the world. 

SOURCE Colliers International