CSM Corp. Announces Executive Hires for Commercial Properties and Capital Markets

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CSM Corporation today announced two executive hires that will help position the company for future growth as it looks to leverage the current portfolio and take advantage of the improving real estate market.

Andy Deckas has joined the organization as president of Commercial Properties and executive vice president of the Company. In his new role, he will help develop and execute a growth strategy for the commercial division, oversee the day-to-day operations and join the company's leadership team. Deckas has 25 years of industry experience and most recently was president of Opus/Founders Properties, where he was responsible for the acquisition and management of more than $3 billion in assets. Prior to Opus, Deckas was employed at Heitman, one of the nation's largest real estate advisors. Deckas is active in the commercial real estate community and serves in a leadership role for NAIOP and ULI.

Lori Larson joins CSM as senior managing director of Capital Markets. Larson brings more than 25 years of commercial real estate experience to the leadership team.

Larson will help the organization gain new access to capital markets and execute strategic acquisitions, dispositions and other investment activities.  Before joining CSM, Larson was president of Keystone Advisors, LLC, providing consulting services to owners and developers of commercial real estate in the areas of investment, finance, brokerage and asset management. Her tenure in commercial real estate also includes roles with the Investment Properties – Institutional Group of CBRE in Minneapolis, six years at Opus Corporation and ten years at Richard Ellis, Inc. Larson has been involved with more than $3 billion of capital market transactions. She is active in numerous professional associations and was elected the first female president of NAIOP-MN in 2001.

"I am delighted to have these proven executives join our CSM team," said Gary Holmes, president and CEO, CSM.  "I'm highly confident they will complement our existing leadership team, as well as the entire organization in positioning CSM for success and growth for years to come."

About CSM Corporation
Founded in 1976, CSM Corporation is the one source for real estate needs of people, businesses and communities. The company develops, owns and manages places where people work, visit and live through the acquisition, development, leasing, management and ownership of quality real estate assets.  CSM's expansive reach in the commercial retail, office & industrial, multi-family residential, and hotel properties across the United States includes over 100 properties for a combined 10 million square feet of commercial space, 38 hotels throughout the United States totaling over 5,400 rooms through the subsidiary, CSM Lodging, and over 3,000 apartments in nearly 20 complexes.  CSM Corporation is known for its business ethos of treating customers and associates with integrity and respect, and for their commitment to the future of the communities in which they live and work.  For more information on CSM Corporation or CSM Lodging, visit www.csmcorp.net or www.csmcorp.net/u/lodging/.

SOURCE CSM Corporation