Gordon Brothers Group Announces DJM Realty Leadership

BOSTON, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Gordon Brothers Group, a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the retail, consumer products, industrial and real estate sectors, announced today the appointment of Mr. Mark T. Dufton as Chief Executive Officer of DJM Realty, Gordon Brothers Group's real estate management affiliate, and simultaneously announced the appointment of Mr. Neill J. Kelly as President of DJM Realty.

Mr. Dufton, who has held the role of interim President of DJM Realty since December of last year, returns to the company where he spent nine years as Principal & Senior Managing Director. In that capacity, he managed over 35 DJM Realty clients and focused primarily on bankruptcy services, lease mitigation and restructuring programs. Mr. Dufton also played a crucial role in major projects such as the stock purchase of a New England supermarket chain; a joint venture with a national discount retailer to acquire a competitor; and numerous multimillion dollar financings secured by real estate and portfolio acquisitions in the restaurant industry. In his role as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dufton will leverage his broad industry expertise to further expand both DJM Realty's core businesses and its growing and expanding services.

Prior to his return to DJM Realty, Mr. Dufton co-founded Dinosaur Capital Partners, a Boston-based real estate investment and development company. His past experience includes serving as Vice President of Real Estate and then Chief Operating Officer for Jeepers!, where he was instrumental in their successful out-of-court restructuring, which involved a complete overhaul of all aspects of the business in addition to thirty lease restructurings and terminations. Prior to Jeepers!, Mr. Dufton served as the Senior Manager of Real Estate Acquisitions, Dispositions and Leasing at Bank of America (formerly BankBoston), where he completed more than 100 retail and office transactions. Mr. Dufton has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts.

Mr. Kelly is also returning to DJM Realty where he served as Managing Director from 1999–2003. In that capacity, Mr. Kelly was responsible for building many of the current advisory relationships that DJM Realty enjoys with numerous large national retailers. He was also instrumental in developing and managing a variety of complex projects, including strategic reviews and portfolio valuations for both fee-owned and leased properties; negotiations of sale, lease or leasehold mitigation assignments of all types of clients; and property marketing efforts across all industries. In his role as President, Mr. Kelly will provide leadership and guidance for all of DJM Realty's experienced real estate professionals, supporting the company's overall platform of facilitating clients' growth and repositioning by maximizing their real estate portfolios.

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Kelly was a principal at RK Realty Advisors, LLC, where he was the co-founder and manager of this boutique real estate advisory firm. His primary areas of focus included investment sales and acquisitions, project leasing and consulting projects within the shopping center industry. Mr. Kelly also served as Vice President of Acquisitions with Colin Development, LLC. where he was responsible for all acquisition activities for the private retail investment and development firm, including sourcing, underwriting and closing retail investments, property management and asset sales. Mr. Kelly has a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and an M.B.A. from New York University's Stern School of Business.

"DJM Realty has long established itself as a leader in real estate advisory and consulting services through the diversified experience of its professionals and under Mark and Neill's collaborative leadership, the company will provide even higher-quality services to clients nationwide," stated Gary Talarico, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gordon Brothers Group. "DJM Realty will continue to offer its clients their core business services, which include occupancy savings through lease restructuring, disposition of leased and owned properties, portfolio valuation and strategic review of real estate portfolios and debt and equity investments. We also look forward to the commitment to excellence, service and teamwork, principal investment experience and the passion for the business that Mark and Neil bring to DJM. Their invaluable industry knowledge, superior real estate expertise and impeccable reputations will enable the company to achieve continued growth and success."

Mr. Dufton and Mr. Kelly added the following joint statement, "We are excited about returning to DJM to work with our tremendously talented professionals to maintain DJM's industry leadership in the company's core competencies and to take this powerful platform of real estate expertise to a wider range of clients and transactions, including the use of the firm's capital to deliver certain outcomes whenever possible. The combination of DJM Realty and Gordon Brothers Group's broad platform of services and capital solutions has always represented a formidable force in assisting our clients as they take advantage of growth opportunities and adapt to the ever-changing economic environment."

About DJM Realty

DJM Realty, the real estate affiliate of Gordon Brothers Group, (www.djmrealty.com) specializes in negotiating occupancy costs, lease renewals, real estate dispositions, facilitating growth opportunities, valuations and capital solutions. DJM Realty has serviced the nation's most recognizable brands in healthy and distressed situations. Bankruptcy clients have included BI-LO, Blockbuster, Borders, Circuit City, Linens N Things, Movie Gallery, Gottschalks, Goody's Family Clothing, KB Toys, Kmart and Winn-Dixie. DJM Realty is a leader in finding innovative ways to consolidate and reconfigure real estate to achieve the highest possible value. DJM Realty was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in New York, with offices in Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago.

About Gordon Brothers Group
Founded in 1903, Gordon Brothers Group (www.gordonbrothers.com) is a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the retail, consumer products, industrial and real estate sectors. Gordon Brothers Group maximizes value for both healthy and distressed companies by purchasing or selling all categories of assets, appraising assets, providing debt and equity financing, and operating businesses for extended periods. Gordon Brothers Group conducts over $50 billion worth of transactions and appraisals annually.

SOURCE Gordon Brothers Group