The following Newsroom Web pages provide great information and resources concerning CREW Pittsburgh.  Please submit any suggestions or comments via our new mailbox tool.

Note that we have removed our members only section of the Website for 2008.  We feel that it is more efficient to utilize the membership database at www.crewnetwork.org.  You will need to enter your username and password  at the bottom of the homepage to access features such as the online database.  If you have forgotten your password, click the link above the login and they will email it to you instantaneously. 

BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) principal subsidiary Branch Banking and Trust Company has recently completed its acquisition of commercial real estate finance company Collateral Real Estate Capital LLC of Birmingham, AL.  BB&T has combined Collateral with Laureate Capital LLC, its existing Charlotte, NC-based commercial mortgage banking firm, to give BB&T one of the largest full-service commercial and multifamily mortgage banking companies in the nation.  

The combined company – renamed as Grandbridge Real Estate Capital LLC – has a commercial real estate servicing portfolio of more than $20 billion. With more than 325 employees, Grandbridge operates 27 loan production offices, including an office here in Pittsburgh, where our President Elect, Megan Zillweger serves as an Assistant Vice President. (posted 1/2008)

Andrea Geraghty of Geraghty + Associates, Pittsburgh was named to the Kilbuck Township Landslide Task Force Advisory Committee by the Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission. (Posted 7/2007)

Sandra Closson, Hayes Large Architects, LLP, Pittsburgh Office is pleased to announce the addition of Sandra J. Closson, NCIDQ Certified Interior Designer, to its staff. In continuous practice for 80 years, the firm services corporate, civic/cultural, healthcare, higher educational and K-12 clients. It alsCVX67o has offices in Altoona, State College and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as well as Cleveland, Ohio and Lee, Virginia. Sandra may be reached at (412) 391-3086 or sjclosson@hayeslarge.com. (Posted 7/2006)

GSP Consulting, a fast-growing government affairs and economic architecture consulting firm is expanding it’s sales team to include veteran business sales and development professional Alyssa Pike.  The firm announced today that she will join as Sales Director, working directly with GSP Founder Joe Kuklis to grow the company in several of companies strategic growth states and markets.

Pike most recently served as Business Development Manager for Dick Corporation, a nationally-recognized construction management firm that ranks as one of the nation’s top 50 contractors.  She managed business development efforts out of the Pittsburgh office and worked to increase Dick Corporation’s presence in the federal government sector. 

With an aggressive growth plan in mind for 2007 that includes expanding existing practice areas and opening new offices, GSP placed a priority on hiring for the Sales Director position.  Pike officially started April 1 in the company’s Pittsburgh headquarters.

“For the past two years I have been the sales leader for the most part, and while I love that job, it became apparent that because of our rapid growth and expansion strategy we needed an experienced sales director in addition to myself and the sales support team of Thomas Beresnyak and Matt Edgar,” company founder Joe Kuklis said.  “Alyssa brings a very unique background that will be beneficial to so many of our clients.  Her years working in construction, development and commercial real estate fit so well with our practice areas – Development Services, Economic Architecture and Government Affairs.” 

 As GSP’s Sales Director, Pike will oversee and coordinate sales efforts and strategies across the firm’s offices and within the company’s three practice areas. 

In addition to her professional pursuits, Pike is active in industry associations and the non-profit community.  She is currently serving her third term as Membership Chair for the Society for Marketing Professional Services, Pittsburgh chapter; and is a member of the Society of American Military Engineers, Commercial Real Estate Women Pittsburgh and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Engineering Outreach (SPEO).

Founded in 2001, GSP now operates offices in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  With 26 employees and three practice areas, GSP works with clients in the technology, non-profit, municipal, and manufacturing sectors, among others.  More information about GSP can be found online at www.gspconsulting.com  (posted 4/2007)