Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The Real Estate Council names Michelle Corson as new president

By Pegasus News wire

Michelle Corson, new TREC president

The Real Estate Council (TREC) announced that Michelle Corson has been named new president. Corson brings 25 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, philanthropy, and community initiatives. Most recently, she served as president and founder of Kinsale Group, Inc., a real estate investment and development company based in Dallas with a focus on leisure-oriented projects, as well as consultation for private developers such as Toll Brothers, and municipalities including the cities of Dallas and Forth Worth. Prior experience includes co-managing the land development group for five REITs in Dallas and overseeing land acquisitions for Westbrook Partners’ master-planned community group, TerraBrook. Corson’s career began in the high-rise office building division of Trammell Crow Company in the mid-1980s.

"We are pleased to have found a leader with such a unique combination of strengths—strategic vision, operational expertise and a passion for policy. Michelle Corson will be a great president for TREC," said Michael Dardick of Granite Properties. Dardick and Todd Williams of Goldman Sachs led the search committee to find TREC’s new leader. Both are also former TREC chairmen.

The appointment follows the departure of Linda Owen, who filled the role for nine years and who will continue to serve as a resource for TREC’s impact initiative, Woodall Rodgers Deck Park. "We are convinced Michelle will continue the upward trajectory that Linda Owen and the existing TREC team have had us on over these past several years and are very excited to have her join our team," said TREC Chairman Tony Dona of Thackeray Partners.

Corson’s experience in philanthropy and public policy includes serving on the boards of directors of Metroport Meals on Wheels and Texas Student Housing Corporation. She has led the implementation of a public art initiative in Northeast Tarrant County and currently chairs the Public Art Society of Westlake. Corson created a nonprofit foundation to support the state’s only municipally owned charter school and is a champion of equitable funding for alternative educational settings. Other successes include leading a coalition to reduce government spending on a capital improvement project in Westlake and managing several mayoral and city council campaigns. Corson also serves her community of Vaquero as a board member.

"I was attracted to The Real Estate Council by its commitment to the community and the opportunity to work with many peers in the real estate industry for whom I have great respect," said Corson. "The staff and membership of The Real Estate Council have achieved a storied history of success in making an impact in North Texas and I’m looking forward to collaborating with them to leverage TREC’s resources for even greater influence."

Corson grew up in Dallas, earning her BS in business administration from the University of Texas at Dallas. She and her husband, Larry Corson, senior vice president of Hunt Realty, reside in Westlake with their two children, Rachel and Ben.

Founded in 1990, The Real Estate Council is comprised of 1,600 commercial real estate professionals representing more than 500 companies in the Dallas area and 10,000 employees. Through The Real Estate Council Foundation, grants and professional assistance are provided to local organizations focused on community revitalization and affordable housing. With a grant of $1.5 million, TREC is currently spearheading efforts to build a deck park over Woodall Rodgers Freeway. TREC Foundation has also been instrumental in creating the Urban Land Bank, providing $250,000 in funding and $6.3 million in pro bono legal and title services.

Source: TREC

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