Business Briefs 04.16.15

WINDERMERE —  Commercial real-estate investment services firm Marcus & Millichap named Justin West regional manager of its Orlando office.

“Justin has demonstrated his expertise in expanding our national market-making capabilities to clients in Orlando and Central Florida as sales manager of the Orlando office,” said President and CEO John J. Kerin. “In his new role as regional manager, Justin will provide leadership and support to our investment professionals and continue to expand the Orlando office.”

West has been a resident of West Orange County for more than three decades and currently resides in Windermere. 

“A key element of our continued growth and expansion is cultivating strong relationships with experienced commercial real-estate investment professionals in Orlando and throughout Central Florida,” West said.

He began his career with Marcus & Millichap in February 2010 as an agent in the Orlando office. He has been serving as sales manager of the Orlando office since October 2013. His product specialty was office- and industrial-investment properties, and in 2013, West received the Central Florida Chapter of NAIOP’s Investment Broker of the Year award.

Prior to joining Marcus & Millichap, he was managing partner at West Commercial Real Estate Advisors. He began his real-estate career with Duke Realty Corp. as a leasing and development representative for its Orlando office group.

West graduated from Rollins College in Orlando and is also a graduate of West Orange High School in Winter Garden. He and his wife, Angie, have three children: Caden, 7, Colin, 5, and Makinze, 2. 

+ Taylor Morrison names finance VP

ORLANDO — Taylor Morrison recently announced Rolando Gonzalez as its vice president of finance. In this role, he will oversee the company’s accounting, auditing and reporting processes.

Most recently, Gonzalez served as vice president of finance for the Central Florida division of AV Homes. He also has held several leadership positions in the industry, including director of strategic corporate planning and vice president of finance at TOUSA Homes.

“With nearly two decades of experience under his belt, there’s no doubt that Rolando will be an asset to our team,” said Maurice Johnson, division president for Taylor Morrison (North Florida Division). “We look forward to his insight as we continue to grow as an organization and offer quality service for our homebuyers.”

Gonzalez is a certified public accountant with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida International University.

DR. PHILLIPS — The RE/MAX Florida Region has recognized Reese Stewart with RE/MAX Properties SW Inc. in Dr. Phillips as the 2014 Manager of the Year for Single Office.

This honor confirms the impact Reese had on the people around him. 

“We truly appreciate his commitment and thank him for serving his clients and community as a member of the RE/MAX family.” said Hudson O. McMurtrie, broker/owner of RE/MAX Properties SW Inc.

+ Royal Oak opens new W.G. community

WINTER GARDEN — Royal Oak Homes is now selling at Black Lake Preserve, a new gated community located off Avalon Road south of State Road 50 in Winter Garden

Matt Orosz, co-president of Royal Oak Homes, said there are 91 home sites available at Black Lake Preserve. New single-family homes are priced from the mid-$300s.

Orosz said Royal Oak is premiering a new floor plan at Black Lake Preserve  — the William, which features more than 5,200 square feet of living area, with two master suites, priced from the low $400s. Royal Oak is also featuring a free pool to the first buyers in the community.

Royal Oak is offering three-, four-, five- and six-bedroom homes at Black Lake Preserve ranging from 3,000 square feet of living area to more than 5,000 square feet. New homes also come with technology called Nest, which can be integrated with smartphones or other devices to remotely control thermostats, appliances, cameras and more.

Royal Oak is selling its new homes in Black Lake Preserve from the Avalon Reserve sales center, less than a mile away off of Avalon Road.