By Joshua Burd
A former employee of The Azarian Group has returned to the company as its new director of leasing.
The commercial real estate firm, which is based in Midland Park, said Kevin Pelio begins in the new role effective Nov. 1. He brings 12 years of industry experience, including four with Azarian at the start of his career and eight with Simon Property Group.
“The Azarian Group has had a half-century track record of extraordinary and steady growth and success,” Pelio said. “I embrace the challenge and am excited to rejoin the company with an opportunity to work alongside the entire team at The Azarian Group, as we strategically enhance and evolve forward this dynamic and exciting portfolio for the next half-century.”
In the new role, Pelio will spearhead the implementation of leasing strategies to enhance merchandising mixes, the execution of rigid lease management practices, procuring, maintaining and growing tenant relationships and maximizing deal making opportunities, according to a news release. He first joined Azarian in 2009, marking the start of his leasing and property management career, before moving to Simon Property Group.
During his time with the retail giant, Pelio was responsible for executing inline and auxiliary leasing initiatives for what amounted to 18 million square feet of open-air outlet and regional shopping centers in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Midwest, according to a news release. He most recently was a senior acquisitions and real estate manager for Lidl US, identifying and sourcing store expansion opportunities for the German grocer.
Pelio is a graduate of the University of Miami’s Herbert Business School.
