By Joshua Burd
Duke Realty Corp. has named a new executive in the region, tapping one of its longest-tenured employees to help lead its efforts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The real estate investment trust announced Tuesday that it has promoted Art Makris to regional senior vice president of its Northeast operations. Based in Duke’s Jersey City office, the 23-year associate will be responsible for leasing and managing its existing industrial properties in the two states, along with identifying new development and construction opportunities.
What’s more, Makris will pursue and evaluate investments, focusing on land, building acquisitions and build-to-suit and multitenant development projects, according to a news release. The promotion follows a tenure in which he was instrumental in growing the company’s presence in Columbus, Ohio, where he developed more than 14.5 million square feet of logistics space, primarily at Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park and Park 70 at West Jefferson.
“Art has been one of our most successful leasing and development associates, working closely with many of today’s leading businesses to find the best logistics space for their operations whether it’s a build-to-suit or occupying space in one of our existing assets,” said Steve Schnur, Duke’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “He also has been creative in finding and securing the best land positions and working with local officials on zoning and incentives.
“Art’s expertise and track record make him the perfect person to lead our efforts in the Northeast region since both New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania are areas where we want to grow our industrial portfolio.”
Makris joined Duke in 1997 and worked in the Cleveland market before transferring to Columbus in 2005, the news release said. He was promoted to vice president in 2006 and named market leader of Columbus in 2014.
In 2018, he began overseeing the company’s operations in Cincinnati and Nashville.
