Chicago, IL, June 6, 2019—A team of real estate professionals from The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) provided its expertise and recommendations to the leadership of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in West University Place, Texas, on how to best leverage its real property assets to meet the institution’s operational and long-term goals.
The CRE Consulting Corps is a public service initiative of The Counselors organization that typically serves clients in the nonprofit sector, including municipalities, educational institutions, religious organizations and government agencies. Team members provide professional assessment, objective analysis, and market-driven counsel to address specific real estate issues and maximize performance of all property types.
“The scope of the assignment was to develop a strategic plan for the highest and best use of St. Andrew’s real estate assets and recommend solutions to accommodate future growth of the congregation and student body,” said Steve Norris, CRE, MAI, the Counselors’ team leader. “The utilization study also provided guidelines for the development of a predictable cash flow from the real estate that will contribute to the church’s mission and its long-term financial stability.”
The project included a week-long site visit during which the team interviewed St. Andrews officials and local community sources, toured the property site, researched and analyzed data, and ultimately presented targeted recommendations.
“The CRE team were exceptional professionals offering the unbiased analysis we needed,” said Pastor Jeff Smith. “They questioned prevailing thinking on critical issues and provided a balanced and broad base of expertise. The connection the group made between St. Andrews’ core values and priorities and the real estate recommendations was most enlightening.”
Members of The Counselors of Real Estate volunteer their time and expertise for Consulting Corps assignments, providing access to the highest levels of expertise. The team for the St. Andrew’s project was selected for its objectivity and experience directly applicable to the church’s needs. In addition to Mr. Norris, principal of Norris Realty Advisors in Pasadena, CA, the team included Bob Dietrich, CRE, MAI, vice president of Kidder Mathews in Los Angeles; Brent Palmer, CRE, MAI, executive vice president of New Tower Trust Company in Chelan, WA; Jerry Turner, CRE, principal of T4 Investment Solutions LLC in Houston; and Ted Whitmer, CRE, MAI, of the Ted Whitmer Companies in College Station, TX.
####
About The Counselors of Real Estate
The Counselors of Real Estate® is an international organization of commercial property professionals from leading real estate, financial, law, valuation, and business advisory firms, as well as real property experts in academia and government. Membership is selective and extended by invitation, although commercial real estate practitioners with 10 years of proven experience may apply. A stringent selection process ensures individuals that are awarded the CRE credential have attained the highest levels of expertise and achievement in their real estate specialty, particularly in offering sophisticated advice and high-level problem solving. The organization is known for thought leadership, extraordinary reach, an uncompromising commitment to ethics, and the objective identification of the issues and trends most likely to impact real estate. Only 1,100 professionals hold the CRE credential worldwide.
Counselors have created and endowed the MIT Center for Real Estate, resolved the dispute between the developer of the World Trade Center and its insurers post 9/11, led the privatization of U.S. Army Housing, developed a multi-billion-dollar, 10-year master plan for Philadelphia Public Schools, and valued both the Grand Canyon and Yale University. Counselors reside in 20 countries and U. S. territories. For more information on The Counselors of Real Estate® and how to apply for membership, visit CRE.org.