CREW network launches four new chapters; The Real Estate Exchange launches new website

Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network recently launched four new chapters, in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada); Omaha, Neb.; Charleston, S.C.; and upstate S.C. The announcements bring the number of CREW Network chapters to 71 across North America with more than 8,000 members. "We believe this growth in our association reflects the need for professional networking at all levels, particularly during a recessionary economy," said Gail Ayers, CEO of CREW Network. "Our members have an instant network of more than 8,000 colleagues, business referral sources, mentors and friends in the industry whom they can call upon for leads, mentoring and career opportunities." For the Edmonton CREW chapter, the president is Carla Voss, a commercial broker with Colliers International. The vice president is Izabela Kotula, senior manager at Canadian Western Bank, and the secretary is Stacey Denham Gibson, an attorney with Kennedy Agrios. For the CREW Omaha Metro chapter, the president is Jacqueline Pueppke, partner with Baird Holm LLP; the president-elect is Leslie Peterson, client development manager at Lamp Rynearson; and the vice president is Angie Ullman, marketing and client development manager at Terracon. For CREW Charleston, the president is Anita King, owner and lead architect at Ink Architecture; the president elect/vice president is Anne Lawless, director of asset management at The Noisette Co.; and the membership chair/CREW Network delegate is Margaret Brockinton, president of Carolina Retail Property Inc. And for CREW Upstate, S.C., the assistant vice president is Maurie Lawrence, attorney with Wyche Burgess Freeman & Parham PA; the president-elect is Debbie McDonough, CPA, with Elliot Davis, LLC; and the treasurer is Anna O'Brien, CCIM with Cogdell Spencer ERDMAN. CREW CT - The Real Estate Exchange Similar to the expansion of the CREW Network as a whole, CREW CT - The Real Estate Exchange (the Connecticut Chapter) has been making extraordinary advances in its networking venues. This includes the launch of a newly designed website, which is the result of months of research and development by one of The Real Estate Exchange's dedicated members, Carolyn Bligh with Bligh Graphics and other committed members. The newly designed website (www.realestateexchange.org or www.crewct.org) provides a user-friendly approach to maneuvering through the Connecticut chapter's events, photographs, the on-line membership directory, our bi-annual newsletter and other useful tools. Direct links to the Connecticut chapter's sponsors (with whom, the Connecticut chapter could not function) are also available on the new website. Through the new website, members and non-members can link up with CREW CT through Twitter, Facebook and Linked-In. CREW Network Facts * The average member of CREW has 14 years of commercial real estate experience * Nearly 76% of CREW members are presidents, CEO's, partners or senior managers * Nearly 90% of CREW members hold college and/or graduate degrees * 72% of CREW members have referred new members over the past 12 months * Since 1998 more than $710,000 in grants have been awarded in support of the economic advancement of women and girls. Sponsors of CREW CT - The Real Estate Exchange Penthouse Level: * Murtha Cullina, LLP * The S/L/A/M Collarborative Executive Level: * Bligh Graphics * Kostin, Ruffkess & Co., LLC * McCarther & English, LLP * Robinson & Cole, LLP * BlumShaprio * Citizens Bank of Connecticut/ RBS * Cohn Birnbaum & Shea P.C. * Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Company * Dupont Systems Inc. * DEI Consultants * Italia & Lemp, Inc. * Langan Engineering & Environmental Services * Levy & Droney, P.C. * MetroHartford Alliance * Shipman & Goodwin LLP * Tecton Architects, Inc. * The Simon Konover Company * Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. Josephine Aniello is a commercial real estate appraiser at Italia & Lemp, Inc., Hartford, Conn. and chairperson of the public relations committee. Denise Kahler is marketing/communications director at CREW Network, Lawrence, Kan.