LEIGH BROWN, 35
Director, Office and Industrial
VEREIT Inc.
Phoenix
With 16 years in the business, four in her current position, Leigh Brown brings a fresh
perspective to the overall operation of properties at VEREIT Inc. in order to ensure
operations meet or surpass industry standards. Brown leads by forming positive internal and external
relationships, listening to the needs and wants of those she interacts with and finding short-term and long-term solutions within
organizational constraints. After being promoted to director—
office and industrial property management earlier this year,
Brown now oversees a team of 19 property management professionals who are responsible for the day-to-day management of
414 properties throughout the US and Puerto Rico. Brown
believes it is imperative that the industry and its leaders leverage
technology and efficiency within their facilities in order for their
tenants to sustain a competitive edge.
BRIAN BUDNICK, 35
Senior Vice President
CBRE Group Inc.
Atlanta
Brian Budnick stands out from his counter-
parts due to his strong interpersonal rela-
tionships, from the top to the bottom of key
organizations in the industrial space. He also
has a wealth of deal experience ranging
from small local market dispositions to multi-billion-dollar port-
folio transactions across the US. Budnick is involved in the dis-
position of institutional investment properties, primarily indus-
trial product across the country, with a focus on the Southeast
region. He is a key member of the CBRE National Partners
team, a partnership of investment professionals in the five key
logistics hubs that deliver strategy and transaction execution
over the industrial property lifecycle, including sales, recapital-
izations and joint ventures. Budnick has been involved in the
sale of over 225 million square feet of real estate properties
totaling in excess of $10.9 billion in consideration. He was the
CBRE Top 225 Producer for 2014 and 2012 and the L. Frederick
Glass Jr. Rookie of the Year on the Atlanta Commercial Board of
Realtors for 2009.
BRIAN CABIELLES, 25
Associate
State Street Realty
Doral, FL
Brian Cabielles is a great communicator and
listener. There is no task too big or too small
for him, and he is always willing to take on
more responsibility. His current responsibili-
ties include new business development and
assisting the company’s senior brokers in the day-to-day leasing of
a four-million-square-foot portfolio of office and industrial prop-
erties within Miami-Dade County. In 2014, Cabielles assisted in
the leasing and sales of more than one million square feet of
office and industrial spaces with a transactional value of more
than $1 million. Being born and raised in Miami with Hispanic
roots has allowed Cabielles to connect with the growing pool of
wealthy out-of-town buyers and bridge the gap to connect them
with well financed institutional developers. In addition to Latin
American players, he has seen a growing number of investors
from northeastern US technology companies and hedge funds
looking at Miami as an important location to diversify.
Initiative and a willingness to work hard are two of the traits necessary to be an emerging
leader. A track record of success and giving back are two more. REAL ESTATE FORUM has
compiled a list of 20 young professionals in the industrial arena who demonstrate that they
have the right stuff to be leaders in the industry. By Carrie Rossenfeld
