TUCSON, Arizona — James Kai, CCIM, LEED-AP with Kai Enterprises, JMK Family Properties and Kai Motels Inc. was among the Certified Commercial Investment Members’ (CCIM) newest 201 designees honored by the CCIM Institute and their local chapter members during a pinning ceremony at the Institute’s Annual Governance Meetings in Atlanta Georgia.

The new CCIMs hailed from 37 states, with the highest concentration in Texas, Florida, and California, and have varying years of experience and work in all aspects of the commercial real estate profession.

“My education obtained through the CCIM designation process has already been a very valuable resource for my clients,” Kai said. “I know that the network and tools available through CCIM will be a cornerstone asset in my business.”

The CCIM designation is considered the most rigorous commercial real estate professional designation to obtain due to extensive coursework, a peer-reviewed commercial portfolio, and a final comprehensive exam lasting six hours. Five years is average time to complete the CCIM designation requirements.

At the pinning ceremony, 2016 CCIM Institute President Steven W. Moreira, CCIM, recognized the “dedication, determination, and hard work each designee showed to get to this point in their careers.”

“From networking and educational opportunities, to being able to possess immediate recognition as a commercial real estate professional, pursuing the CCIM designation has helped me from start to finish,” says Julie Kang, CCIM, senior managing director of MHP Real Estate Services in New York City. “I am able to help my clients better and interact with other industry professionals on a knowledge basis and can also know when to apply creative ideas to close a transaction.”

James obtained his real estate license in 2006 and was with Logan Commercial Advisors before hanging his license with Wexler & Associates in 2011.

James can be contacted at 520.791.2409.

The CCIM Institute welcomed its 2015 President and Leadership Team during the organization’s Fall Business Meetings at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles this week.

Mark Macek, CCIM, president and owner of Macek Companies, Inc., in Great Falls, Mont., will serve as 2015 President of the CCIM Institute starting Jan. 1. Macek has 25 years of experience in the industry and specializes in commercial real estate brokerage, commercial and residential property management, and real estate development.

His long-time involvement with the CCIM Institute includes serving as 2014 President-Elect and 2013 First Vice President. He is also a member of the CCIM Institute’s Board of Directors and has served on several of the organization’s committees, including the Strategic Planning Committee, Member Services Committee, and Legislative Affairs Subcommittee. Macek is a graduate of the CCIM Institute’s Jay W. Levine Leadership Development Academy and was awarded the Susan J. Groeneveld Award of Excellence for his accomplishments.

In addition to obtaining the CCIM designation, Macek has earned the Graduate of the Realtor® Institute and Certified Residential Specialist designations. Macek earned a BS from Montana State University and an MBA from the University of Montana.

2014 First Vice President Steven W. Moreira, CCIM, will assume the role of 2015 CCIM Institute President-Elect. Moreira has more than 35 years of experience in commercial real estate and is president of Magic Properties and Investments, Inc., a commercial real estate company based in Longwood, Fla.

Moreira has served on the CCIM Institute’s Board of Directors for more than 11 years and has been involved in many of the organization’s committees, including the Chapter Activities Committee, Legislative Affairs Subcommittee, and Strategic Planning Committee. He is also a graduate of the CCIM Institute’s Jay W. Levine Leadership Development Academy.

Robin L. Webb, CCIM, managing director/principal of NAI Realvest in Orlando, Fla., will serve as 2015 First Vice President of the CCIM Institute. Webb has served as Treasurer, Florida Chapter President, Regional Vice President, Presidential Liaison, and on a number of committees, including Member Services Committee, Designation Committee, Finance Committee, and Legislative Affairs Subcommittee, among others. Webb also has had extensive involvement with the CCIM Foundation, most recently serving as 2014 President. He holds the Certified Property Manager designation, among several other industry designations.

Charles C. (Chuck) Connely IV, CCIM, managing director of EPR Financial Services in Kansas City, Mo., will serve another term as Treasurer of the CCIM Institute in 2015. Connely is on the CCIM Institute’s Board of Directors and has more than 20 years of experience in the investment banking sector. He is also an Associate Professor in real estate and finance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Bloch School of Management and for the Lewis White Real Estate Center.

In addition, Louis H. Nimkoff, CCIM, president of Brio Real Estate in Winter Park, Fla., was elected to serve as the CCIM Institute’s 2015 Treasurer-Elect. Nimkoff will assume the role of Treasurer in 2016.