RICHMOND, VIRGINIA:  Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer is pleased to announce that Lee Warfield, President of Thalhimer since 2011, has been promoted to chief executive officer, and will also continue in his role as president. Paul F. Silver, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer, will remain chairman of the board of directors, involved in serving clients daily and working on long range planning and strategy for the firm.
   Paul Silver has been with Thalhimer since October 1984 and served in numerous roles including executive vice president and chief operating officer. He was promoted to president and chief executive officer in 1996, and has led the firm in that role for 19 years. During his tenure, the company entered new markets, expanded the brokerage and construction operations and established Thalhimer Realty Partners.  The firm has grown during this period to include over 100 broker professionals and 400 associates companywide. The property management portfolio has approximately 20,000,000 square feet of commercial space and 6,100 apartment units in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
   Silver has been active in numerous professional affiliations and held leadership positions such as President of Richmond Association of Realtors, President of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Real Estate Circle of Excellence, President of VCU Real Estate Foundation, and President of Virginia Museum Real Estate Foundation.
   Silver said, “When you talk about Thalhimer’s accomplishments in the real estate business over the last 100 years, you have to be talking about the talented associates who are committed to evolving our services and platform to match an ever-changing marketplace. There is no doubt that Lee’s experience and talent as chief executive officer will be beneficial in continuing that same Thalhimer tradition.”
   Warfield joined Thalhimer in July 1995, specializing in site selection services for regional and national retailers, as well as land assemblage and pre-development leasing. He has represented many prominent retailers such as Home Depot, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Regal Entertainment.  In 2002, he was promoted to executive vice president and had leadership responsibilities for Thalhimer’s brokerage operations. In 2011 he was named president.  Warfield has served as President of the VCU Real Estate Circle of Excellence, State Director of the Virginia International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and is a member of Richmond Real Estate Group.
   Warfield comments “It’s an honor to succeed Paul Silver as Thalhimer’s CEO. Under Paul’s guidance, we’ve built a tremendously successful firm. He has always thought big and has been relentlessly driven to push Thalhimer to new heights. I’m excited for the opportunity to lead Thalhimer. We have a well-respected brand, a winning culture, and very talented associates. Together, I am confident we will accelerate our growth, creating value for our clients and associates.”
   Warfield is Thalhimer’s fourth chief executive officer since its founding in 1913.  Silver and Warfield will continue to work closely together on the strategic direction of the firm. The leadership change will take effect January 2016.