Tag: Arkansas Business

Kelley Commercial Partners rebrands and looks forward

Posted on 07/23/20

We recently sat down the Daily Record to talk about Kelley Commercial Partners’ recent rebranding efforts and how excited we are about the future of the firm. CEO and executive broker of KCP, Hank Kelley, emphasized that while our name has changed, the company will continue to operate much in the same way it has for the better part of three decades. Most of the firm’s current partners have been in place for several years, and in order to underscore the value of their knowledge, experience, and hard work, Kelley wanted to include the word “partners” in our new name.

And before the ink could dry on our new business cards, an unexpected global pandemic hit and we knew our clients and tenants needed our support more than ever. Property managers and brokers worked closely with tenants to help them understand the process and red tape involved in obtaining state and federal assistance, while our facilities team helped to ensure the health and safety of the occupants in more than 7.4 million square feet of property managed by our firm. Kelley Commercial Partners has also been involved in negotiations that will bring Costco and Amazon to Little Rock.

All in all, it’s been a challenging year for everyone, but Kelley Commercial Partners still sees a bright future for Arkansas and we will continue to serve our community for decades to come.

Hank Kelley recognized by UALR School of Business

Posted on 06/24/20

Hank Kelley, CEO, Executive Broker, and Partner at Kelley Commercial Partners
Whitney Burgess, Vice President of Client Services and Strategy at Team SI

Today the University of Arkansas Little Rock School of Business announced it will honor Kelley Commercial Partners’ CEO, Hank Kelley, as Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for his the mark he has made in business and for his service to the community and UA Little Rock. Whitney Burgess, vice president of client services and strategy at Team SI, will receive the Dean’s Award for Excellence. Awards will be presented at the Distinguished Alumni Luncheon to be held Oct. 16.

Kelley received his MBA from the UA Little Rock School of Business in 1984, the same year he joined the firm which is now Kelley Commercial Partners. He has stayed connected at UA Little Rock over the years by serving on the Business Advisory Council and as adjunct instructor at the School of Business. Last year, Kelley and his wife, Stephanie, made a generous donation to A.P. Vibhakar Endowed Scholarship.

“I’m honored to be recognized by the university and appreciate the efforts of the faculty and administration to engage and stay connected to the business community,” said Kelley.

Costco is coming to west Little Rock

Posted on 05/15/20

Costco coming to west Little Rock

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported today that the wholesale retail giant Costco’s plans for development of 31.81 acres at Chenal Parkway and Kirk Road in Little Rock were approved by city planning commissioners. This will be the first Costco store in the state of Arkansas. Plans include a more than 150,000 square foot warehouse with a tire shop, optical shop, and depending on licensing, a liquor store. The development also will have a free-standing gas station and outparcels. We at Kelley Commercial Partners are excited about this news and look forward to welcoming them to the market.

Flake & Kelley Commercial Transitions to Kelley Commercial Partners

Posted on 05/08/20

Hank Kelley, CEO Kelley Commercial Partners

Hank Kelley, CEO, is pleased to announce that Flake & Kelley Commercial is now Kelley Commercial Partners. An amicable stock purchase transaction was finalized on May 6^th, and an agreement entered to purchase John Flake’s stock in Flake & Kelley Commercial.

Day-to-day operations will continue to be led by Hank Kelley, with Daryl Peeples, Maggie Hogan, and Nicholas Kelley in executive management roles. The Little Rock partner team also includes Cheryl White, Bill Pendergist, Brooke Miller, Eric Varner, Cynthia Lu, and Kevin Pledger. Jay Pearcy serves as principal broker in Northwest Arkansas.

Kelley Commercial Partners will continue to provide brokerage, property management, development management, and consulting services. Kelley Commercial Partners is a Chainlinks member helping to connect retail and hospitality clients through this productive network of commercial real estate companies across the United States.

“Aside from a new name, Kelley Commercial Partners remains Arkansas’s premier commercial real estate firm with the same commitment to first-class client service,” said Kelley.

The firm maintains an award-winning team of more than 80 trusted, skilled professionals and support staff. The team is experienced in meeting the real estate needs of our clients and customers and are laser-focused on delivering superior commercial real estate services.

“We are excited about the future of the company. While we are proud of what we have accomplished over the past three decades, looking forward, we know the best is yet to come,” said Kelley.

Kelley Commercial Partners remains headquartered in Little Rock with a Northwest Arkansas Office to serve the entire state.

Hank Kelley, guest lecturer at UALR College of Business

Posted on 11/07/19

On Monday evening, Hank Kelley was invited by instructor Elizabeth Small to lecture her UALR College of Business Finance 4371 class. This senior-level class teaches elements of mortgage financing for housing and investment property; sources of funds; application and approval; real estate investment analysis; effects of financing and income taxation upon investment returns and is part of the college’s real estate program.

Kelley discussed the types of mapping and demographic information Flake & Kelley provides clients. National retailers rely heavily on location, traffic counts, other retailers, and competition, as well as demographics before deciding on a site. He also covered current trends in the commercial real estate market. He noted the increased interest from investors in multi-family properties. An investment group out of Cinncinati recently purchased the 84-unit Barrister Court apartments. Retailers, on the other hand, are figuring out how to do more with less. Kelley commented that Little Rock’s newest national retailer, Trader Joe’s, prefers keeping shelves stocked rather than leasing more space for storing goods. The Little Rock Port was recently in the news because the Michigan-based company, HMS Manufacturing, chose a 550,000 SF industrial space in the port to open its fourth manufacturing facility.

On the subject of investing in real estate, Kelley shared advice his father, who was also in the real estate business, shared with him, “Every piece of property you own owns a piece of you.”

Hank’s executive assistant and current student at the College of Business, Tara Mitchell, was invited to sit in on the lecture.

“I was so excited when Professor Small gave me permission to sit in on this class. It’s great to watch Hank share his knowledge with the next generation, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a successful person on a daily basis,” said Tara Mitchell.