Tag: Arkansas commercial real estate

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.

Flake & Kelley Commercial Elects New Shareholder Partners

Posted on 12/21/18

Little Rock, AR (December 21, 2018) – Flake & Kelley Commercial is pleased to announce the election of four new shareholder partners. Nicholas Kelley, Cynthia Lu, Kevin Pledger, and Eric Varner have earned shareholder status in the company to join existing partners John Flake, Hank Kelley, Daryl Peeples, Cheryl White, Maggie Hogan, Kathy Groce, James Harkins, Bill Pendergist, and Brooke Miller. With the addition of these new shareholders, Flake & Kelley now has partners across every department, including: brokerage, property management, accounting, human resources, and maintenance.

Hank Kelley, CEO of Flake & Kelley Commercial, commented: “Our new shareholders are an important part of our future as they demonstrate a high degree of knowledge and care for our clients.”

John Flake, Chairman, joined Mr. Kelley in congratulating the new partners: “Our new shareholders represent the finest in professional services. We are delighted to recognize their many contributions to Flake & Kelley.”

Nicholas Kelley joined Flake & Kelley in 2017 and serves as Executive Vice President for the company. He is also a member of Flake & Kelley’s Executive Committee. Nicholas is a member of the company’s brokerage/leasing team, representing such clients as Arthur’s Steakhouse/Ocean’s at Arthur’s and Riverside Properties and properties including Two Financial Centre and the Blandford Building. He also provides guidance to Flake & Kelley’s team on a variety of complex legal matters.

Nicholas is a graduate of the University of Georgia (BBA, Real Estate and Finance) and the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University (JD). Mr. Kelley received The American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for excellence in the study of labor and employment law. Prior to joining Flake & Kelley, Nicholas practiced as a commercial real estate attorney with the Little Rock firm of Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull, PLLC and most recently with a large Am Law 100 firm in Atlanta, Georgia (McGuire Woods LLP). Nicholas is recently completed the Arkansas Business Executive Leadership Academy.

Cynthia Lu joined Flake & Kelley in 2013. As a member of the company’s transactional team, Cynthia is responsible for traditional brokerage, leasing, and tenant representation. She represents national, regional, and local retailers such as AT&T, Firebirds Restaurants, Mattress Firm, PetSmart, Signet Jewelers, and Taco Bueno. Cynthia is also a leasing agent for a number of retail centers, including Westchase Plaza, Markham Square, The Village Shopping Center, and Lewis Crossing in Conway.

Cynthia is a summa cum laude graduate of Rice University (BA) and earned a master’s degree from Georgia Tech University in Building Construction & Facility Management. Cynthia was one of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professionals. She is a member of ChainLinks Retail Advisors and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Cynthia was recognized as one of Little Rock Soiree Magazine’s “Women to Watch” in 2017. Cynthia has recently been selected to participate in the Leadership Greater Little Rock Class XXXIV.

Kevin Pledger joined Flake & Kelley in 2014 and serves as Director of Facilities. He is responsible for directing all activities for the facilities department including the repair, maintenance and construction of all Flake & Kelley managed properties.

Kevin is a member of the American Society of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), the Arkansas Association for Healthcare Engineering (AAHE), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Prior to joining Flake & Kelley, Kevin served as the Operations Manager for the Arkansas Building Authority.

Eric Varner joined Flake & Kelley in 2013. As a member of the company’s property management team, Eric oversees the management of some of Central Arkansas’ premier office buildings, medical buildings, and retail centers, including Two Financial Centre, The Village at Pleasant Valley, Westchase Plaza, and Shackleford Crossings.

Eric is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University (BA – Business Administration). Eric was recently awarded the designation of Certified Property Manager® – CPMs are recognized as experts in real estate management and they are at the top of the profession. Eric is also active in Park Hill Baptist Church, Urban Promise, and FORE Ouachita.

For further information, please contact:

Paula Guajardo, Director of Marketing

Flake & Kelley Commercial

501.244.7540 (direct)

501.960.3693 (mobile)

pguajardo@kelleycp.com