John L. Gerdes
Executive Vice President, Retail
Asset Management

John L. Gerdes is responsible for the management, leasing, and operations of retail properties ranging from New York to Hawaii.  Mr. Gerdes has an extensive background in real estate having served in security, operations, leasing, and management on site at shopping centers in Atlanta, Phoenix and San Antonio.  As an asset manager, Mr. Gerdes has been involved in development, re-development and supervision of  a portfolio of over 6 million square feet.

Mr. Gerdes is a Senior Certified Shopping Center Manager and a Senior Certified Leasing Specialist through the International Council of Shopping Centers (“ICSC”).  He is also a Certified Property Manager through the Institute of Real Estate Management. 

He is an active member of the ICSC, currently on the CSM committee and having served as Chairman of the 2004 Fall Conference and as part of the Fusion Conference Committee.  He is a past Dean of the ICSC University of Shopping Centers School of Asset Management and General Studies.  Mr. Gerdes is currently on the ICSC Security Task Force.  He is an author and instructor for the ICSC seminars “Finance for Non-Financial People” and “Leasing for Non-Leasing People”.  Mr. Gerdes has been an international instructor for ICSC teaching in Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey.

Mr. Gerdes has been with the firm since 1985 coming to the corporate office in Dallas in 1996 as an asset manager.  Mr. Gerdes has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Nebraska.