Written by Jonanthan O’Connell, [January 3, 2011 WashingtonPost.com]

Article submitted byCarmen R. Austin, MBA, CCIM, Associate Broker for Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate

As chief executive of CB Richard Ellis Group, Brett White is closely attuned not only to real estate markets worldwide but also — as the head of a Fortune 500 firm — to the larger economic dynamics that affect global companies like his. The company, in overseeing billions of dollars of real estate services every year, employs nearly 30,000 people and works out of 425 global offices and affiliates. In December, White shared his thoughts on the economy, real estate and what the future holds for both.

Are we in an economic recovery now nationally?

There is no question that we are in the early days of a recovery phase and I think also there’s no question we’re moving toward a more protracted expansion phase.

To read this article in its entirety click HERE.

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Carmen has been a practicing commercial real estate broker since 2001. She is a graduate of the Louisiana State University (LSU) E.J. Ourso College of Business and the LSU Flores Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Program with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and Real Estate Finance.  Her experience includes past employment as Regional Director of Leasing at Commercial Properties Realty Trust the for-profit arm of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. Carmen’s affiliations include Louisiana REALTORS®,Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® Commercial Investment Division, International Council of Shopping Centers, Commercial Real Estate Women, Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute, National Association of REALTORS®, and Urban Land Institute. She is also an active volunteer on the board of directors for the Baton Rouge Gallery, LSU MBA Alumni Association, Junior Achievement of Baton Rouge, and the Junior League of Baton Rouge.  Carmen currently serves as the 2010 President of the Louisiana CCIM Chapter. 

Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate is a member of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce (BRAC); the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce; the Baton Rouge Growth Coalition; the Baton Rouge Better Business Bureau; the Louisiana Commercial Data Base (LACDB); and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Several agents, on an individual basis, are members of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors® (SIOR), the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute (CCIM); the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR); and the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® Commercial Investment Division (CID).