NAI/Latter and Blum has announced that Karl Landreneau, CCIM, has joined the firm as Director of Commercial Sales and Leasing for the company’s Baton Rouge and Lafayette offices.

Landreneau replaces H. Ben Johnson, a well-known 32-year veteran of commercial real estate who has managed NAI/Latter and Blum's Baton Rouge commercial office for the past 12 years. Johnson will continue with NAI/Latter and Blum, relinquishing his administrative duties and rejoining the sales and leasing team to service many of his long-term clients.

“We are sorry to see Ben step down after all he has done for us,” said Rich Stone, NAI/Latter & Blum Vice President of Commercial Sales and Leasing. “But we are delighted to have landed a replacement of Karl’s stature.”

A graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Landreneau has been an active player in matters affecting commercial real estate in Louisiana.  He is Past President of Commercial Investment Division (CID) of East Baton Rouge Parish, 2007 President of the Louisiana CCIM  (Certified Commercial Investment Member) Chapter, and will begin a three year term on CCIM's National Board of Directors next year.  Landreneau was also the 2006 Chair of the Commercial Business & Industry Team for the Louisiana Realtors Association.

Landreneau is recognized across the state for his role in helping to create the first database of Louisiana commercial properties for use by commercial Realtors. That database, the Louisiana Commercial Database, was originally formed in 2002 by key commercial Realtors in New Orleans and Baton Rouge working in cooperation with the Louisiana Association of Realtors, the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors and the East Baton Rouge Association of Realtors.  Stone and Landreneau first met when each was involved in the database project.

Landreneau, a 10-year veteran of Baton Rouge real estate, said he welcomed the chance to join NAI/Latter and Blum.

“Latter and Blum’s commercial affiliation with the international NAI brokerage network gives us access to a leading-edge technology platform and to business opportunities not available at any other firm in the state,” said Landreneau. “NAI/Latter and Blum is extremely well positioned to take advantage of the growth in the Baton Rouge market. The combination of the company’s reputation for providing outstanding services to clients and the NAI connection makes this an extremely exciting opportunity.”

Landreneau will oversee a staff of 22 commercial agents at NAI/Latter & Blum.  Last year, the company’s commercial sales and leasing division handled 924 transaction sides with a total volume in excess of $300 Million. 

Landreneau sees strong growth ahead for both the Baton Rouge and Lafayette markets.

“With 95% occupancy in all commercial disciplines, there is strong demand for new product. There is a great deal of new construction either planned or already underway. I hope to see in the next two years substantial commercial inventory coming on line to meet the demand. I think the Baton Rouge and Lafayette markets can absorb all of the planned new construction and still maintain healthy demand across the board.”

“I know that 2008 through 2010 will bring continued strong growth to the Baton Rouge real estate market,” said Landreneau.  “I am looking forward to seeing NAI/Latter & Blum share in a large part of that growth.