Madelayne Garcia

For someone who never thought she’d go into the business, commercial real estate has been very good to Madelayne Garcia, director of real estate for Stiles Realty Company in Fort Lauderdale.

Garcia closed nearly $71 million in deals in 2005, garnering her the Office Broker of the Year award from the South Florida chapter of NAIOP. Her key deal last year was a 220,000sf renewal and expansion by the law firm Akerman Senterfitt at the SunTrust International Building in Downtown Miami.

“My first job out of college was in commercial real estate. I didn’t really anticipate going into the business,” she said, adding she began her work in the field at Lennar Home’s commercial division.

“You know how people always say your first job is your career. I guess that was true for me.”

What followed has been a 19-year career in leasing, sales, property and asset management, and marketing, working for companies such as Travelers Insurance Co., Paragon Group and The Hogan Group. Her representation credits include First Union National Bank, SAP America, Barrow Street
Capital, SPP Investment Management, New York Life, and Royal Palm at SouthPointe, a joint venture between The Hogan Group and Credit Suisse First Boston.

Garcia came to Stiles Realty five years ago after a local position came open. Staying close to home was a key consideration because she had young children at the time.

“I have lived in South Florida for many years and knew of the company. They had a position available at the time I was looking, and I wanted to stay in Broward County because that’s where I lived,” she said. “I had known the people at Stiles for many years.”

Garcia has a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from the University of Florida and an MBA from the University of Miami. She has earned her Real Property Administrator designation and the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation. She has been featured widely in local trade publications.

Garcia said she continues to find the commercial real estate business to be satisfying.

“I love real estate. I like to see the transition from buying a parcel of land and building the building to marketing it and bringing in the people. I enjoy the entire process,” she said.

Outside of work, Garcia is active with CREW Miami, CREW Fort Lauderdale/Palm Beach, NAIOP South Florida, the Broward Alliance, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Beacon Council and the South Florida Office Brokers Association. Her work with Breaking of the Bread helps feed the homeless, and she continues to be involved with her local church.

As for her work at Stiles, mixed-use development is in the cards.

“I represent a sizable amount of space in the Sunrise office market. Stiles Corporation has purchased some vacant parcels that we’re looking into developing,” she said. “It’s going to be a mixed-use project, and we’re very much looking forward to developing that land.”