New Orleans CREW is delighted to shine the Sponsor Spotlight on Skyscraper Sponsor, Stirling Properties.

Stirling Properties is a regional real estate firm that combines experience, expertise, and service to provide unparalleled results for their clients. Lead by President and CEO Marty Mayer, and Executive Vice Presidents and Partners Chip Songy, Lewis Stirling and Grady Brame, along with Chairman Jimmy Maurin, the company has been able to adapt to changing real estate conditions and implement cutting edge technologies that gave their clients a competitive edge during the uncertain 2009 market.  Reporting over ½ billion dollars in combined sales and employing almost 370 professionals, Stirling Properties’ portfolio includes 12 million square feet of managed property and 14 million square feet of properties for sale or lease, making them one of the largest real estate firms in the Gulf South.

Stirling Properties offers comprehensive services in development; commercial brokerage; property and asset management; investment sales; property owner and tenant representation; and residential real estate services. Headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, on the Northshore of New Orleans, the company has branch office locations in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Iberia, New Orleans, Metairie, Mandeville, Shreveport/Bossier, Hammond, and Ascension in Louisiana. Stirling Properties’ experience and relationships in the industry on a national level coupled with this regional network enables their clients to receive the best advice in the region.

From sophisticated management information systems and advanced web enabled applications, to their in-depth market research team, Stirling Properties continually strives to provide unmatched solutions in the real estate marketplace.  Whether you're expanding your commercial real estate portfolio or buying your dream home, count on Stirling Properties to be your partner!  For more information, please contact Donna F. Taylor, Senior Vice President of Asset Management & New Business Development at dtay@stirlingprop.com or 985-898-2022.

New Orleans CREW is pleased to shine the Member Spotlight on Board Member and Co-Chair of the Programs Committee, Janna Shearman. 

Janna is vice president and manager of the Louisiana and Arkansas offices of First American Exchange Company, a division of The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF), a FORTUNE 500® company and America’s largest provider of business information.  She has worked in the exchange industry since 2004 and has attained the designation of Certified Exchange Specialist®.  In addition to facilitating all types of 1031 tax-deferred exchanges, including simultaneous and delayed exchanges of real, personal, and multi-asset properties, Janna also specializes in reverse and build-to-suit exchanges. 

Janna is a frequent speaker on the topic of 1031 exchanges and will be speaking at five continuing education seminars in Arkansas that are being sponsored by the Arkansas Land Title Association this year.

She is also a regular contributor to several trade journals. Her most recent article, “Reverse & Improvement Exchanges Expand Opportunities for Tax Deferral,” appeared in the annual January/February Tax Issue of Lagniappe, a publication of the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. She also wrote an article for her company’s January Exchange Update newsletter entitled “Certain Capital Gains Now Exempt from Louisiana Income Tax.”

Janna has extensive experience in the field of real estate, having worked for 20 years as a commercial real estate paralegal and licensed title insurance agent. Her other professional memberships include the Louisiana Land Title Association, the New Orleans Real Estate Investors Association, and the Federation of Exchange Accommodators. 

Janna can be reached at 800-247-4035 or jashearman@firstam.com.