About
Professional Summary
Melissa joined Colliers International in 2012 as a Marketing Coordinator for the Retail Tenant Representation Team in Tampa Bay to develop and implement comprehensive marketing campaigns based on each project’s unique set of requirements. Melissa was the Marketing Coordinator Team Lead for the Tampa Bay office from 2012 through 2015. In 2016 she began to transition into a brokerage role and now holds the position of Senior Associate, Retail Services.
Melissa specializes in Retail Tenant Representation, as well as Retail Leasing. She is an expert in site selection, market analysis, tenant prospecting, market roll-out strategy, lease negotiations, preparing Real Estate Committee packages and conducting High Quality Trade Area studies for national retailers. Melissa currently works with clients such as: The TJX Companies, Second and Charles, Jollibee, Pearle Vision, Madison Reed Color Bar, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Action Gator, Just Salad, Teriyaki Madness, and more.
On the Retail Leasing side, Melissa works on the Water Street Tampa and Sparkman Wharf project, which is a 50 acre, $3B project in Downtown Tampa. Upon completion of Phase I and II, Water Street Tampa will add 9M SF to Tampa's downtown, and 1M SF of retail/entertainment and will change the current landscape of downtown Tampa into a live, work, play environment. She has also recently began working on a high profile restaurant lisitng in St. Pete's Westside district, 6001 Central Avenue.
Accomplishments
Melissa has over 12 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. She discovered her passion for Real Estate while working for Grubb and Ellis in NYC in the Office Services division. Melissa has quickly learned that while she enjoyed office brokerage, retail is her true calling.
In 2018 Melissa was asked to be the head of the Retail Next Generation Committee for Colliers International nationwide. In 2017 she was awarded a Women's Diversity Scholarship. Melissa is a member of The Kovacs Retail Team which includes her business partners Jim Kovacs, Tyler Peterson and Kyle Mahoney. The Team has earned Colliers Florida Top Producing Team in 2017, 2018 & 2019. She has also been the recipient of the Colliers International Above and Beyond Award for excellence in 2012 and 2013, as well as the Community Service Award for 2014 and 2015. Melissa was ranked as a Costar Power broker for Q12020 and was named a 2020 Leading Influencer in Retail by GlobeSt.com. Melissa was chosen by Connect Media CRE as a 2020 Women in Real Estate Honoree.
Education
Melissa is a licensed Florida State Sales Associate.
Melissa studied financial economics at Binghamton University and has earned her CPMC and CPRC designations from Colliers University and the Hubspot Inbound Marketing Certification from Hubspot Academy.
Memberships & Involvements
ICSC FL Committee Member
Services
My Team
My Team
Jim is a 32-year industry veteran and an expert in all facets of Retail Commercial Leasing and Tenant Representation, heavily specialized in strategic planning, brand roll-outs, legacy landlord relationships and deal negotiations. As senior broker and team lead for The Kovacs Retail Team, Jim has built a high-performing, world-class team that is highly sought after to work with. Jim is a trusted advisor to his clients with a proven track record of success that reflects his dedication to locating the right deals to fit the needs of each client. Jim understands that success is not just about getting a deal completed, but true success is keeping a client happy long term. He truly puts the clients first and his personal approach creates lasting business relationships. Jim is highly regarded within the brokerage community for his extensive experience, in-depth market knowledge and his insights on all things retail.
Some of the clients Jim has represented (many with multiple assignments) include: IKEA, Academy Sports (multiple), TJX Companies (TJMaxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods – over 75 units) Office Depot (over 40 units), Panera Bread (over 40 units), Ashley Furniture Industries (multiple units), and multiples of the all of following: Lowes, Home Improvement Store for both store acquisition and site disposition, Floor & Decor, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Pollo Tropical, Mission BBQ, Crunch Fitness, Bloomin' Brands, Cooper's Hawk, Banfield Pet Hospital, and more.
Tyler is an 11-year industry veteran and memeber of The Kovacs Retail Team. He is focused on Retail Commercial Leasing and Tenant Representation, specializing in leading brand rollouts, consolidating deal negotiations and Real Estate Committee preparation. Clients and colleagues alike recognize Tyler as a best in class broker within the retail community.
Tyler currently works with clients such as Floor & Decor, Ashley Furniture Industries, Banfield Pet Hospital, First Watch, Panera Bread, Cooper’s Hawk, Harbor Freight Tools, Blaze Pizza, Mission BBQ, Crunch Fitness, Burger King, Verizon, Office Depot and more.
Kyle Mahoney joined Colliers in January of 2017 as an Associate of Retail Services in the Tampa Bay Area. Kyle is a member of The Kovacs Retail Team and specializes in Tenant Representation. Kyle focuses on tracking and studying market trends, demographics for his clients, as well as pursuing and facilitating sale and lease transactions. In less than 3 years on the team, Kyle has gone from a rookie associate, to now taking the lead role on multiple tenant rep assignments. Kyle’s charismatic personality and knowledge in real estate is reflected by the close relationships he has built with his clients, going far beyond the typical broker-client rapport.
Kyle currently works with clients such as: Culver’s, Burger King, Ashley Furniture Industries, Verizon, Five Guys, The Original Mattress Factory, F45, Banfield Pet Hospital and more.
Sandra has over 14 years customer service experience in marketing, management, administrative, health care and commercial real estate. Her current responsibilities involve a variety of tasks essential to the marketing, research and operations efforts of the team, which includes interfacing with clients, creating LOI's, preparing real estate committee packages, proposals, database management, team organization and social media. Sandra has been instrumental in improving existing operational procedures within the team structure. Prior to her career in commercial real estate, she worked in the restaurant industry and championed the first ever Darden franchise opening in Mexico. Sandra has a passion for photography and in her spare time has built a thriving business shooting weddings, family sessions and working with notable bloggers.
Tammy’s background is routed in marketing, administration, office management and service-related industries, with over 16 years’ experience focused in commercial real estate. She is a dedicated, senior commercial real estate assistant and her skills are varied and deep. Her current responsibilities involve a variety of tasks essential to the marketing and operations efforts of the team, which includes interfacing with clients, creating LOI's, preparing real estate committee packages, proposals, database management, research, team organization and social media.
Prior to working for Colliers International Tammy worked at CBRE for over 11 years in their Houston, Texas and suburban Philadelphia offices. She also spent 2 and 1/2 years with NAI Mertz's suburban Philadelphia office. During her career, Tammy has worked for several top producing agents in various specialties including Industrial, Land, Multifamily, Office and Retail. Prior to her career in commercial real estate, Tammy spent 10 years in the restaurant industry and worked as a corporate trainer for various chains traveling the country, opening new restaurant locations. In her spare time, she also runs a successful, personal lifestyle blog.