Chris Brasler, President and CEO
Chris represents the third generation of family management at Brasler Properties. Over 15 years on the team overseeing the acquisition and successful redevelopment of over 3 Million Square Feet of industrial space in Lancaster, Reading, Lewistown, York and Philadelphia. Chris has been involved in all projects, responsible for development budgets of $60 Million and portfolio value over $100 Million. A creative robust approach to marketing space and intense focus on leasing prospect tenant improvements and operational dynamics are strengths that have gained Chris regional notoriety. This hands-on approach to the due diligence process through acquisition, redevelopment, lease-up and disposition was honed through entrepreneurial ventures in telecommunications and marine archeological survey / salvage prior to joining the firm in 1997. A licensed PA real estate professional with advanced study in financing, construction, and business management, Chris uses these skills running the stable property management platform required to maintain tenant satisfaction.
In 1998, Chris began cold calling firms on the American Street Corridor in Philadelphia's historic industrial heart where occupancies had deteriorated due to age of facilities, security concerns and lack of demand. Under the Federal Empowerment Zone and Philadelphia Enterprise Zone incentive programs, Chris was able to provide clear guidance to prospective tenants and buyers coming from outside of the city in need of the readily available labor force. By combining public financing options and the various employment and investment programs, Chris was able to fill over 230,000sf of urban industrial property inventory in just over a year and was invited onto the Philadelphia Mayor's Business Action Team panel on Federal Empowerment Zone and urban industrial revitalization.
In 1999 Brasler Properties shifted from brokerage work into 'cradle to grave' redevelopment opportunities across Pennsylvania(PA). Chris' focus on Brownfield redevelopment into institutional sale quality product led to presentations at industry events including the Central PA Symposium on Regional Development, The World Affairs and Foreign Trade Zone Forum for PA and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors(SIOR) PA Industrial Conferences.
Chris, Charlotte and their daughter's Pearl(8) and Lola(4) reside in Sydney Australia. Chris is a Bronze Medallion member of the Manly Life Saving Club.
"Brasler team 2006"
Mark Bobb, Facilities Director
Mark joined the team in 1999 and is responsible for day-to-day facility management, development construction and tenant improvements for the Brasler Portfolio as well as in a third party consulting role for several similarly positioned large industrial property owners. Drawing from over 25 years experience overseeing the maintenance and operations of large industrial facilities, including significant manufacturing operations, Mark supervises the Brasler on-site teams and contractors. His ability to run multiple teams of servicing vendors in varying sub-markets with a keen eye toward necessary capital planning has led to savings in construction projects and ongoing operations while delivering consistent high quality output enjoyed by Brasler’s demanding tenants. Mark also oversees the capital budgets for new projects, spec writing, bidding, hiring, and ongoing operation of the physical assets. Utility metering design and optimization coupled with utility supplier deregulation pricing/contract negotiating is a role Mark has taken on and flourished in over the past few years saving tenants and Brasler significant money. In 2012, Mark completed managing the new PCA production facilities office and manufacturing spaces fit out as well as oversaw the facility modifications necessary for Reitnouer Inc.'s move into the Rt 61 Distribution Center Unit 2, 80,504 square feet. Along with his construction design and oversight, Mark has kept the existing tenant's warm, dry, and happy.
Renee Kyle, Office Manager
Renee joined the team in 2001 and currently oversees all in house operations as well as management of the day to day communications link to tenants, lenders and servicing banking institutions. Renee has an extensive background in accounting and operations which she draws upon when managing the accounts payable, payroll, taxes, lease administration and other operating duties pertaining to both the core Brasler Properties entity and the individual properties. Her attention to detail and responsiveness has created an efficient flow of information to and from all parties Brasler Properties does business with.
Bob Brasler, Principal
Robert (Bob) Brasler
August 19, 1936 to June 25, 2012
The Brasler Properties Team celebrate Bob’s life and numerous accomplishments.
Founding President and CEO of the National Constitution Center
Founding(1994) President and CEO of the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall. Under his leadership, the initial capital was raised; the site and concept for the museum were established, an honorary board of directors that included all of the living former United States Presidents was created.
Then Mayor of Philadelphia and former Governor, Ed Rendell said, "Bob Brasler took a simple idea – that in Philadelphia, the Birthplace of modern democracy, we should create a place that tells the story of the great ideas behind our system of government - and breath life into it." "We wouldn’t have the NCC in Philadelphia, an awesome building, with all of the great things and great exhibits and wonderful show without Bob Brasler. Through the lean years when there was no government support he, by almost force of personality kept the center alive."
The Congressionally authorized, non-partisan, non-profit $160 million National Constitution Center opened to rave reviews on July 4, 2003 and hosts more than 1 million visitors annually.
In the Industrial Real Estate industry since leaving the U.S. Marine Corps Air Reserve Bob joined the Binswanger Company in 1961, where he was involved in the development of the Philadelphia Industrial Park, the largest planned industrial park within a major city in the U.S. at the time. Mr. Brasler headed Binswanger’s expansion in the 1970’s, opening international offices in Europe and Japan and 17 US locations. A partner and Vice-Chairman of the company, Mr. Brasler left in 1994 to head the NCC.
After returning to the private sector, Mr. Brasler re-established the family business, Brasler Properties, founded by his father in 1917 with his partner and son, Chris. The company’s most recent completed development the "York Business Center" is a total transformation of a 1.5 million square foot, 126 acre, former Caterpillar Manufacturing Plant in York, PA into a mixed use distribution, manufacturing, office and retail center creating over 1000 jobs.
Mr. Brasler, was an active participant in many charitable endeavors including: Co-chairing the successful ten year effort to build the new $12 million Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center in Fairmount Park(recently renamed Legacy Youth Tennis and Education), a program that benefits over 5 thousand children in greater Philadelphia annually. He has served on the School Board of Philadelphia and also organized and chaired the Mantua Industrial Center, a minority-owned business incubator facility in West Philadelphia. He was involved in the establishment of the Marian Anderson Comprehensive Sickle Cell Care and Research Center at St. Christopher’s as well as a member of the university Barge Rowing Club, where he was active in coordinating the Thomas Eakins Head of the Schuylkill annual rowing race.
Mr. Brasler had a zest for life and actively participated in, singing; rowing; scuba diving; sailing; tennis; ballroom dancing(including appearances on the Larry Ferrari show). He was a proud and active alumni of Central High School’s Class of 202. He served as Chairman of the Dickinson College Board of Advisors and as a Trustee from 1981 to 2001. In 2007 Bob was selected as one of the 25 most influential alumni of Dickinson. He is survived by wife, Sibby, sons, Chris and Brett, granddaughters, Pearl and Lola.
"Past integral members of the Brasler Team"
Brett Brasler
Brett became a member of the Brasler Properties Team at the start of 2004. Having assisted in the management of the opening and on-going operations of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and subsequently the National Constitution Center, both in Philadelphia, he brought a strong hospitality industry project management background to the company. In addition, his extensive experience in sales and client relations enhanced Brasler Properties’ ability to engage, maintain and enhance its tenant and brokerage relationships. Brett, was overseeing all leasing and sales for commercial and industrial clients in the Philadelphia region. Through a committed focus on research he was resident expert on both the Governors latest incentive packages for developers and potential tenants as well as the Foreign Trade Zone and other programs that have been applicable at the Brasler facilities. Since the sale of the York Business Center, Brett has consulted on several private equity real estate transactions and has provided assistance to long held hospitality relationships.
Bob Cartwright
Bob was on the team for the entire YBC transformation from acquisition through Brasler's transitional management for the new owner Equity Industrial, who Bob now works with. For Brasler, Bob managed the site, oversaw contractor and tenant safety compliance and was the face of the project on a day to day basis. Significant managerial experience, grace under pressure and 100% commitment to the project's successful outcome are all attributes to this truly special friend and past work colleague.
Gary McMillan
Gary was brought onto the team in 2005 to oversee tenant relations at all of the Brasler owned and managed facilities. Gary used his skills from a logistics management background to project manage tenant improvements, coordinate the tenant transition process for design, IT, telecom, labor, utilities, etc. His focus on problem solving and follow through were integral to the success of many of the Brasler's new tenancies and this added service offering distanced Brasler from it's peers in the competitive leasing market place. Gary is now consulting full time for quity Industrial for their portfolio of Industrial properties from New Jersey to Indiana.
Jeff Miller
Jeff worked with Brasler properties as a project manager and property supervisor for several years before passing in a hunting accident in February 2007. He had a very diligent work ethic and a super personality- a good friend who is missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.
Wally Lancaster
Wally, aka the 'gator' managed the YBC site in York, PA from 2002 until succumbing to cancer in the spring of 2006. His kind attitude and realistic take on life made him a very special person to be around and positive force influencing the ultimate success of the YBC. The tenants, contractors and ownership of the YBC miss him greatly.
