Colorado Real Estate Journal -
Darren Fisk is the newly appointed managing director of Johnson Capital’s Denver office. He will lead the business efforts of the company in the region. Fisk has been with the firm since 2004, during which time he has closed more than $3.2 billion in debt transactions. These include a recent $200 million credit facility from a life insurance company for an apartment real estate investment trust and a $150 million portfolio loan for an industrial real estate investment trust. Prior to Johnson Capital, Fisk was with Realty Funding Group LLC, a company that owned, financed, and managed more than 14,000 apartment units throughout the United States. He received a degree in finance and small-business management from the University of Colorado and is also a licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker. In addition to Fisk, Kristian Lichtenfels, another originator in the Denver office, has been promoted to vice president. Several Sherman & Howard real estate lawyers were named among the best in the 2012 release of Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Robert Brown was praised by interviewees for his “good business sense and logical and analytical brain.” He has a broad transactional real estate practice and is recognized as a “scholarly and deep-thinking attorney.” Rebecca Fischer is best known for the acquisition and development of hotel, resort and leisure properties. She is regarded by sources as an “absolutely outstanding technical lawyers who is very loyal to her clients.” She also earns acclaim for her deal management skills. Real estate department manager Diana Wendel is highly rated by clients who describe her as “extremely skilled, timely and very available and thorough.” They also note that she “understands risk and business decisions.” Daniel Frost, a construction and infrastructure partner in Snell & Wilmer’s Denver office, was named as a leader in the construction field by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2012. The firm was recognized nationally in the field of franchising and also was recognized in Colorado for commercial litigation. For more than 30 years, Frost has represented owners, contractors and engineers in complex construction claims and large infrastructure transactions. He has significant experience with energy, resources, water and climate-related projects, including those involving power plants, mines, water treatment plants, and oil and gas facilities. The Colorado Companies to Watch advisory board recently established a Legacy Honor to acknowledge individuals whose contributions have been instrumental to the success of Colorado Companies to Watch and to the advancement of second-stage companies. Hazel Hartbarger, director of the Arvada Economic Development Association, was among the inductees. Hartbarger is recognized nationally as a leader in local industry programs. The Arvada Business Retention and Expansion program is a best practice that many communities have modeled with mentorship and support from Hartbarger. As stated by Stephanie Steffens, director of the Colorado Workforce Development Council, "Hazel has worked throughout her career to not only support existing businesses in her community but to raise awareness for the critical value of second-stage companies to our economy in our state and our nation. The city of Arvada was one of the very first funders of Colorado Companies to Watch and if it was not for Hazel’s vision and leadership, this program may have never come to Colorado. Hazel has been a model for me in my economic development career and it is with great pride we inducted Hazel as an inaugural member of Colorado Companies to Watch Legacy Honorees."