Movers & Shakers: Todd Hanson, Cushman & Wakefield/NorthMarq senior director

Veteran broker Todd Hanson of Cushman & Wakefield/NorthMarq, named 2016 president of the Minnesota Commercial Association of Real Estate (MNCAR), is optimistic that the Twin Cities' strong commercial property market will continue into next year.

Construction of the Minnesota Vikings' stadium and other projects in Minneapolis' Downtown East neighborhood have added to the market's momentum, Hanson said.

"In almost every sector of the commercial real estate world, it's a pretty good time," Hanson said. "Everybody's having some fun right now almost across the board."

MNCAR offers its 1,100-plus members access to the organization's commercial property listings database as well as educational programs, events and networking opportunities. Members include brokers and others involved in retail, industrial, office and investment sales transactions.

Hanson said he hoped to increase MNCAR's membership and continue the stability MNCAR has experienced in recent years since downsizing its administrative staff and board of directors.

"Getting leaner, getting more efficient means that we're going to continue to rely on a lot of participation of our members," Hanson said.

Hanson specializes in leasing and sales of industrial properties primarily in the northeast metro. He joined Cushman & Wakefield/NorthMarq in 1997 after working at another real estate company and a commercial real estate developer. He has a degree in business and marketing from St. Cloud State University.

A: To be truly effective you need to be connected and have strong relationships within this small core group of people who are getting things done. That's our strength as a market, that's traditionally been our strength as a brokerage community.

Q: How has the industry changed in your time in it?

A: There was a general stereotype of a commercial real estate broker as a Type A, hard-charging, driven kind of individual. As the industry has matured it's opened the door for a wider range of personalities who can still be successful. There are more women in the industry, there's more diversity although that's another thing that as a whole we have to work on over time.

Q: What's the key to success for a commercial real estate broker?

A: People who enjoy this business — and typically if you enjoy it you are successful — enjoy a competitive environment, are strongly self-motivated, have an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoy the sales process and working with people. They want to do well and want to be in charge of their own destiny as much as possible.