The DRE/Synergy alliance operates its brokerage services from Syergy's office in Boca Raton, Florida.

BOCA RATON, FLORIDA:  Gerald Divaris, chairman/CEO of Divaris Real Estate, Inc., along with Barry Ruzat and Melody Dowd, partners of Synergy Retail Group, announced the formation of a strategic alliance between their firms to provide brokerage and property management services in South Florida. 

The alliance operates its South Florida brokerage services, under the direction of Melody Dowd, from Synergy's office in Boca Raton.  Tracey Farley operates the property management group from Divaris' office in Hollywood, Florida.

Synergy was established in 1997 in Boca Raton, focusing on both retail tenant and landlord representation of shopping centers in Palm Beach, Broward and Dade Counties.  Synergy is a proven leader in tenant representation, project leasing and market research in the retail real estate industry.   Synergy's tenant representation clients include tenants such as Borders Books & Music, Muvico Theaters, Men's Wearhouse, Old Navy, GAP, Toys "R" Us, and others.

"Divaris Real Estate and Synergy Retail Group have operated with a similar hands-on approach to their assignments.  As such we determined that this alliance is the best way to service our respective clients in South Florida," says Divaris.  "Moreover, this relationship will provide a platform for the two companies to secure new national, regional and local tenant representation accounts through utilizing the resources, expertise, and capabilities of the two companies." 

Synergy combines some of the most talented and experienced retail tenant representatives with the latest technological advances in computer-generated analytical tools in order to assist the retailer or developer in formulating and supporting real estate decisions.

Barry Ruzat, who was responsible for guiding the retail growth of Office Depot from 10 stores to over 550 in an eight-year period, started Synergy Retail Group with Lenne Ruzat, who now heads the market research department of Synergy.   The original market research consulting business was also the exclusive national real estate consultant for Gateway Computers, spearheading the initial roll out of Gateway Country stores.  To date, Synergy has opened 40 Gateway stores and finalized 35 additional leases for locations spanning the United States. 

Dowd joined Synergy Retail Group as a partner in 1999, leaving a position as senior vice president of Trammell Crow Company in Boca Raton.  During her three years at Trammell Crow, Dowd was responsible for building and leading the retail department for South Florida.   She represented such clients as Borders Books & Music, Noodle Kidoodle, Men's Wearhouse, Toys "R" Us, and Old Navy.   Melody also consults with developers on new or troubled projects and assists them in creating appropriate site layouts and tenant mixes.  Additionally, she has handled dispositions of properties for  Lurias, Barnes & Noble, Blockbuster Music and PetsMart. 

Also from Trammell Crow is Synergy leasing specialist, Lisa Witcher.   As marketing representative with Trammell Crow's South Florida retail division, Witcher gained a thorough knowledge of the region's retail submarkets.  She worked on behalf of property owners and represented tenants such as Vanishing Point and Hollywood Video. 

Denise Leyendecker is also a tenant representative and leasing specialist with Synergy Retail Group.   Prior to joining the company, Leyendecker was director of leasing for Denholtz Associates specializing in ground-up project leasing for shops located in the West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach and Jupiter areas of South Florida.  She represented such clients as Wellesley Inn, Blockbuster Video and Kindercare.

Bringing additional retail-insider experience to Synergy is Steve Friedman, former director of real estate for Hollywood Video.   In that capacity, he oversaw all strategic planning, implementation, acquisition and development for over 70 Hollywood Video stores in Florida.  His experience in managing the construction and architectural process is invaluable in his new position as development specialist of Synergy Retail Group.    Prior to Hollywood Video, Friedman spent eight years with CB Commercial in South Florida as senior retail broker representing regional and national retail tenants.   He has also held the position of senior manager in the consulting department of KPMG Peat Marwick.

"DRE's strength in retail property management in Florida complements the expertise of Synergy's incredibly strong staff of leasing and tenant representatives," Divaris notes.  "We have every reason to expect this to be a highly successful affiliation."

Divaris Property Management Corp's portfolio in South Florida includes The Fountains at Miramar (320,000 square feet), Lauderdale Lakes Mall (256,000 square feet), The Shops at Cresthaven (200,000 square feet), Atlantis Plaza (180,000 square feet), and Dolphin Plaza (96,000 square feet).