Sperry Van Ness International Corporation Names Diane Danielson as Chief Platform Officer

May 1, 2012 - PRLog -- IRVINE, CALIF. (May 1, 2012) – Sperry Van Ness International Corporation, a franchisor for commercial real estate brokerages, today announced it has named Diane Danielson as the company's first chief platform officer. She will serve the organization in leadership, business development, and growth capacities. Danielson is a former attorney, accomplished speaker, published author, and widely recognized social media expert.

“Bringing Diane on board represents a big win for the company,” said Kevin Maggiacomo, chief executive officer and president of Sperry Van Ness International. “She will be an integral player in Sperry Van Ness International’s aggressive expansion program.”

Maggiacomo added that this expansion began in 2001 and has grown to more than 1,400 advisors and staff representing more than 150 markets today.

Most recently, Danielson was consulting for companies on growth strategies that integrate technology platforms with marketing and business development outreach. Past positions include serving as vice president of business development for corporate services and strategy at Spaulding & Slye/Colliers (now Jones Lang LaSalle) and, as head of marketing for Meredith & Grew/ONCOR (now Colliers International Boston). Danielson has also published several books – including The Savvy Gal’s Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do)?. She also founded the award-winning Downtown Women's Club national network. In 2006, she launched the first social network for businesswomen in the United States.

“The energy, innovation and culture of collaboration that exists at Sperry Van Ness is unique and forward-thinking,” says Danielson,  “This is why I’m excited to be joining the company in the position of chief platform officer, which is a culmination of my past experiences both within the commercial real estate industry and in building national networks.”

Over the past decade, Danielson has been featured in publications like the New York Times and Forbes; has been a regular contributor to the Boston Globe and Entrepreneur.com; and has been a speaker on leadership, networking and social media for companies including Johnson & Johnson, Amgen and EMC, as well as for organizations like NEHRA (New England Human Resources Association), NAIOP, IFMA and SMPS.  She holds a J.D. from Boston College Law School and a B.A. in English from Colgate University.

The Sperry Van Ness® Story  
The growth of the Sperry Van Ness organization is a story that originated in 1987 with two entrepreneurs that had a vision to create a commercial real estate system that put the clients’ interests first.  They set out with a mission to create unprecedented value for commercial advisors and their clients.  In 2001 Sperry Van Ness International Corporation was founded, and through its franchisees and licensees, operates one of the most recognizable commercial real estate brands according to the 2011 Lipsey Survey.  The Sperry Van Ness organization includes more than 150 locations in 38 states.  With headquarters in Irvine, Calif., the franchise operation’s independent business owners provide brokerage, tenant representation, consultation, asset management, property management, leasing, accelerated marketing and auction services.  Sperry Van Ness affiliates represent clients in billions of dollars annually in office, multifamily, retail, industrial, self-storage, hospitality and land transactions.  For more information, visit www.svn.com.