The New Jersey office of Duke Realty (NYSE: DRE), a leader in sustainable industrial real estate development and the largest domestic-only logistics REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust), has hired Mikki Columbus as vice president of leasing and development in New Jersey. In her role working alongside Ben Rosen, Duke Realty’s vice president of leasing and development in New Jersey. Columbus will focus on growing the company’s portfolio in New Jersey and New York City through new development and leasing. She will be responsible for identifying new development opportunities, executing land acquisitions and managing all aspects of leasing the properties in her region.

“As demand remains at all-time highs for industrial space especially in markets with proximity to active ports, Duke Realty is committed to growing our 9.6 million-square-foot portfolio in New Jersey. To do that, we must expand our team with experienced associates that have a reputation for driving profitable results in the industry,” said Art Makris, president of Duke Realty’s Northeast region. “Mikki has the reputation and a proven track record for identifying development opportunities and closing deals. She is a much-needed and very welcome addition to the New Jersey team.”

Prior to joining Duke Realty, Columbus grew her career over the last seven years in various roles at The Rockefeller Group, most recently serving as director of real estate development. In that role, she was responsible for evaluating new development opportunities in New York and New Jersey focused on larger deals worth $25 million to $250 million —negotiating all aspects of purchase and sale contracts, overseeing analysis, conducting due diligence and managing the entitlement process. Before The Rockefeller Group, Columbus worked for the non-profit development organization, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, as a director of real estate and economic development. She performed feasibility studies, due diligence and contract negotiations on a $300 million, 1-million-square-foot mixed-use development. Columbus started her career in the financial side of commercial real estate working at HSBC Amanah, a global asset management platform. She earned her undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University and her Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School. She has a certificate in real estate from NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate.

About Duke Realty

Duke Realty owns and operates approximately 164.9 million rentable square feet of industrial assets in 19 major U.S. logistics markets. Duke Realty Corporation is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol DRE and is a component of the S&P 500. More information about Duke Realty is available at www.dukerealty.com. Duke Realty also can be followed on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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