With the upcoming September 2011 BRAC closure of Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Darlene joined the Authority in May 2010. She is responsible for all aspects of real estate development including marketing, leasing, sales and real and personal property management.
With over 20 years’ experience in real estate she has developed a rolodex that reads like a “who’s who” of the industry. She is generous in nature, genuine in her style, and appreciated for her practical approach in seeking opportunities and solving problems.
Prior to joining MILRA, she was principal of Hawksley Consulting and the ReCircle furniture donation charity which she still operates. Darlene is an accomplished property and asset manager, having worked with Bullock, Terrell & Mannelly for twelve years. Representing this full-service commercial real estate company, she worked throughout the Southeast in investment property acquisition, development, property management, disposition, and construction. By focusing on occupancy and operating costs, her portfolio consistently met or exceeded her owners’ expected return-on-investment.
Darlene earned her BBA in Real Estate from Georgia State University and was elected to serve on the Honorary Board of their Real Estate Department. She is a past president of the Real Estate Alumni Group, and is currently a director of the Georgia State Alumni Association serving on their Executive Committee. In 2010 she was awarded the Alumni Association Ambassador Award.
She is a past member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), having been a board member and co-chairman of Leadership CREW. She was presented the CREW Member-to-Member Business Connector Award in 2007. Her industry leadership was further recognized by being elected as 2011 President-Elect of the CoreNet Atlanta Chapter (Corporate Real Estate Network) board of directors. Darlene holds an Associate Broker’s license from the State of Georgia Real Estate Commission. Additionally as a past member of BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association), she has earned her Real Property Administrator designation.
Darlene is a passionate outdoorsman, camping and kayaking as often as possible. She is a member of the Georgia Canoe Association, Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeepers and other local and national paddling organizations. She is a volunteer with Rivers Alive doing regular clean-ups to keep our rivers free of trash. When any time remains, she enjoys spending it with family, cooking, reading or taking long walks. | 