Direct Devolopment

At Direct Development, Beth serves as Vice President of Property Management Services and is responsible for all property management related activities on Direct Development projects.   She has the responsibility for a portfolio of retail centers totaling more than two million square feet. This includes all daily matters related to tenant services, maintenance and repairs of each property’s needs.

Prior to joining Direct Development, Beth worked eleven years at Weitzman as Senior Property Manager with a Mentor team of three property managers and another prior eight years at Henry S. Miller as Regional Property Manager with direct supervision of five managers and supporting staff.

Beth attended The Ohio State University and has designations of ACoM from IREM and CSM from ICSC. Beth is an active member of both IREM and ICSC and has an active Real Estate Sales Persons license from the State of Texas.

Bruce Sifford is President and Chief Operating Officer of Direct Development with responsibility for the operation of the development, construction and management of over 3 million square feet of retail space in the Texas and Oklahoma area. Prior to joining Direct Development, Bruce spent 18 years as a managing principal of Centre Development Company developing office, industrial, land and apartments. He was directly responsible for over 5 million square feet of properties in numerous geographic areas. Bruce was also an operating partner in Travis Holdings, LLC, a commercial real estate development and acquisition firm operating commercial properties in Texas.

He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

Cheryl supports and shares in project leasing of Direct Development’s asset as well as those of other strategic partners. As the Executive Administrative Assistant and Office Administrator for Direct Development, Cheryl is responsible for the day to day operations of David Watson, the Managing Principal of Direct Development. Additionally, Cheryl manages all Human Resource functions, including payroll, the oversight of the website, marketing and ICSC Annual Conferences, and serves as the point person for all daily office operations.

Prior to joining Direct Development, she worked in the banking industry for 18 years with experience in Human Resource Management for two branches, manager of a commercial and personal loan department and was the Assistant to the Bank President. Cheryl is an active member of ICSC.

Chris is the Vice President of Development and Leasing Services where he is responsible for the oversight of all new and existing development from acquisition to disposition as well as project leasing of Direct Development’s assets and those of other strategic partners.

Prior to joining Direct Development he interned in both the summer of 2013 and spring of 2015. Chris is a Dallas native and received his Master of Science in Management from Southern Methodist University where he was a wide-receiver on the football team. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Duke University where he was a defenseman on the lacrosse team. He is an active member of ICSC, is on the retail product council for ULI, and participates as a Trustee of the Halo Group.

Bruce Sifford is President and Chief Operating Officer of Direct Development with responsibility for the operation of the development, construction and management of over 3 million square feet of retail space in the Texas and Oklahoma area. Prior to joining Direct Development, Bruce spent 18 years as a managing principal of Centre Development Company developing office, industrial, land and apartments. He was directly responsible for over 5 million square feet of properties in numerous geographic areas. Bruce was also an operating partner in Travis Holdings, LLC, a commercial real estate development and acquisition firm operating commercial properties in Texas.

He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

Brenda Blake is the Chief Financial Officer for Direct Development, bringing over 27 years experience in financial management, operational leadership and profitability enhancement.  Prior to joining Direct Development, Brenda served as Chief Financial Officer with Crow Finance and Realty as well as McCaslin Development where she was responsible for financial analysis, investor/lender relations, and asset management.  In addition to 12 years of experience in real estate development, Brenda’s experience also includes 5 years in the audit department of KPMG (formerly Peat Marwick Mitchell and Co.).

Brenda received her Bachelors in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Brenda is a nationally known author and has received several professional awards and honors, including the Accounting Excellence Award (TSCPA Educational Foundation) and was selected as one of the recipients of the CPA of the Year Award (TSCPA Fort Worth Chapter).  Brenda is an active member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) and is on the CREW in the Community board effective May 2010 and REFEA (Real Estate Financial Executives Association).

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