Staubach Division to Join Cresa Partners

Brokers at the Orange County branch of Staubach Co., the commercial real estate company founded by football legend Roger Staubach, are changing teams.

Staubach’s corporate services division in the Newport Beach office will become part of New York-based Cresa Partners next month, said Kevin Hayes, president and owner of Staubach Co. West.

With 21 brokers and five construction professionals, the Staubach office is the largest brokerage firm that specializes in office tenant representation in Orange County, said Hayes, who will hold the title of chairman of the board of Cresa’s Orange County office.

The parting with Dallas-based Staubach after 18 years with the firm is amicable, Hayes said.

He called the chairman and former Cowboy quarterback “a leader, mentor and friend” with whom he would continue to do business.

“We just have different visions of growth in Southern California,” said Hayes, who said he intended to expand the office.

Financial terms of the deal with Cresa were not disclosed, but under the agreement 12 brokers in the Newport Beach office will become equity-sharing partners in the firm.

Cresa has a branch in Los Angeles and a small office in Newport Beach. The Newport Beach office will be merged with Staubach’s former staff, said Cresa Los Angeles office President Jerry Porter, who is not related to wide receiver Jerry Porter of the Oakland Raiders.

Robert Chavez, president and chief executive of Staubach Los Angeles, said he had been told that there were “management differences” between Staubach and Hayes. “We’ll know more in February,” he said.

Staubach has an office with 18 brokers in West Los Angeles and recently hired broker Dan O’Neil from CB Richard Ellis to open a Staubach office downtown, Chavez said. Staubach’s brokerage division in Newport Beach that services the retail industry will stay with the firm.