About Us

The value of commercial real estate can’t be measured in dollars and cents alone. Beyond its investment potential, it has the power to shape communities in profoundly positive ways. Getting the most out of commercial real estate, however, requires vision and guidance you can trust. At Intersection, that’s what we provide.

We’re driven by the knowledge that the value of our services ultimately boils down to trust. We’re driven to enrich the lives of those we serve and enhance the communities where we live and work. And on every front—from investments to brokerage to property management—we’re driven to do what is right (even when no one is looking). At Intersection, we are Driven by Integrity.

Core Values

Equality

We believe that everyone deserves to compete on a level playing field.

Ingenuity

We are smart enough to know that the best solution isn’t always the most obvious one.

Determination

We are passionately committed to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of our goals.

Collaboration

We inspire our fellow team members and work collectively in the pursuit of excellence.

Wisdom

We are keepers of valuable industry knowledge and purveyors of practical insight.

Stewardship

We are steadfast in our commitment to protect the financial security of those we serve.

Team

FILTER RESULTS

Rocco Cortese
CEO/Co-founder
Mark Hoekstra
President/Co-founder
Karen Joy
Executive Director
Nick Cardoso
Director of Field Operations
Nadir Elfarra
Director of Construction Management
Jay Arnett
Senior Director
Natalie Baylon
Marketing Manager
Willie Blocker
Director
Eric Caballero
Associate
Kyle Clark
Senior Director
Eric DeWees
Senior Director
Alma Espejel
Property Accountant
MJ Fagan
Associate
Dan Gagon
Real Estate Manager
Steve Gildred
Senior Associate
Cody Holt
Chief Engineer
Robert Kerr
Senior Director, CCIM, AACI
Dan McCarthy
Senior Director
Tara Moore
Asset Manager
Dave Mortimer
Engineer
Anton Myskiw
Senior Associate
Ethan Okazaki
Analyst
Scott Orr
Project Manager
Colin Pancrazi
Associate
Sean Rafford
Assistant Real Estate Manager
Carolina Rivas
Property Administrator
Jonathan Schoch
Controller
Nicole Murphy-Schuck
Senior Real Estate Manager
Alec Spencer
Senior Associate
Ray Weamer
Senior Director
Nate White
Director
Doug Zabriskie
Engineer

Rocco Cortese

CEO/Co-founder

Rocco Cortese, CEO/Co-Founder of Intersection, formulates, guides and maintains the company’s strategic plan, which determines its overall direction and profitability.

Rocco has been an active California real estate broker since 1987. His 35 years of experience in the industry have enabled him to navigate through the ever-changing cycles of commercial real estate and establish strong relationships with private and institutional clients.

Rocco’s commitment to continuous improvement has led him to leadership roles in Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), serving in numerous board positions and culminating in his role as President of the San Diego Chapter in the 2021/2022 fiscal year. Today he continues his service sitting on the global leadership committee for EO.

An avid Bay Area sports fan, he’s waiting patiently for another 49er Super Bowl. He is a self-described learning junkie reading books and listening to numerous podcasts about leadership and business strategies. He spends the rest of the time keeping up with his 3 children and donating time as a mentor to young entrepreneurs and college students.

He graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Business Administration.

DRE Lic. #00969957
San Diego State University
P (415) 310-1450

Mark Hoekstra

President/Co-founder

As President/Co-Founder at Intersection, Mark Hoekstra is responsible for executing the long-term plan of the organization by formulating short strategies and overseeing daily business operations. Mark has more than 35 years in commercial real estate and an intimate, working knowledge of all facets of the industry. An effective communicator and leader, he ensures that his clients and team regularly set new standards of excellence within the Intersection CRE portfolio.

Mark shares a commitment to learning and growth as he is actively involved in several commercial real estate associations and philanthropic efforts. He has served as Past President of both the USD Alumni Association and the Escondido Sunrise Rotary Club. He also serves as a member of USD’s Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate – Commercial Real Estate Committee and is a past director of the San Diego County Commercial Association of Realtors and Center City Advisory Committee (CCAC).

Most recently Mark earned his Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership from his alma mater, the University of San Diego, where he earned undergraduate degree in Business Administration.

DRE Lic. #00950923
University of San Diego
P (619) 819-6114
M (858) 254-0690

Karen Joy

Executive Director

With more than a decade of experience in Operations, Sales, and Business Development with a demonstrated history of success at scaling large enterprises. Karen comes to Intersection bringing skills in Leadership, Operational Planning, Sales Enablement Mastery, Training, Marketing Communications Planning, and Staff Development/ Coaching. With her highly strategic, results-driven, and people-first approach, Karen is an invaluable asset to the Intersection team. In her spare time, Karen enjoys practicing meditation, traveling, and exploring new spots in town with her husband.

P (619) 239-1788

Nick Cardoso

Director of Field Operations

Nick is a highly skilled electrician with over fifteen years of commercial experience, making him a valuable asset in the field. Holding a current California Electrical Certification and C10 Contractors License, Nick demonstrates expertise in his trade, ensuring quality and compliance in every project he undertakes. His construction background extends beyond his electrical specialization, encompassing various aspects such as roofing and foundation repairs.

Throughout his career, Nick has held positions as a superintendent and project manager, successfully managing multiple construction projects simultaneously. His responsibilities include estimating project costs, preparing proposals, and assisting with billing procedures. Additionally, he takes the lead in training and recruiting new talent, ensuring a skilled workforce. Furthermore, Nick excels in efficiently scheduling jobs and coordinating crews, optimizing project timelines and resources.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Nick finds enjoyment in outdoor activities, particularly kayaking with his daughter and exploring local wineries in North County with his wife.

P 619-636-9166
M 619-239-1788

Nadir Elfarra

Director of Construction Management

Nadir oversees all construction and development activity including both ground-up and adaptive reuse projects for Intersection. His construction management experience includes over 3 million square feet of new ground-up construction, over half a million square feet of tenant improvements, and full redevelopment of both office and hotel properties, primarily in California. His acquisition due-diligence and entitlement experience spans most property types including industrial, commercial, office, multifamily, and hospitality. Nadir’s development experience includes obtaining entitlements at all levels, up to and including full environmental impact reports and parcel map creation.

University of Southern California

Jay Arnett

Senior Director

Jay brings more than 45 years of experience to Intersection’s brokerage division, specializing in commercial brokerage tenant representation and investment sales. His extensive market knowledge enables him to identify sound sales and leasing opportunities that are both value-enhancing and strategic investments. Jay is certified with the prestigious SIOR Designation representing the highest level of knowledge and ethics in the industry. Outside of work, he is an active member of the local Rotary Club and enjoys vacationing abroad.

DRE Lic. #00482177
University of California - Santa Barbara
P (619) 541-8711
M (619) 889-5710

Natalie Baylon

Marketing Manager

Natalie is a seasoned marketing professional with over nine years of experience. Her expertise lies in providing comprehensive support to both brokerage and investment divisions, leveraging her skills in creating impactful marketing materials, executing successful email campaigns, and developing effective social media strategies.

In addition to her contributions to the brokerage and investment teams, Natalie plays a pivotal role in corporate marketing, where she leads strategic initiatives to align with company business objectives. In 2018, Natalie showcased her project management skills by spearheading the successful launch of the Intersection brand.

Outside of work, Natalie embraces her passions for travel, gardening, and spending quality time with her husband and their two beloved dogs.

DRE Lic. #02048243

Willie Blocker

Director

With more than 32 years of experience in the real estate industry, Willie first worked on the residential side of the business, switching to commercial in 1986. He has been directly involved in the acquisition, management, operation and leasing of residential, industrial, retail and Class A office properties across the country. Now, Willie brings his expertise to the Intersection Utah team as the Director, managing the overall operations of the office. In his free-time, Willie sits on the board of directors for a non-profit orphanage in Africa. He has a passion for travel and loves to encourage others to explore the world.

DRE Lic. #5452141-PB00
Brigham Young University
P 801-932-6122
M 801-301-7780

Eric Caballero

Associate

San Diego State University Alumni, Eric Caballero has a combined 15 years in sales and marketing within the specialty wine and spirits industry. Previously, Eric managed on-premise distribution teams for major San Diego restauranteurs to build and scale their businesses. Utilizing his sales experience, Eric transitioned sectors and ventured into commercial real estate. With 5 years in multi-family leasing and experience in managing light industrial and retail, Eric is a versatile asset to Intersection’s brokerage team. Outside of work, Eric is a devoted dad to three children and enjoys coaching their youth baseball and basketball teams.

DRE Lic. #02118253
San Diego State University
P 619.239.1788
M 858.337.0135

Kyle Clark

Senior Director

During his 30-plus-year career, Kyle has completed more than $500 million in real estate sales. He continues to list an extensive portfolio of San Diego commercial properties at Intersection. Kyle engages in all aspects of commercial brokerage at the firm, representing landlords and tenants alike. A prolific sailor, he has participated in yacht races to Mexico, Hawaii, Bermuda, the Great Lakes, and more.

DRE Lic. #00867784
San Diego State University
P 619-577-4558
M 619-997-.9537

Eric DeWees

Senior Director

Eric brings more than 12 years of institutional commercial real estate experience to the Intersection platform, spanning acquisitions, development, capital raising, and investment banking. Throughout his career, he has completed over $1.4 billion of real estate transactions and he maintains broad expertise across asset classes, geographies, and risk/return profiles. As Senior Director, Eric oversees the day-to-day operations of the investment management team along with sourcing and structuring new investment opportunities for the company. Eric is an alumnus of both Ohio State University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Outside of the office, Eric enjoys running, traveling, and spending time outdoors.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
P 619.659.7675

Alma Espejel

Property Accountant

Alma handles the day-to-day financial duties across the portfolio at Intersection. She is an integral part of the Accounting Department and helps to ensure real estate services runs smoothly. Alma enjoys the outdoors and is passionate about serving in her community. She also likes traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family.

Mesa College San Diego
P 619-503-3989

MJ Fagan

Associate

MJ comes to Intersection from a career in digital marketing. She joins a power-house team of Industrial commercial real estate experts who specialize in the North County, San Diego market.

MJ brings a unique understanding of the legal system, graduating in 2019 with her Master’s in the Study of Law from the University of Georgia School of Law. She is motivated and looks forward to focusing on tenant representation in North County Industrial deals. She has experience working directly with business owners to fulfill their needs and visions for their companies.

She was an NCAA DI National Champion and 3X All American in track and field, so she is always prepared to embrace challenges and places value on focus, attention to detail, and performance. Since hanging up her track spikes, she spends her free time catching waves over at Tourmaline Surf Park and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs football team.

DRE Lic. #02206811
University of Georgia
P 619-719-5696

Dan Gagon

Real Estate Manager

Dan is the property manager for Intersection Utah, managing the day-to-day operations of several office buildings consisting of 17+ tenants at any given time. Prior to working at Intersection, Dan has worked in various assistant property manager roles, holds experience in carpentry, and has supervised a variety of building construction projects. Outside of work, Dan explores his love for the culinary arts, enjoys biking, and spending time at the theater with his family.

DRE Lic. #5487634-AB00
P 801-822-2741
M 801-932-6126

Steve Gildred

Senior Associate

Steve graduated with a B.S. in International Relations from Stanford University and is currently attending Burnham-Moores School of Real Estate at USD. In addition to sourcing potential investment opportunities and creating investment memorandums, Steve assists the Brokerage team with various special projects. When he’s not at work or school, Steve enjoys golfing, hiking and cheering on his alma mater’s football team.

DRE Lic. #02090734
Stanford University
P 619-541-8355
M 858-395-2121

Cody Holt

Chief Engineer

Cody graduated college with an emphasis in HVAC. With 12 years of experience ranging from assistant engineer to chief engineer and many certifications in between, Cody brings well rounded experience to the team and is always encouraging others to go above and beyond expectation. Cody grew up a farmer and holds true to that lifestyle today. He participates in local stock shows and helps his children show their sheep.

P 801-932-6124

Robert Kerr

Senior Director, CCIM, AACI

Robert has more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience, both in brokerage and appraisal capacities. His broad expertise offers valuable insight on both property acquisition and disposition as well as investment sales, including NNN, retail, industrial, and multi-family. Robert and his wife Collette have three college-graduated and active children and enjoy their family time watching and participating in sports and hiking.

DRE Lic. #01402162
University of Alberta
P 619-369-2400
M 858-354-5722

Dan McCarthy

Senior Director

With more than 35 years dedicated to San Diego County’s Commercial Real Estate landscape, Dan McCarthy boasts a wealth of experience. His journey began at Burnham Real Estate, where he navigated through their merger with Cushman & Wakefield before spearheading the brokerage services group at Intersection.

Throughout his career, Dan has delved into various commercial real estate product types and submarkets across San Diego County. His forte lies in midrise and high-rise office brokerage, catering specifically to office, technical, and medical office tenants.

Having facilitated over 1,000 transactions, valued at an impressive $2 billion, Dan McCarthy is renowned for crafting tailored solutions for clients’ needs. Whether orchestrating corporate relocations, expansions, dispositions, or facilities acquisitions, his expertise spans diverse sectors including office, healthcare, and R&D.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dan enjoys leading the local San Diego band “Phil N The Blanks” and is a familiar face at SDSU tailgates.

EXPERTISE:
  • Tenant representation involving office and medical office properties.
  • Agency representation for office, medical office and retail properties
  • Leasing / build-to-suit / strategic planning / portfolio management

EDUCATION & AFFILIATIONS: 
  • Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California Irvine with NCAA tennis affiliation
  • University of San Diego – CRE committee, Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate
  • Burnham Foundation

AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
DRE Lic. #00928868
University of California Irvine
P 619-577-4557
M 619-261-3687

Tara Moore

Asset Manager

Tara is a highly skilled Asset Manager, having joined the company as an intern in 2019. With a sharp logical mindset and meticulous attention to detail, Tara plays a crucial role in executing business plans, optimizing operational performance for properties, and managing compliance effectively. This includes providing quarterly updates to property proformas, ensuring seamless equity contributions and distributions, and overseeing investor relations correspondence.

Tara graduated from California State University San Marcos with a degree in Finance, enhancing her ability to analyze complex financial data and make informed investment decisions. She finds joy in conducting market research on new projects, ensuring Intersection stays ahead of the curve in identifying lucrative investment opportunities.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Tara thrives on staying active and engaging in outdoor activities. Whether it’s hiking through scenic trails, playing tennis, or enjoying a game of pickleball, she embraces an active lifestyle.

California State University San Marcos

Dave Mortimer

Engineer

Dave brings vast knowledge to the Intersection Utah team as a facilities technician. Prior to joining Intersection, Dave has worked as a carpenter which led to a career in construction, specializing in plumbing and HVAC. He takes pride in his work, is very responsive and driven by integrity. In his spare time, Dave rides motorcycle and enjoys going wherever the road takes him.

Anton Myskiw

Senior Associate

Anton Myskiw is a distinguished member of Intersection’s Investment Management team, having joined the company in 2018 as an Analyst. His strong understanding of portfolio and property-level valuation, as well as debt and equity markets, put a spotlight on him early in his tenure.

As part of his multifaceted role, Anton is pivotal in finding potential acquisition opportunities for Intersection’s esteemed investor base, which includes private clientele and joint venture partners. In addition, he takes charge of creating comprehensive business plans for these acquisitions, ensuring a strategic and well-informed approach to each investment decision. He leads the due diligence process, ensuring all pursuits align with the company’s long-term objectives.

EXPERTISE:
  • Sourcing industrial acquisition opportunities across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Colorado
  • Building broker relationships to source off-market opportunities and relaying those same opportunities to a set of institutional and private capital sources
  • Supporting the execution of proposed business plans, particularly lease negotiations and capital allocation

EDUCATION & AFFILIATIONS: 
  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of San Diego
  • Master’s degree in finance from Villanova University
  • University of San Diego’s real estate mentorship program

AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Villanova University
P (619)340-0977
M (602)803-6922

Ethan Okazaki

Analyst

Ethan is a dedicated Analyst who plays a vital role in supporting the investment management team at Intersection. With an eye for opportunities, Ethan excels in sourcing new acquisitions and conducting comprehensive due diligence. His expertise in financial modeling and reporting adds significant value to the team’s decision-making processes.

Prior to his current role, Ethan demonstrated his commitment and enthusiasm as an intern on the investment management team throughout his senior year of college. He graduated Cum Laude from San Diego State University, where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a focus on Real Estate.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Ethan finds joy in staying active outdoors, passionately supporting the Padres, and cherishing quality time with his friends and family.

San Diego State University

Scott Orr

Project Manager

An electrician by trade, Scott brings light to his team and encourages others to do the best job possible. In previous roles, Scott worked as head electrician and assistant chief engineer and now oversees numerous projects as a licensed electrician and project manager. Scott enjoys long motorcycle trips and traveling with his wife. He is also an avid golfer and skier depending on the season.

P 801-932-6120
M 801-319-7418

Colin Pancrazi

Associate

Colin began his career at A.T. Pancrazi Real Estate Services, where he initially served as an Operations Specialist, leading marketing strategies and overseeing business operations. In 2018, he transitioned to an Associate Agent role, showcasing his talent for providing expert market analysis, lease negotiations, documentation, and abstraction in his hometown of Yuma, Arizona. Colin’s professional experience also includes assisting clients in acquisitions, conducting due diligence, navigating rezoning process, and project management.

He holds a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in economy and industry from the University of Arizona (2017) and earned his Master of Science in Real Estate from the University of San Diego in 2022. His commitment to professional development is further underscored by his active membership in the USD Real Estate Alumni community.

In addition to his professional and educational achievements, he is an engaged member of several industry associations including the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), National Association for Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) Developing Leaders, Urban Land Institute (ULI) Young Leaders Group. Based in Pacific Beach, Colin enjoys being active, golfing, and traveling around the world.

DRE Lic. #02200608
University of San Diego

Sean Rafford

Assistant Real Estate Manager

As Assistant Real Estate Manager, Sean oversees day-to-day operations of properties within Intersection’s diverse portfolio, helping to ensure the responsiveness that’s central to our philosophy. He’s responsible for both the fiscal and physical management of each property. He works firsthand to maintains client/tenant/owner relations and conducts regular on-site inspections.

Sean is a senior at the University of San Diego, studying finance and real estate. In his free time, he enjoys discovering new cuisines, staying active through swimming and playing golf and relaxing watching baseball.

University of San Diego
P 619-481-0378

Carolina Rivas

Property Administrator

Carolina recently graduated from University of San Diego with her Master’s in Business Administration. During her collegiate years, she worked as an Assistant Property Manager for a local firm in San Diego county. At Intersection, Carolina assists real estate managers with the day-to-day management of client portfolios. She is fluent in both English and Spanish, and outside of work she enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and holds her teaching certification in Pilates.

Tecnológico de Monterrey, University of San Diego
P 619-452-3494

Jonathan Schoch

Controller

Jonathan excels at handling day-to-day financial duties for Intersection. Previously, he was a property accountant at Realty Income, where he managed monthly accruals for their portfolio as well as reconciliations of several other accounts. Over the past 5-plus years, Jonathan has run financials for investors, processed year-end financial packets for auditors, and performed technical accounting work. Jonathan is also a San Diego State graduate, go Aztecs! Born and raised in northern California he is an avid Giants and 49ers fan. He enjoys playing basketball, golf, and spending time with his family.

San Diego State University
P 619.239.1734

Nicole Murphy-Schuck

Senior Real Estate Manager

Nicole has been an emerging leader in San Diego’s commercial property management for the last decade. Her previous roles enabled her to work with a diverse portfolio of everything from small industrial parks to Class-A office buildings with over 1-million-square feet of portfolio space. Her active leadership with BOMA San Diego has helped her create strong relationships within the industry and community.  She spends her free time jewelry making and going on outdoor adventures with her dog.

DRE Lic. #01947263
P 619.541.8288

Alec Spencer

Senior Associate

Alec is a dedicated professional who brings a wealth of experience in the commercial real estate industry. After spending four years as an Associate at St. Croix Capital Realty Advisors in Austin, Texas, Alec established himself as an expert in tenant and landlord representation for a diverse range of commercial properties. Throughout his tenure at St. Croix Capital Realty Advisors, Alec collaborated closely with local and national landlords, representing a remarkable portfolio of 14 buildings totaling 288,866 square feet across Austin and San Antonio.

Alec earned his Business Administration degree from the University of La Verne in 2017. In early 2021, Alec returned to his hometown of San Diego and now spearheads the representation of eight buildings spanning 206,230 square feet throughout the county. His primary focus lies in landlord representation, while also contributing his expertise to building Intersection’s Tenant Rep practice.

Alec is an avid golfer who frequently participates in amateur golf tournaments. He has had the privilege of caddying for professional golfers across various tours, and Alec serves as the assistant coach for the golf team at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

DRE License #02140776
University of La Verne
P 858-354-0577

Ray Weamer

Senior Director

Ray is an industry veteran with over 40 years’ experience in the commercial real estate industry. Ray began his career in brokerage at John Burnham & Company, later joining McKellar Development of La Jolla, in the development of commercial properties, eventually leading him to the banking industry where he specialized in helping is clients secure financing through the Small Business Administration for nearly 29 years. During this time, Ray worked closely with brokers, CPA’s and relationship managers within similar fields with whom he has formed strong professional relationships.

Ray earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Real Estate from San Diego State University. He has been on the Board of the San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Office and Industrial Properties for eight years and was voted by his peers a “Top Finance Influential” by the San Diego Daily Transcript.

DRE Lic. #00559414
San Diego State University
P 619.819.6114

Nate White

Director

Nate has been an active commercial real estate broker since 2007.  After graduating from the University of San Diego, Nate returned to his hometown of Seattle to begin his real estate career. Ultimately, he couldn’t resist and returned to San Diego with his wife and family, planting strong roots in the San Diego community.

Nate specializes in Tenant Representation and Investment Sales. With nearly 1,000 real estate transactions, spanning from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, Nate is a seasoned broker with a wide range of experience and depth.  Nate is dedicated to helping companies implement real estate to maximize business objectives, cultivate positive company culture, and cater to the community.

DRE Lic. #02108142
University of San Diego
P 619-880-4650
M 206-240-1060

Doug Zabriskie

Engineer

Doug is very knowledgeable in the construction industry, with over 20 years of experience as a B100 general contractor. In addition to his independent projects, he worked maintenance for the Low-Income Housing Authority. Doug has earned his title of “Jack-of-all-trades” managing numerous tasks as a facilities technician. Outside of work, he’s an outdoorsman who enjoys everything Utah’s landscape has to offer, especially if he gets to ride in his side-by-side.

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