CBRE|Martin and CBRE|Grand Rapids (CBRE) announces Benjamin A. Bakken as their new Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer. Ben Bakken brings to CBRE over ten years of corporate banking experience, handling a high-concentration of commercial real estate financing. In a prior role, he served for over three years as Chief Financial Officer with a global wholesale/retail company headquartered in Michigan. 
Ben's most recent position was as Vice President, Commercial Banking at Mercantile Bank in Lansing, MI.

"Ben is held in high-regard in the Greater Lansing-area," said Van W. Martin, CCIM, SIOR, CRE. "His dedication to community and his knowledge of business development heightens our capabilities, in both Lansing and Grand Rapids. Ben's character and leadership style strengthens our team from day one."

Ben is active in the Lansing-area and his dedication to community is embodied through his service on several area board positions, including Treasurer for the Holt Public Schools Board of Education and Vice-Chair of the Lansing Financial Health Team. He also serves as an organizer of the 5-Minutes-Tops contest, a "Shark Tank"-like program that allows students from area schools to make business pitches to potential local investors. In addition, he is an eleven-year participant of the Special Olympics Polar Plunge, having consistently been the event's top fundraiser.

Ben and his wife, Rachel, live in Dimondale with their three children Clara, Jack, and Henry.

Learn more about Ben Bakken by visiting cbrelansing.com.