Thor names COO of North America – exclusive

Thor Equities has promoted Melissa Gliatta to chief operating officer of Thor Equities North America, its largest business. The role is a newly created position at the firm, the only such role among Thor’s six platforms.

In her new role, Gliatta will work closely with Thor chief executive Joseph Sitt to expand the company’s business activities throughout North America. The expansion plan will include making key hires in the company’s operations, leasing, development and management divisions, as well as opening new offices in North America, where the company currently has locations in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Miami.

Gliatta’s other responsibilities as COO will include overseeing asset management, leasing, human resources, development and construction, as well as marketing and property management.

“Melissa has been an integral part of our company for over two decades,” said Sitt. “Her strong leadership and operational skills have enabled us to attract a team of dedicated and experienced professionals, and help grow Thor into a full-service firm with offices throughout the United States, Europe and Latin America.”

Gliatta first began working with Sitt in 1995, when she joined Ashley Stewart – the women’s clothing retailer that the latter founded in 1991 – as director of human resources. In that post, she helped to expand the chain to 380 stores in more than 100 cities. After Sitt divested his interest in Ashley Stewart to focus exclusively on Thor Equities, Gliatta became a vice president of Thor in 2003, focusing on operations and management of the firm’s commercial real estate portfolios. She was promoted to executive vice president in 2010.

Thor’s properties in North America are located in major markets such as New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Houston and Montreal. Thor Equities North America is one of six companies under the Thor Equities umbrella, as well as Thor Equities Europe, Thor Equities Residential, Thor Retail Advisors, Thor Urbana Capital and Town Residential.