NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - eTradeWire -- In a strategic move to position the firm for growth and to continue its mission of closing commercial real estate transactions while also serving the best interest of the community, Commercial Asset Partners (CAP) Realty has appointed economic development and electric utility veteran Danielle Ruiz, MEDP, as vice president.

Ruiz – who most recently served as director of economic development for Duke Energy Corporation – has over 20 years of economic development experience. Ruiz supported the recruitment and expansion of a number of companies to the 34-county Florida service territory during her nearly 11 years at Duke Energy. She also has held director and manager positions at the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation – now known as the Tampa Bay EDC – ConMed Corporation, Pinellas County Economic Development, and the State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, now known as CareerSource Florida.

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"Part of what Danielle brings to the table for our team is her executive level experience and leadership in various public, private companies and economic development organizations throughout the state," said Heidi Tuttle-Beisner, broker-owner at CAP Realty. "Her priorities align with mine, in that we want to see our communities grow and redevelop, and to really make a difference that goes beyond simply closing transactions. We expect Danielle to play a major role in the firm building on its history and moving us into the next chapter."

In her new role at CAP Realty, Ruiz will focus on commercial real estate brokerage services in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. However, with Ruiz's existing relationships in Polk, Marion, Levy, Sumter and Taylor counties, among others, the firm has opportunity to expand its service footprint.

Ruiz brings a wealth of land development, redevelopment and industrial expertise that compliments CAP Realty's proficiency in investments, retail, life sciences, healthcare and medical office real estate services.

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While at Duke Energy Corporation, Ruiz was involved in many significant deals impacting the greater Tampa Bay area. These included MiTek, an international building supply company, announcing plans in 2024 to open a new, $77.6 million, 480,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and warehouse in Zephyrhills, Fla.; Bauducco Foods, a Brazilian multinational company specializing in baked food products, purchasing 72 acres in Zephyrhills, in 2023 for a $200 million facility expected to create 600 new jobs; attracting Nucor, North America's largest steelmaker, to Polk County for its Frostproof steel mill, creating 250 jobs; and relocation of San Diego-based life sciences defense contractor Amaratek to Dunedin in 2023, creating dozens of high-paying local jobs.