Real estate firm wants more talk

Jeffrey Neal expects GVA Advantis' units to communicate more with one another to build business. When Jeffrey Neal brought in a dozen top executives from the various Southeast offices of GVA Advantis to the closing of his purchase of the company, many were shaking hands and introducing each other for the first time. That's exactly the type of thing Neal plans to change as he sets out an ambitious plan to grow and transform the company. The commercial real estate firm — which had its roots in Hampton Roads before growing through a series of acquisitions — is poised to make some big changes after its acquisition in June by a private equity group headed by Neal. New Chief Executive Officer Rich Pogue and Neal came to the Newport News and Norfolk offices Wednesday to meet employees. The firm — which has moved its headquarters to... [read full story]