CAREER SUMMARY

John’s career began in computer sales and software development during the evolving computer industry of the 1970s and 80s.  As an entrepreneur John founded computer service bureaus and dealerships in Roswell, Hobbs and Albuquerque.  Selling and installing computer accounting and productivity systems in a wide variety of businesses gave John an excellent background in the inner workings of a number of different industries. 

Concurrently with his early computer career John has been active in real estate development and investment from 1970 through today.  As a real estate owner, John has experience in the development and renovations of shopping centers, office buildings and residential properties in a variety of real estate markets. 

In 1990, John Hamilton and John Lewinger founded Lewinger Hamilton, Inc. as a fledgling real estate company in a very down real estate market.  On the principals of integrity and hard work, John and John grew the company to the largest commercial real estate and property management firm in New Mexico.  Using his experience from the computer industry, John helped design and implement the latest in computer technology, business systems and market research to provide the company’s real estate brokers with the tools necessary to meet their client’s expectations.  In 2004, Grubb & Ellis | Lewinger Hamilton merged with First Commercial Real Estate to form Grubb & Ellis | New Mexico. 

John has retired from his day to day activities at the real estate company but still serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Grubb & Ellis | New Mexico.  John provides assistance in strategic planning and oversight of the company’s activities. John’s vision continues to mark the course for the evolution of the company to meet the changing needs of our real estate customers. 

John’s retirement from operational activities at Grubb & Ellis has allowed him to pursue development and renovations of commercial real estate properties.  With help of his daughter, Jane Pilger,  John develops and renovates properties through their development entity, Newmore, LLC.  John’s development projects include the renovation of the office building at 2424 Louisiana Boulevard NE that is currently home to Grubb & Ellis | New Mexico and the development of sites for Staples, Office Depot and Ashley Furniture.  John’s retail projects at The !25 include The Shops @ 25, Mimi’s Café and Boston’s Gourmet Pizza.

EDUCATION & AWARDS

• Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee – B.A. in Economics & Business Administration
• University of Southern California, Los Angeles - M.S. in Systems Management.
• Captain, C-141 Instructor Pilot, United States Air Force, Viet Nam Conflict Era
• Licensed Real Estate Broker, State of New Mexico