Blackstone portfolio company EQ Office just named firm veteran Britton Derkac to the newly created role of senior vice president and national head of leasing.

The creation of what’s being billed as a C-suite role with a “dedicated leasing function” speaks to the focus on experience in the increasing flight to quality among office tenants and is another example of the firm’s evolving leadership.

Derkac’s appointment comes after a late May C-suite shift, with Alex Vouvalides named CEO and Josh Hatfield named chief operating officer.

Derkac, who has spent 14 of his 20 years in commercial real estate at EQ focused on leasing and portfolio management across multiple markets, will now manage strategic customer and broker relationships. So far this year, while serving as senior vice president, portfolio director, Derkac oversaw large leases including bringing a new concept from Crafted Hospitality by chef Tom Colicchio, to Washington, D.C.’s Market Square.

EQ operates a portfolio of 20M SF of creative office spaces spread across 13 major U.S. markets, and it just completed a $500M renovation of the building that was once the tallest in the world, Chicago’s Willis Tower.

Founded by Sam Zell in 1976, the firm formerly known as Equity Office Properties was acquired by Blackstone in 2007 for $39B, a deal that was seen as a poorly timed bet as the Great Financial Crisis took hold, but one that saw the private equity giant exit with a $7B profit, Bisnow previously reported.