Darren Bovard

Several mornings a week, Darren grabs his bike and climbs to the top of a local mountain. On his run down, he relishes the wonders of nature — grand sunrises, rugged terrain, an occasional creature and peaceful solitude. It is this ritual that clears his head for a day of intense leasing strategy and deal-making.

During his 18 years with NewMark Merrill, Darren has made a different kind of climb, starting as Leasing Associate and working his way up to his current role as Senior Vice President, Leasing. He’s seen and enjoyed it all - epic holiday parties, strategy meetings, scotch Friday’s (self-explanatory) and mostly witnessing the rise and success of the company and his teammates, believing that growth is contagious when everyone is headed in the same direction.

From managing all things leasing across the portfolio for centers in California, Colorado and Illinois, to forming invaluable long-lasting relationships with owners, tenants and brokers, Darren has contributed immensely at NMC. His efforts include more than 1,000 leasing and management transactions – comprising millions of square feet in more than 50 shopping centers.

Darren was exposed to retail as a teen, when he worked in a clothing warehouse and saw first-hand the hard work it took to run a retail business. With a BS in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from University of Colorado (Go Buffs!), Darren landed a spot at the Enterprise Rent a Car management training program. As Assistant Manager and then Account Manager, he found a passion for sales and a knack for relationship building, so he made the leap to NewMark Merrill and hasn’t looked back since.

Darren is a taco sensei and a sucker for a thoughtfully-crafted Italian sub. He leads an active life with his family and border collie (Dotty) — swimming, riding bikes, playing sports and hanging at the beach.