SOUTHFIELD, Mich., August 20, 2025 — Commercial real estate services firm Plante Moran Realpoint (PMR), an affiliate of the public accounting and business advisory firm Plante Moran, is pleased to announce the promotions of Nicole Blocker and Brian Smith to partner.
“Nicole and Brian are outstanding leaders whose continued growth reflects the values and vision of our practice,” said Bill Lichwalla, president and CEO of PMR. “Their dedication, integrity, and impact exemplify the kind of leadership that drives our firm forward and strengthens the service we provide to our clients and teams.”
Nicole Blocker
Based in Southfield, Blocker plays a key leadership role in PMR’s public sector practice, where she helps guide complex capital projects from early planning through execution. Blocker is a highly collaborative team member who brings energy and focus to every engagement. Her approach combines thoughtful planning, clear communication, and a deep commitment to helping clients achieve long-term success. At PMR, she continues to influence firmwide operations and team development, helping to shape internal processes and mentor emerging leaders.
Outside of her professional work, she is a passionate advocate for mentorship and community engagement. She serves as a consultant for Pretty Brown Girls, an organization focused on empowering Black and Brown girls, and is a member of the Engineering Society of Detroit. Her leadership has been recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business and the Michigan Chronicle. She holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Clark Atlanta University.
Brian Smith
Based in Southfield, Smith plays a strategic role in PMR’s internal operations, where he leads legal advisory, operational strategy, and enterprise risk management efforts that support both top-line growth and bottom-line performance. With a multidisciplinary background in architecture, structural engineering, and law, he brings a systems-level perspective to complex challenges—offering guidance on regulatory compliance, operational risk, and service delivery.
At PMR, Smith spent three and a half years embedded with Olympia Development of Michigan, contributing to the landmark District Detroit project. This immersive client-side experience sharpened his understanding of service delivery and now informs his firmwide leadership. Today, he serves as a trusted advisor to engagement teams, helping them navigate risk and deliver high-quality outcomes. He also champions internal process improvement, staff development, and the creation of tools that enhance operational efficiency.
Smith’s approach is grounded in service and problem-solving, shaped in part by his earlier career in the U.S. Army, where he led infrastructure development efforts in Iraq and Alaska in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He holds a Bachelor and Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Additional promotions for 2025
This year, PMR also celebrated the promotions of 18 other staff. Read about their accomplishments here.
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About Plante Moran Realpoint
As a full-service real estate advisor, Plante Moran Realpoint is built different. The firm’s comprehensive, end-to-end, industry-specific specialization spans clients’ real estate needs, from consulting and transactions to capital projects and development advisory. Its team has guided clients across the public and private sectors through millions of square feet of real estate transactions and $1 billion in investment real estate transactions. It is currently acting as an owner’s representative for more than $6 billion in active construction projects. With Plante Moran Realpoint, clients make well-informed real estate decisions, achieve their milestones, and flourish in great spaces. Realize what it means to be built different at pmrealpoint.com.
