HFF chief John Pelusi to step down in April

HFF’s John Pelusi has resigned from his roles as chief executive officer and vice-chairman of the real estate finance firm, effective April 2014, the company announced yesterday. Pelusi – one of the founding members of Pittsburgh-based HFF — will also step down from his role as managing member of operating partnerships, according to a release.

Deborah McAneny, lead director of HFF’s board, thanked Pelusi “for his outstanding service as our CEO and for his many years of contribution to the success of the company,” according to the release. He will be replaced in the CEO role by Mark Gibson, who is currently an executive managing director at HFF and a vice-chairman of the board of directors.

McAneny told the New York Observer that Pelusi’s decision was a retirement, but declined to elaborate further. Pelusi could not be reached by the Observer for comment. [NYO] – Hiten Samtani