By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

For more than four decades, Dennis Penman has been the public face of M.J. Peterson Real Estate Corp.

That will change Jan. 3 when he joins Ciminelli Real Estate Corp. as principal and executive vice president.

Penman said his decision to leave M.J. Peterson, where he was executive vice president, came with the blessings of top executives. He remains a partner with some of them in various developments.

"This is like an encore career for me," said Penman, 62.

While M.J. Peterson's development portfolio is dominated by residential projects - many of which were overseen by Penman - at Ciminelli he'll tackle a more diverse list of projects. That includes developing the 300-acre Muir Woods project in Amherst and several buildings on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

"Dennis is bringing a very diverse background, and that fits perfectly with us," said Paul Ciminelli, president and CEO.

The company's portfolio goes beyond Western New York into such cities as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, as well as portions of Connecticut.

Penman said his initial focus will be local projects. Ciminelli is developing a major office building on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and is in the midst of renovating the former Bethune Hall on Main Street, near Bennett High School, into an upscale apartment complex.

Ciminelli's local portfolio is more than 8.1 million square feet. M.J. Peterson's, meanwhile, is 4.6 million square feet.

Bringing Penman onboard is a natural extension of their longtime friendship, according to Ciminelli. They also were development partners in a number of projects, including the Visiting Nursing Association's headquarters in Amherst.

"Dennis has always been a big help and a sounding board for me," he said.

Penman anticipates a seamless move from M.J. Peterson to Ciminelli Real Estate, saying, "Culturally, it is good fit for me at this time in my life."

His professional resume is extensive. M.J. Peterson, with Penman overseeing the projects, has developed more than 700 homes on Buffalo's East and West sides, many of them in neighborhoods that others shied away from. Penman also oversaw the company's development of high-end Waterfront Village condos and suburban subdivisions.

He said he is looking forward to joining the Ciminelli firm and tackling a new list of projects.

"It is exciting and has reinvigorated me," Penman said.