Atlanta-based commercial real estate industry veterans Nathan Anderson and Darren Butler announced their exit from NAI Brannen Goddard to launch their new venture: ATLAS Commercial Real Estate.

Anderson and Butler, who both served nearly two decades at NAI Brannen Goddard, have completed hundreds of high-profile CRE transactions in metro Atlanta and throughout the country, with their transaction volume sitting at approximately $120 million annually.

“We’re leaving the absolute best place to work in the commercial real estate industry to follow our dream,” remarked Anderson. “The payoff that comes from providing quality service in the commercial real estate industry energizes me and inspires me to pursue this passion. The core values of service and hard work above all else are what will carry ATLAS Commercial Real Estate forward now and in the future.”

ATLAS Commercial Real Estate will focus on commercial real estate in metro Atlanta and nationwide. Anderson and Butler will serve as CEO and president of the firm and will be immediately joined by administrative staff. “I admire Nathan and Darren’s work ethics and tenacity, and I look forward to working with them as ATLAS Commercial Real Estate on transactions across the country,” remarked Paul Roeser, senior vice president and global director of business development at IDI Gazeley.

The firm’s initial client roster will include Colony Capital, IDI Gazeley, Dividend Capital Trust and Core5 Industrial Partners, with additional clients forthcoming. “We choose to do business with Nathan and Darren, because they roll up their sleeves and work tirelessly until the job is done successfully,” said Jay Mitchell, SVP of Dividend Capital Trust.

ATLAS Commercial Real Estate’s new office location is centrally situated in Atlanta’s Buckhead financial district. The firm’s focus will center around commercial real estate activity in the metro Atlanta area and will also expand to national tenant business. “It’s an exciting moment in time for commercial real estate locally here in Atlanta and across the country,” remarked Butler. “CRE is seeing a lot of activity, with companies expanding, growing and securing real estate needs for their new and expanded facility operations. Nathan and I are poised to extend the service that’s made us successful to ATLAS Commercial Real Estate clients nationwide.”

Previously, Nathan Anderson served for more than 18 years as managing director at NAI Brannen Goddard, a company that Anderson’s uncle, Bob Goddard, began with Mitchell Brannen in 1978. Butler served as broker and then managing director at NAI Brannen Goddard for nearly a decade. “Nathan and Darren have been tremendous assets to NAI Brannen Goddard during the past 20 years, and I wish them much success as they embark on their new venture,” said NAI Brannen Goddard CEO Mitchell Brannen.

Nathan Anderson holds a bachelor of Business Administration and Economics from the University of Georgia. He resides in Canton, Georgia with this wife, Sandi, and three kids, Kathryn (6), Sydney (8) and Will (12). In his spare time, Anderson coaches all of his kids’ youth sports teams.

Darren Butler holds a bachelor of Business Administration from Ohio University. He resides in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta with his wife, Bethany, and two kids, Ford (2) and Hartley (5). In his free time, Butler coaches TopHat soccer. He also runs an annual career forum at Ohio University that provides opportunities for students to excel in the sports business sector through internship and job placements.