Investment Real Estate LLC (IRE), a property-management and consulting firm serving the self-storage industry, has hired George Hatchard as brokerage advisor. His responsibilities will include buyer representation, due diligence, feasibility studies, financial analysis, listings and sales for properties in the mid-Atlantic region, according to a press release.

“George’s experience with customer relationships and handling large capital purchases blends nicely into the self-storage industry,” said Kevin Bledsoe, vice president of brokerage. “He has impressive knowledge of financing and the tax effect of those transactions, which gives him a head start on day one. His professionalism and enthusiasm will be welcomed by our clients, and we couldn’t be happier having him on our team.”

Hatchard has 28 years of experience in the construction-equipment industry, including the last 23 as corporate accounts manager with Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. in Harrisburg, Pa. He was responsible for the rental and sale of Caterpillar equipment to the company’s largest national accounts. In this role, Hatchard managed rental and sales revenue of more than $50 million per year, the release stated.

“I have always been interested in commercial real estate,” Hatchard said. “My family owned a self-storage facility in the 1980s, so when the opportunity presented itself to become a member of the IRE team and the self-storage community, it was a natural fit, something I was very excited to undertake.”

Hatchard has a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in business administration, with an emphasis in marketing.

Since its inception in 1998, IRE has provided brokerage, construction, development and management services to self-storage owners and investors.