Leasing Tampa's Small Bay Warehouses: How Selena Czerwin Keeps Pace

By Sam Laird

Tampa-based leasing associate Selena Czerwin helps customers find the right homes for their warehouse operations across Link Logistics' Central Florida industrial portfolio. Read on to learn how she negotiates new leases and renewals for shallow bay and small bay distribution space in one of Florida's fastest-growing logistics real estate markets.

How long have you worked at Link Logistics and what is your role in industrial real estate leasing?

Selena: I've been with Link Logistics for four years and currently work as a leasing associate covering the Tampa industrial market. My role involves marketing available space, negotiating lease transactions and renewals, and working closely with our internal teams to execute leasing strategies. I also talk with brokers every day to source opportunities, create deals and stay on top of market activity. It's a fast-paced role that combines relationship building, problem solving and strategic thinking to help our assets perform at the highest level.

What makes Tampa so well-suited for customers seeking strategically located warehouse properties?

Selena: Location is Tampa’s key advantage for customers seeking space for their business operations. We're right in the middle of the state, with South Florida on one side and North Florida on the other. Tampa has benefitted from strong population growth, plus major transportation infrastructure like interstates and deep-water ports that support the flow of goods, making the region a strong logistics hub for distribution and last-mile delivery operations.

Warehouse occupiers in Tampa tend to be in industries like building materials, food and beverage, and light manufacturing. It's a smaller market than the north and south ports, where you see more large-scale bulk distribution.

Link Logistics’ Tampa industrial real estate portfolio spans roughly 4.5 million square feet and includes key submarkets like East Tampa, Pinellas, the Airport and Lakeland. I focus on mostly shallow and small bay industrial product, and most of our assets here are under 50,000 square feet. This smaller footprint is well-suited to last-mile distribution strategies and occupiers like third-party logistics providers who need to stay close to population centers.

What's the best part about leasing warehouse space in Florida?

Selena: I enjoy seeing how goods flow from businesses to consumers and getting a look at the operations behind the scenes. When you walk through a space, you can really see what's happening before a product ever lands on a shelf. At the same time, the work keeps you sharp since you must stay on top of market dynamics and shifting supply and demand. Link Logistics is a leader in the market by square footage, so the bar is high.

What’s a recent accomplishment you’re proud of?

Selena: Recently, I worked alongside our Regional Construction team to get a lease executed that's taking a 1-million-square-foot park in Tampa from roughly 85% to 90% occupancy—which is no small feat given the oversupply in this size range right now. We started by visiting the customer's current space and noting how they used it, then figured out how to bring that functionality into our property.

We agreed on a deal set to commence in a couple months with a very complicated tenant improvement scope to make the space as functional as possible. We basically retrofitted a building from the 1980s to perform like a modern Class-A facility.

How has the warehouse and logistics sector changed since you joined, both broadly and in Tampa specifically?

Selena: I started right around the beginning of the Covid-19 shutdown, when companies were taking up as much space as they could and nothing sat on the market.

As leases and renewals come up, customers reevaluate how much space they need and where they can gain efficiencies—sometimes consolidating locations, sometimes downsizing, and for some even moving to a space with higher clear heights so they can rack vertically instead of spreading out across the floor. We're seeing more demand for higher-functioning space with larger truck courts and modern loading options. Overall, customers are weighing all costs carefully.

What skills are essential for someone working in industrial real estate leasing?

Selena: The most important skill you need in industrial real estate leasing is acquiring strong market knowledge. You need to know your submarkets inside and out—attention to detail matters. If a deal comes up in a conversation, you have to absorb that information and keep it top-of-mind.

Clear communication is also essential, because our work in leasing industrial real estate impacts so many groups, from customers and brokers to our internal teams, like Investments, Property Management and Legal.
Can you describe how the Property Management, Regional Construction and Asset Management teams work together to help lease space?

Selena: Asset Management sets the leasing strategy and deal terms. Regional Construction handles the buildouts and tenant improvements, which is especially important here in Tampa given the number of projects we have underway to keep our spaces current with evolving customer demand. Property Management keeps the spaces showing well and our current customers satisfied. When a prospect is brought to us, often from our external brokerage teams, Link Logistics’ Property Management, Regional Construction and Asset Management teams coordinate closely to deliver the space and win the lease.

What do you value most about Link Logistics’ approach to industrial real estate?

Selena: I appreciate that Link Logistics is focused on doing things the right way. We think strategically about what will drive the best outcomes for our customers and the company, which makes me proud to be here. Our diverse portfolio of industrial real estate also gives customers a wide range of options, allowing them to identify the space that best fits their business needs.

When you aren't thinking about warehouses, what do you do for fun?

Selena: I like to stay active and spend time in the water. My husband and I love to surf together—the water is my home away from home. I also travel whenever I can. I recently spent two weeks in Spain and Portugal. Experiencing new cultures and being outdoors is how I maintain my work-life balance.