LOS ANGELES—Jodi Meade, a 29-year real estate expert in automotive retail properties, has joined Avison Young as a principal. Meade is tasked with developing and leading the firm's newly added automotive properties group, focusing on the acquisition, disposition, leasing and relocation of these properties. She will work in the firm's downtown office.

“Jodi is providing us with an incredible national platform in a rapidly growing sector of the retail and investment markets throughout the United States,” says Chris Cooper, Avison Young principal and managing director. “Jodi's name is synonymous with automotive retail, and her relationships span across both regional and national dealership groups and investors, as well as global automotive manufacturers. This is a huge win for Avison Young, and we are thrilled to have Jodi join our growing company.”

Meade will leverage her extensive collection of industry contacts to grow the group. She has acquired these contacts through her 29-year career, which includes developing and launching the automotive properties group at CBRE. There, her roaster of clients GM, Ford Motor Company, AutoStar and Budget Car. A decade earlier, in 1995, Meade served as the director of retail property management with Shea Properties. She oversaw the firm's California portfolio.

Meade's addition further illustrates Avison Young's ongoing expansion. The firm has grown to 57 offices internationally with 1,500 employees. In addition to Meade, the firm recently tapped David Callahan for the role of SVP in the firm's downtown office. Callahan will focus on tenant representation and landlord advisory services.

GlobeSt.com plans to update this story with more information about Meade's position and the firm's new group.