CBRE Appoints President of Investor Leasing, Americas
Mike Watts, industry veteran of more than 25 years, joins CBRE from Transwestern, where he most recently served as president of the Midwest.
CHICAGO, IL – CBRE has appointed industry veteran, Mike Watts to president of investor leasing in the Americas.
Based in Chicago, Watts brings more than 25-years of industry experience to CBRE. He will commence his new role at the firm on May 17.
Within his new position, Watts will work alongside CBRE’s Americas advisory leadership team to provide leasing services to the firm’s investor/landlord clients, across all property types, focusing primarily on the office sector. He will coordinate with the leaders of CBRE’s property management, capital markets, project management and valuations to serve investor clients in the US, Canada and Latin America.
As president of investor leasing in the Americas, Watts will report to Danny Queenan, global chief executive of CBRE’s advisory services business segment.
“Mike is a strong leader who deeply understands the commercial real estate space,” states Queenan. “He brings an exceptional track record advising real estate investors on all aspects and stages of portfolio strategy to help draw the best results from their assets. We’re pleased to have him join CBRE in this important leadership position.”
Watts holds vast experience in advising owners and occupiers on real estate strategies.
Most recently, Watts served as Transwestern’s president of the Midwest, where he oversaw the firm’s national agency leasing business development platform. Prior to joining Transwestern, Watts worked at J.F. McKinney and Associates, where he oversaw the leasing of several developments and repositioned numerous high-profile projects in Chicago. He also previously served as the downtown regional leasing director for LaSalle Partners.
“I’m excited to be joining CBRE at such a transformational time in commercial real estate,” Watts states. “CBRE’s platform and talent are industry leading. As we emerge from the current downturn, owners of real estate are seeking guidance on holistic strategies that will drive value over both the short and long terms as they position their assets to meet the changing needs of office occupiers.”