Distinguished industry veteran to lead U.S. expansion efforts for
Canadian commercial real estate firm
TORONTO, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ - Avison Young, Canada's largest independently-owned commercial real estate services company, announced today that Earl E. Webb, formerly CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle's (JLL: NYSE) Capital Markets Group in the Americas, has been appointed President, U.S. Operations, effective September 8, 2009. The industry veteran will be responsible for leading geographic and service line expansion efforts in the U.S. for the rapidly growing firm, as well as heading all Avison Young U.S. operations.
"Earl Webb is one of the most distinguished executives in global commercial real estate and capital markets, with an unparalleled track record building business operations as well as executing highly successful strategies on behalf of clients," comments Mark E. Rose, Chair and CEO of Avison Young. "We are extremely pleased to welcome him to the leadership team, and particularly excited that he will take the helm of our U.S. initiatives at this opportune time in our growth."
Over the past year, Avison Young has pursued an active acquisition and expansion strategy, adding offices, professionals and service lines in Canada and opening its first U.S. office, in Chicago, in January 2009.
"Avison Young's global vision is one of the most compelling in the industry," says Webb. "The company has developed a new client service model that recognizes the inadequacy of traditional service line structures. Avison Young understands the key to success is the alignment of interests between its principals and the changing needs of clients in the new economic environment. I look forward to the opportunity to help build both the company's presence and its capabilities in the world's dominant real estate market."
Webb becomes a Principal and a member of the Company's Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He will be based in Avison Young's Northbrook, IL office.
Webb, 53, spent 24 years in senior positions with Jones Lang LaSalle. For the last seven years he served as CEO, Capital Markets Group, responsible for strategic direction and management of all capital markets activities and oversight of personnel and transaction activities in investment sales, corporate finance, debt and structured finance, and real estate investment banking for the firm's clients. From 1999 to 2002, he was CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, directing all of the firm's corporate solutions, investor services and capital markets business throughout the Americas region.
Prior to his appointment as Americas CEO, Webb served for five years as Managing Director and Group Head of Capital Markets in the U.S., expanding the business practice to include the full scope of investment banking services while also completing a number of notable transactions for clients. Prior to joining Jones Lang LaSalle, Webb served as second Vice-President in the capital markets group at Continental Illinois National Bank. He has served as a Board member for Players International, Inc., Site Stuff, Inc., and Jones Lang LaSalle.
Webb holds a B.S in Accounting and Finance from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is a Registered Securities Principal (Series 7, 24 and 63), an associate member of the Urban Land Institute, and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Real Estate Investment Advisory Council, Real Estate Roundtable, University of Virginia Planned Giving Council and J.L. Kellogg School Board of Alumni Advisors. Webb also serves on the Board of Managers for Chicago YMCA and is on the Board of Directors of Hubbard Street Dance Company.
Founded in 1978, Avison Young is Canada's largest independently-owned commercial real estate services company and the only national, Canadian-owned, principal-managed real estate brokerage firm in the country. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and ranked among Canada's leading national commercial real estate organizations, Avison Young is a full-service commercial real estate company comprising more than 500 real estate professionals in 12 offices across Canada and in Chicago, IL. The company provides value-added, client-centric investment sales, leasing, advisory, management and financial services to owners and users of commercial, industrial and multi-residential real estate properties.
Editors/Reporters
-----------------
- Photo of Earl Webb for Media use:
http://www.avisonyoung.com/library/pdf/Media_Releases/Temp/Earl_Webb.jpg
If you are unable to open the link, please contact Sherry Quan for jpeg
attachment to be emailed. Thank you.
For further information/comment/photos:
---------------------------------------
- Sherry Quan, Director of Corporate Communications (B.C.), Avison Young:
(604) 647-5098 or (604) 726-0959 (cell)
- Mark Rose, Chair and CEO, Avison Young: (416) 673-4028
- Earl Webb, President, U.S. Operations, Avison Young: (312) 961-1034
