Atlanta, GA, March 27, 2024 – Houston-based Partners Real Estate (“Partners”), a full-service commercial real estate firm with an integrated investment and development platform, today announced its significant expansion into the Southeastern region of the U.S.

This marks a critical step in Partners’ strategic growth plan and is the firm’s first expansion outside of Texas. Leading the Southeast business on June 1, 2024 will be veteran commercial real estate executive John O’Neill, who joins the company as President and Managing Partner, Southeast and Board member. In addition to opening an Atlanta office, Partners will also be expanding into the Carolinas, Nashville and across the Florida markets.

“We are thrilled to have John join our team and lead this important Southeast expansion. As one of the most highly regarded executives in the industry, I appreciate how John innately understands our unique partnership model and recognizes the value of our investment and development businesses,” said Jon Silberman, CEO of Partners. “We are a true partnership where our colleagues have ownership in the firm; similar to what you see in every other professional services vertical: accounting, consulting, legal, etc. When you have a partnership model it creates a true culture of collaboration and alignment, which ultimately benefits our clients—as we like to say, ‘Work Together, Win Together.’ I have seen it play out time and again over our 25-year-plus history. John totally gets the power of our platform and will be a great addition to our firm.”

Mr. O’Neill spent the past 20 years at Cushman & Wakefield, where he held a variety of leadership roles including serving as President of the firm’s largest geography, its Central region, which consisted of 19 cities across the Midwest and Sunbelt markets; and most recently serving as President of Multifamily Capital Markets for the U.S. In that position, he focused on maximizing C&W’s $500 million investment in Greystone by building alignment and driving revenue across the collective enterprise; scaling the firm’s Sales & Debt Advisory Business; and integrating the four multifamily businesses to create value for the investor clients.

“Our most important asset is our people. When you get the right people in the right seats, you can deliver superior value to your clients,” said Travis Rodgers, COO & Partner. “John shares this core principle and is a terrific match for our firm. He’s incredibly passionate about culture, building a winning team, and making a positive and lasting impact in the community. The right leadership matters in any organization, but especially in the commercial real estate sector. We are excited to have John on our team come June 1.”

“I’m honored to be joining Partners Real Estate this summer. The company has built such an impressive business across all three operating segments: full-service occupier and investor business, Investments, and Development; and wrapped it all in a partnership structure where those that create the value retain 100% of the value,” said Mr. O’Neill. “Partners is the only firm in the industry with this operating model, which has allowed the company to attract great talent and great clients. I am incredibly excited to collaborate with other like-minded professionals to scale the Partners platform across the Southeast.”

“Having had the privilege of knowing John personally for over 30 years, I can attest to the exceptional qualities that he brings to the table,” said John Simons, Partner in in the firm’s Industrial Group, and Board Member. “John is uniquely positioned to spearhead the expansion of our market-differentiating platform into the Southeast. Welcome aboard, John—here’s to a fun future filled with growth, success, and innovation.”

Professionals interested in learning more about Partners Real Estate and our Atlanta growth strategy  should reach out directly to Travis Rodgers, the company’s Chief Operating Officer and Partner, at (713) 275-9609, or via email at [email protected].

Please direct all media inquiries around Partners’ expansion into the Southeastern region of the U.S. and Atlanta office launch to Larry Koestler, Executive Vice President of Marketing, at (713) 275-9623, or [email protected].