Cushman & Wakefield Veteran John Santora Named CEO, North America

NEW YORK, NEW YORK--(Marketwired - Dec. 16, 2014) -

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Cushman & Wakefield announced today that John C. Santora has been named Chief Executive Officer for North America, the firm's largest global operating region. Mr. Santora will continue to serve on the firm's senior governing body, the Board of Directors.

A 37-year veteran of the firm, Mr. Santora will drive forward the execution of C&W's strategic plan in the United States, Canada and Mexico, which consists of 146 owned and alliance offices and nearly 8,000 employees. Mr. Santora will also provide continuity in his new role with key multinational client relationships and further integrate service lines in the region across Leasing, Capital Markets, Valuation & Advisory and Property Management.

"Throughout his career, John's success in a variety of managerial and operational positions with increasing authority and responsibility is due to placing the upmost importance on organizing services and driving solutions for the benefit of Cushman & Wakefield's clients," said Edward C. Forst, Cushman & Wakefield's President & Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Santora, one of the industry's most experienced commercial real estate executives, most recently served as President and CEO of Cushman & Wakefield's Corporate Occupier & Investor Services ("CIS") group. Since becoming a strategic initiative under Mr. Santora in 2010, CIS, which creates comprehensive solutions for real estate portfolios, has more than doubled its revenue and EBITDA.

Mr. Santora takes over North America as Jim Underhill has left the firm to pursue other career opportunities. Cushman & Wakefield appreciates Mr. Underhill's many contributions to the firm in building the North America franchise.

C&W's Occupier Services will be co-led by Todd Schwartz, the group's Global Chief Operating Officer, Mark Wanic, Head of Americas Occupier Services, and Richard Middleton, Head of EMEA and Asia Pacific Occupier Services.

Mr. Santora previously served as the firm's Global Chief Operating Officer, where he helped plan and drive the firm's global expansion into Europe and Asia and the integration of new service areas. He is Chairman of the Board of the Business Integration Group (BIG), a real estate technology company based in Tempe, AZ.

Mr. Santora is a fellow of The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, Chairman of the Realty Advisory Board, an active member of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the Board of Governors of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), a member of the Board of Trustees for Local 32BJ-Health and Benefit Funds and a past Secretary of IREM.

Cushman & Wakefield advises and represents clients on all aspects of property occupancy and investment. Founded in 1917, it has approximately 250 offices in 60 countries, employing more than 16,000 professionals. It offers a complete range of services to its occupier and investor clients for all property types, including leasing, sales and acquisitions, equity, debt and structured finance, corporate finance and investment banking, appraisal, consulting, corporate services, and property, facilities, project and risk management. To learn more, click HERE.

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