Cushman & Wakefield Veteran John Santora Named CEO, Client Solutions

NEW YORK, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Cushman & Wakefield, the world's largest privately held commercial real estate services firm, announced today that John C. Santora has been named Chief Executive Officer, Client Solutions, a new position overseeing one of the firm's largest operating units.  Mr. Santora, who has served as President and Chief Executive Officer for the firm's Americas region since Mid-2008, had previously served as Global Chief Operating Officer and he is among the industry's most experienced executives on an international basis.  He is based in New York.  

"As we streamline our operations to emphasize quality and consistency of service on a global basis, John is uniquely qualified to drive our global corporate services business forward," said Glenn Rufrano, Cushman & Wakefield's president and chief executive officer.  "Global expertise and coordination is absolutely essential in the delivery of best-in-class services, and John's institutional knowledge and past experience will be a competitive advantage for our firm."

As CEO of Client Solutions, Mr. Santora will be responsible for overseeing the largest operating unit at Cushman & Wakefield, with more than 7,000 employees.  Cushman & Wakefield's Client Solutions division provides property, facilities, project and transaction management, agency leasing and lease administration services to corporate occupiers and investors in commercial real estate worldwide.  The firm's clients include many of the world's largest corporations and institutional investors.  On a global scale, the division manages approximately 600 million square feet of commercial property.

In his previous regional leadership role, Mr. Santora – a 30-plus year veteran of Cushman & Wakefield – led the firm's business in the Americas.  The region reported revenue of more than $1.1 billion in 2009, the second highest in the commercial real estate services industry.  He oversaw service line, regional and branch operations in the United States, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.

Prior, as Global Chief Operating Officer, he was responsible for implementation of the firm's global business strategy and integration of its regional operations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.  During his three years in the position, he oversaw major acquisitions in Mexico, South America, Canada and Australia, among many others.  Prior to his global role, Mr. Santora was EVP and head of Cushman & Wakefield's Asset Services Group, now a part of Client Solutions, and is credited with the expansion and integration of the service worldwide.

A search is currently underway to fill the regional CEO position.  Mr. Santora will serve in both capacities until a replacement is identified.

"I am extremely motivated to be in a position to help Cushman & Wakefield fulfill its potential on behalf of our corporate and institutional clients," said Mr. Santora.  "We have extraordinary talent on a global basis, and this new position will emphasize global integration and collaboration in a way that will help our clients benefit from more than the sum of our parts."

Mr. Santora is one of 10 members of Cushman & Wakefield's Board of Directors.  He is the Chairman of the Board of Cushman & Wakefield Asia, and serves on the Boards of Cushman & Wakefield Mexico and Cushman & Wakefield South America.  He is also Chairman of the Board of the Business Integration Group (BIG), a web-based property management solution provider owned by Cushman & Wakefield.

Mr. Santora is a certified property manager by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).  He is a fellow of The University of Pennsylvania Wharton's business school, Chairman of the Realty Advisory Board, and an active member of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), National Advisory Council, the Board of Governors of the Real Estate Board of New York, the Board of Trustees for Local 32BJ-Health and Benefit Funds and a past Secretary of IREM.  In 2005, the Real Estate Board of New York selected him as Management Executive of the Year, and in 2001 IREM awarded him Certified Property Manager of the Year.

Mr. Santora is involved with numerous charitable organizations, including the United Way, Boy Scouts, Diabetes Research Institute, FDNY, Covenant House and Jeff's Run.  In 2007, the FDNY Foundation honored him with its Fire Commissioner's Humanitarian Award; in 2006 he was awarded the Boy Scouts of America's REBNY Good Scout Award; and in 2004 Covenant House honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Cushman & Wakefield is the world's largest privately held commercial real estate services firm. Founded in 1917, it has 221 offices in 58 countries and more than 15,000 employees.  The firm represents a diverse customer base ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.  It offers a complete range of services within five primary disciplines: Transaction Services, including tenant and landlord representation in office, industrial and retail real estate; Capital Markets, including property sales, investment management, investment banking, debt and equity financing; Valuation and Advisory Services; Client Solutions, including integrated real estate strategies for large corporations and property owners, and Consulting Services, including business and real estate consulting.  A recognized leader in global real estate research, the firm publishes a broad array of proprietary reports available on its online Knowledge Center at www.cushmanwakefield.com.

SOURCE Cushman & Wakefield