Veteran real estate leader Thomas Johnston joins ASU as executive director of the newly named W. P. Carey Center for Real Estate and Finance

TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University has named longtime real estate leader Tom "TJ" Johnston as executive director of the newly expanded and named W. P. Carey Center for Real Estate and Finance. With more than two decades of experience spanning brokerage, operations, and investment strategy, Johnston brings deep industry expertise and a collaborative mindset to this pivotal role.

The executive director position was made possible through a recent $25 million gift from the W. P. Carey Foundation to ASU's W. P. Carey School of Business. The gift primarily aims to bolster real estate education by expanding access to experiential learning, promoting research, and strengthening the school's industry partnerships.

"Real estate is a cornerstone of both economic development and community strength," said Ohad Kadan, Charles J. Robel Dean and W. P. Carey Distinguished Chair in Business. "Tom Johnston's leadership will help us deliver on our promise to prepare students who not only understand markets but also shape them to serve society. He brings the real-world perspective needed to connect our academic mission with what's happening on the ground. We are thrilled to welcome Tom to this important role."

Johnston's appointment follows a national search conducted in partnership with Ferguson Partners, a leading executive search and advisory firm specializing in the real estate and infrastructure sectors. The search focused on identifying a leader who will advance the center's mission of bringing together impactful research, industry engagement, and education.

Johnston joins the center after serving as managing director and designated broker at SVN | SFRhub Marketplace, where he led a team focused on single-family rental and build-for-rent portfolios nationwide. His career also includes leadership roles at Savills North America, Voit Real Estate Services, and Cushman & Wakefield, where he drove growth, profitability, and mentorship across multiple service lines.

"As real estate continues to evolve, so must our approach to education and industry collaboration," Johnston said. "I am honored to join ASU and the W. P. Carey School at such a dynamic time for the real estate sector. The center is uniquely positioned to shape the next generation of real estate leaders and provide meaningful value to industry and community stakeholders."

The W. P. Carey Center for Real Estate and Finance is a flagship initiative within the school's commitment to ASU's Changing Futures campaign. It supports a rapidly expanding slate of real estate programming, including support for the renowned Master of Real Estate Development program and the newly launched bachelor's degree in real estate and applied finance. As executive director, Johnston will oversee the center's strategic direction, deepen industry engagement, create new pathways for student mentorship, and guide initiatives that bridge academic insight with real-world application in a sector that accounts for more than 14% of U.S. gross domestic product.

Johnston will work in close collaboration with Mark Stapp, executive director of the Master of Real Estate Development program and director of the center's Experiential Learning Lab, as well as Kimberly Winson-Geideman, director of the Division of Real Estate within the Department of Finance.

"Bringing in a leader like TJ to guide our industry relationships ensures that our students are not only job-ready, but also purpose-driven," said Stapp, Fred E. Taylor Professor of Real Estate. "Together, we will continue to enhance ASU's reputation as a national leader in real estate education and applied industry partnerships."

About the W. P. Carey School of Business
The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is the largest and one of the top-ranked business schools in the United States. The school is internationally regarded for its research productivity and distinguished faculty members. Students come from more than 120 countries, and W. P. Carey is represented by alums in over 100 countries. Visit wpcarey.asu.edu.

For more information/media contact:
Shay Moser
W. P. Carey School of Business
[email protected]

SOURCE W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University