JLL names Michael Colacino CEO of Americas Leasing Advisory

JLL (NYSE:JLL) announced leadership changes in its Americas Leasing Advisory business effective January 15, 2026.

Rhea-AI Summary

JLL (NYSE:JLL) announced leadership changes in its Americas Leasing Advisory business effective January 15, 2026. Michael Colacino was named CEO, Americas Leasing Advisory, and John Gates will transition to Executive Chairman, Americas Leasing Advisory. Colacino joined JLL in 2023 and brings over 30 years of commercial real estate experience and proptech expertise. Gates will refocus on occupier client relationships, targeted broker recruitment, oversight of Mexico operations, and strategic advisory across the platform. The company highlighted continuity planning as Gates and Colacino will work together to ensure a seamless transition while advancing technology, data analytics, and leasing capabilities across the Americas.

Positive

• Leadership change effective Jan 15, 2026
• Michael Colacino joined JLL in 2023 with >30 years of CRE experience
• John Gates to focus on client relationships and Mexico oversight
• Emphasis on technology and data analytics to drive leasing strategy

Negative

• None.

Argus Jan 7 session

+0.62% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – JLL

On Jan 7, the day this news came out, JLL closed 0.62% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Jan 7 session.

Market Context

This announcement details a planned leadership transition in JLL’s Americas Leasing Advisory busines...

Analysis

This announcement details a planned leadership transition in JLL’s Americas Leasing Advisory business, with Michael Colacino becoming CEO and John Gates moving to Executive Chairman effective January 15, 2026. It follows a series of recent strategic and management updates, including new leadership appointments and major mandates. Investors may watch how the new structure supports leasing growth, client relationships, and technology-driven execution, especially given the company’s recent momentum and prior focus on capital markets and operational wins.

Key Figures

Effective date: January 15, 2026 Announcement date: January 7, 2026 Industry experience: Over 30 years +2 more

Effective date

January 15, 2026

Transition date for CEO and Executive Chairman roles in Americas Leasing Advisory

Announcement date

January 7, 2026

Date JLL announced Americas Leasing Advisory leadership changes

Industry experience

Over 30 years

Michael Colacino’s commercial real estate experience cited by JLL

Presidency tenure

2002–2014

Colacino’s period as President at Studley before acquisition by Savills

Haiku Partners founding

2019

Year Colacino founded proptech investment firm Haiku Partners

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 16

5 events

1. Dec 16

   Capitalization mandate

   24h Move

   -0.1%

   Arranged $384M capitalization for large waterfront multi-housing project.

2. Dec 03

   Leadership transition

   24h Move

   +1.6%

   Planned LaSalle global leadership transition emphasizing succession and continuity.

3. Dec 03

   New operations mandate

   24h Move

   +1.6%

   Selected to run facility operations for JFK’s New Terminal One opening in 2026.

4. Dec 01

   Management appointment

   24h Move

   -0.6%

   Appointed new CFO, Leasing Advisory and Head of Corporate Development.

5. Nov 25

   Market cycle update

   24h Move

   +3.9%

   Reported rising Global Bid Intensity Index and improving investment cycle momentum.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

executive chairman, proptech, ai

3 terms

executive chairman financial

"John Gates will transition to Executive Chairman, Americas Leasing Advisory."

An executive chairman is the board leader who also takes an active role in running the company, combining oversight of the board with hands-on involvement in strategy and major decisions. For investors, this matters because it concentrates influence in one person—like a team captain who both sets the game plan and plays on the field—so their judgment can speed decisions but also increases governance and succession risk that can affect stock value.

proptech technical

"He later founded proptech investment firm Haiku Partners in 2019, before serving..."

Property technology, or proptech, is the use of software, sensors, data and online platforms to buy, sell, manage and use real estate more efficiently. Think of it as bringing the conveniences of apps and automation to buildings and property markets — from digital listings and smart locks to automated maintenance and data-driven pricing. Investors care because proptech can lower costs, increase occupancy or rents, improve asset value and create new revenue streams or risks in real estate portfolios.

ai technical

"alongside his data management, AI and technology expertise, strongly position him..."

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables machines to mimic human thinking and learning, allowing them to analyze information, recognize patterns, and make decisions. For investors, AI matters because it can improve how businesses operate, create new products, or identify opportunities faster and more accurately than humans alone, potentially impacting company success and market trends.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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John Gates transitions to Executive Chairman role

CHICAGO, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- JLL, a leading global commercial real estate services firm, today announced key leadership changes as part of a planned transition within its Americas Leasing Advisory business. Michael Colacino has been appointed CEO Americas Leasing Advisory and John Gates will transition to Executive Chairman, Americas Leasing Advisory. The transition is effective January 15.  

"These appointments position our Americas leasing business for continued growth and innovation," said Karen Brennan, CEO of JLL's global Leasing Advisory business. "Michael's proven leadership, strategic acumen, and technology-forward approach will drive the evolution of our business, while John's transition to Executive Chairman allows us to leverage his market relationships and industry expertise." 

As Executive Chairman, Gates will focus on building relationships with occupier clients, targeted broker recruitment, oversight of Mexico operations and providing strategic advisory across the platform. During his tenure as CEO, Gates strengthened JLL's presence across the Americas, expanded leasing capabilities in key markets and established the firm's industrial and logistics business. He also launched JLL University, one of the firm's most regarded training programs and advanced the Champions of Excellence tradition celebrating employees' outstanding career contributions to the firm and communities.  

"I'm incredibly proud of the best-in-class platform we've built over the last decade-plus, which includes an incredible team of leasing professionals across the Americas," said Gates. "This was an opportune time for me to transition to a role where I can dedicate more time to clients and help continue to source top-talent. I know that our business is in good hands with Michael and look forward to helping him achieve JLL's next phase of growth."   

Colacino joined JLL in 2023 as President of Tri-State Brokerage, bringing over 30 years of commercial real estate experience starting at Studley, where he led a management buyout and served as President from 2002 until the firm's acquisition by Savills in 2014. At Savills he ran the US operations and served on the Savills Global Executive Board. He later founded proptech investment firm Haiku Partners in 2019, before serving as President and then CEO at SquareFoot. His deep understanding of evolving client expectations and competitive market dynamics, alongside his data management, AI and technology expertise, strongly position him to lead the next phase of strategic growth across our Americas leasing business. 

"I'm honored to lead our talented Americas leasing team and build on John's tremendous success," said Colacino. " With JLL's exceptional people and our advanced technology platform and data analytics capabilities, we're focused on insights that drive smarter real estate decisions and outstanding client results." 

Gates began his career at The Staubach Company in 1990 and joined JLL through its 2008 acquisition, subsequently holding leadership roles including CEO of Markets for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. 

Gates and Colacino will work together to ensure a seamless transition while continuing to deliver exceptional outcomes for JLL's leasing clients across the Americas. 

About JLL
For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500^® company with annual revenue of $23.4 billion and operations in over 80 countries around the world, our more than 113,000 employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAY^SM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

Contact: Jesse Tron
Phone: + 1 914 424 0299
Email: jesse.tron@jll.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jll-names-michael-colacino-ceo-of-americas-leasing-advisory-302655635.html

SOURCE JLL

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

When does the JLL leadership change for Americas Leasing Advisory take effect for JLL?

The transition is effective January 15, 2026.

Who is the new CEO of Americas Leasing Advisory at JLL (NYSE:JLL)?

Michael Colacino was appointed CEO, Americas Leasing Advisory.

What role will John Gates hold after the JLL (NYSE:JLL) transition on January 15, 2026?

John Gates will transition to Executive Chairman, Americas Leasing Advisory focusing on clients and Mexico operations.

What experience does Michael Colacino bring to his JLL CEO role?

Colacino has over 30 years in commercial real estate, joined JLL in 2023, and has proptech and data expertise.

How will the JLL leadership change affect Americas leasing operations?

The company says Gates and Colacino will collaborate to ensure a seamless transition while advancing leasing capabilities and tech-enabled insights.