JLL's Michael Jordan

Earlier this month, Jones Lang LaSalle promoted Michael Jordan from Senior Vice President to National Practice Leader of the firm’s Energy and Sustainability Consulting practice. The Portland, OR-based Jordan is now working with the firm’s Energy and Sustainability Services and Strategic Consulting groups to create broad, holistic programs that extend beyond energy management techniques.

GlobeSt.com: What is the mandate for this new position? Jordan: We’re mirroring what we’re seeing in the market and the economy in general–which because of environmental, social and portfolio sustainability–are intertwined and really require a systems-thinking approach. Our consulting services help with that systems thinking, [to allow an] overall [corporate workplace and infrastructure] that makes sense for the employees, the cost structure, and the corporate mission. We’re the integrator of a variety of functions, to set strategic direction for leading corporate real estate organizations.

GlobeSt.com: The group is about a year old–how has it evolved? Jordan: We did start working on our internal sustainability before that. We wanted to make sure we were practicing what we preached. We’ve looked for opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of our clients–we have worked to bring more green expertise to our building process by familiarizing people with green operations and maintenance issues, and green construction standards and practices. We’re continuing to build capabilities to help clients understand the importance of maintaining building systems in an efficient manner, working on workplace sustainabilities. We’re taking a holistic view of the sustainability equation to include how employees work in their space, and how much space is needed. Occupancy planning has been a problem in real estate on the corporate side for a long time, and there is even more urgency now–vacancy drives up property costs and energy costs. With the rising price of energy and looming carbon pricing, those issues are front and center for corporations. We’re working with our clients to help them understand what to do on this, and how a holistic view goes beyond facilities, infrastructure and energy.