HOUSTON-Darrell Betts – one of the Southwest’s most prominent commercial real estate investment brokers – has joined Avison Young’s brokerage operations in Houston.

In his new role of principal, Betts will lead the firm’s capital markets practice in Texas and the Southwest U.S. He began his commercial real estate career 24 years ago and over his career has been involved in more than $5 billion worth of real estate transactions. Most recently he was an executive director with the Cushman & Wakefield of Texas Inc.’s capital markets group.

“I wasn’t looking for [another job], but when I sat down with the Avison Young people, it became clear that this was a great opportunity,” Betts tells GlobeSt. “The number one reason is being able to reconnect with Chair and CEO Mark Rose. I know what he’s capable of, and he’s building a first-tier team.”