Transwestern Adds Heft to Occupier Solutions Group

DALLAS—Billy Gannon recently joined Transwestern Commercial Services as senior vice president in the Dallas-Fort Worth occupier solutions group. In this role, he will advise companies on lease negotiations, acquisitions/dispositions, sale-leasebacks, portfolio optimization and economic incentives. In this exclusive, Gannon shared insights on the drivers for occupier deals, what’s ahead for 2020 and his focus in the new role.

GlobeSt.com: What has been driving occupier deals in Dallas-Fort Worth?

Gannon: The metroplex has grown tremendously with the recent relocation of several large Fortune 500 companies. We have seen increased activity in the suburban markets including Plano, Frisco and Las Colinas. To attract and retain the top talent, companies continue a flight to quality assets in the urban core of Dallas, as well as those submarkets that offer urban-like amenities and walkability.

GlobeSt.com: What should we expect for DFW in 2020?

Gannon: The US Census shows that more than 130,000 people move to DFW on an annual basis and there’s no indication that will slow down. This population growth will drive multifamily and office development. Similarly, companies will continue to expand and move into the North Texas region. DFW will remain an attractive option for corporate relocations and regional headquarters.

GlobeSt.com: Why were you attracted to Transwestern’s platform?

Gannon: Transwestern has built a reputation in the Dallas-Fort Worth market as a highly entrepreneurial and collaborative firm. The culture and leadership are extremely appealing draws to Transwestern. I have always been impressed with the talented group that Paul Wittorf has assembled.

GlobeSt.com: What will you focus on as senior vice president of occupier solutions at Transwestern?

Gannon: I will continue to assist companies by advising them with lease negotiations, acquisitions/dispositions, sale-leasebacks, portfolio optimization, economic incentives and strategic headquarters locations. Furthermore, I will also explore potential investment and development opportunities on behalf of my clients.

GlobeSt.com: How does your previous experience set you up for success in your new role?

Gannon: Throughout my career, I’ve gained valuable experience working with companies in the co-working arena, legal and oil/gas sectors, as well as providing site selection guidance for headquarters transactions.

GlobeSt.com: What makes the Transwestern occupier solutions group different?

Gannon: Transwestern offers an entrepreneurial environment which enables us to identify the most optimal real estate solution for our clients. Being privately held and nimble allows us to take advantage of dynamic markets conditions. We specialize in mid-market companies that appreciate not just our ability to respond but to anticipate their needs. Our background in local market development provides us with a unique perspective to offer creative solutions.

GlobeSt.com: How has Transwestern been expanding its national occupier solutions capabilities?

Gannon: We have been intentional in hiring seasoned experts in major metros throughout the country so that we can provide insight and reliable guidance at the ground level. By growing this platform under national leadership, our teams are better able to collaborate on multi-market services to drive sophisticated location strategies for clients. In addition to myself, Transwestern in the past year expanded nationally with people like Jason Burch in San Francisco, Justin Himelstein in Phoenix, Kirk Boyd and Michael Wiley in Washington, DC, and Brian Fogelberg in Minnesota.

GlobeSt.com: What are the future plans to continue growing the service line on a national basis?

Gannon: Our experts in the field enable us to provide valuable insight to mid-market and large corporate users. We will continue to focus on growing our local resources to better serve national occupiers in multiple markets. This includes recruiting professionals across the nation, as well as leveraging our partnerships with BNP Paribas Real Estate and Devencore for clients with global requirements. We will remain committed to innovating new ways to help clients grow their business through new technologies, solving for workplace challenges across multiple generations and aligning real estate objectives with business goals.