Michael Colacino Takes the Helm as CEO of JLL's Americas Leasing Advisory Division

Strategic Leadership Transition at JLL

On January 7, 2026, JLL, a top global firm in commercial real estate services, disclosed significant leadership changes within its Americas Leasing Advisory branch. Michael Colacino has been appointed CEO of the Americas Leasing Advisory, taking over from John Gates, who will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the same division. This change will officially be effective as of January 15, 2026.

Karen Brennan, CEO of JLL’s global Leasing Advisory business, remarked on the leadership shift, stating, "These appointments position our Americas leasing business for continued growth and innovation." She emphasized that Colacino's extensive leadership experience and his strategic approach would be critical in advancing the business, whereas Gates’ new role as Executive Chairman will utilize his substantial market relationships and industry experience.

Gates has played a pivotal role in the growth of JLL in the Americas. His tenure saw significant expansions in leasing capabilities and the establishment of JLL's industrial and logistics sector. Moreover, he pioneered JLL University, a highly respected training initiative aimed at developing talent within the firm, while also reinforcing traditions that celebrate employee achievements within the company and the wider community. Reflecting on his time as CEO, Gates expressed pride in building a top-tier team of leasing professionals while acknowledging the excitement of concentrating more on client relationships in his forthcoming role.

Michael Colacino, an experienced leader in the real estate industry, joined JLL in 2023 as the President of Tri-State Brokerage. With over three decades of experience, he previously led an executive buyout at Studley, serving as its President until it was acquired by Savills in 2014. His roles at Savills included heading US operations and serving on the company's Global Executive Board. After leaving Savills, Colacino founded Haiku Partners, a proptech investment firm in 2019, and then took on leadership roles at SquareFoot.

His wealth of knowledge about client needs and market dynamics, along with skills in data management, AI, and technology, makes him a well-suited leader for the Americas leasing division. "I’m honored to lead our talented Americas leasing team and build on John’s tremendous success," commented Colacino. He aims to leverage JLL’s advanced technology and data analytics capabilities to provide enhanced insights that can inform strategic real estate decisions leading to impressive outcomes for clients.

Gates and Colacino will collaborate closely to ensure that the transition is seamless while maintaining the high standards of service and results that JLL’s leasing clients expect throughout the Americas. This transition reflects JLL’s broader commitment to innovation and excellence in the rapidly evolving commercial real estate market.

About JLL

Established over 200 years ago, JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading global real estate and investment management firm. With revenues hitting an impressive $23.4 billion and operations in over 80 countries, JLL combines local expertise with a robust international platform, helping clients with their real estate needs across various sectors including commercial, industrial, residential, and retail. Their commitment to driving positive change in real estate reflects their mission to shape a brighter future for clients, employees, and communities as a whole.