Jess Johnson

Chief Revenue Officer
Executive Team
Tampa, FL
[email protected]

Jess Johnson serves as Chief Revenue Officer for Franklin Street at the firm’s headquarters in Tampa, Fla. In his role, Jess provides leadership to the firm’s integrated business lines on client experience and new business initiatives, oversees training and development activities, and plays a leading role in data and cross-servicing initiatives.

Jess is a commercial real estate advisor and technologist who has led business development, strategic consulting, and real estate brokerage teams at advisory businesses ranging from boutique to global over the last 15 years. Throughout his career, Jess has served the real estate needs of global businesses with his practice spanning portfolio strategy, M&A advisory, occupancy analysis and forecasting, real estate and workplace experience, organizational and process streamlining, and business intelligence and analytics for both public- and private-sector real estate clients.

Prior to joining Franklin Street, Jess led the real estate consulting practice at Tampa-based Vertical Integration, assisting in the eventual sale of the firm to global services provider Savills in 2015. At Savills, Jess led business development efforts for a global team of tenant specialists, helping grow the multi-geography, multi-service practice from $17 million to more than $50 million annually in 4 years. Jess also led go-to-market efforts for Savills client-facing technology platform, Knowledge Cubed, combining data and technology products with tenant representation and other advisory services.

Jess has been a leader in the use of data and technology to enhance real estate experience and optimize real estate decision-making. While spearheading enterprise sales at proptech firm HqO, Jess hosted the Real Estate Experience Forum in locations across the United States, bringing together leading owners, operators and occupiers of commercial real estate to share cutting-edge approaches to improving people’s experience of real estate.

Jess’ work has been published in the Corporate Real Estate Journal and the Journal of AI, Robotics, and Workplace Automation, and he has been a regular presenter at industry thought-leadership events hosted by RealComm, CREtech, CoreNet Global, the Commercial Observer, among others.

Outside of the real estate industry, Jess is president of the University of Florida Alumni Association, where he leads UF’s 90+ Gator Clubs & Affiliate Groups globally comprising more than 485,000 alumni; is the chairman of St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School in Tampa; and was treasurer and a founding board member of two public charter high schools in Tampa serving students who had previously dropped out of high school and helping them get back on track for a fully accredited high school diploma.

ACCOLADES
  • Small Business of the Year, Finalist – Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 2014
  • Outstanding Young Alumnus – University of Florida Division of Student Affairs, 2012
  • Global Innovator’s Award Finalist – CoreNet Global, 2011
  • Up & Comers, Under 30 – Tampa Bay Business Journal, 2011
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
  • Board Member & President – University of Florida Alumni Association, 2014, 2024
  • Board Chairman – St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School
  • Class XXXIII Former Board Member, Leadership Florida
  • Hyde Park United Methodist Church
EDUCATION
  • University of Florida, Master of Science in Real Estate
  • University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Finance
  • University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Journalism

The Franklin Street experience

Hear directly from our clients.

Ralph Smalley
I’ve worked with prominent investors across the spectrum throughout my career and having the ability to deliver tailored solutions, full-service capabilities across the lifecycle of an investment—including in-house insurance services— is a significant advantage and exactly what clients are looking for in today’s opportunity filled market
Chris White
Executive Managing Director
Franklin Street’s people-first approach and integrated platform create a unique opportunity to deliver more than real estate transactions by providing strategic guidance for the entire lifecycle of an occupier’s needs.
Rafael Romero
Regional Managing Director
The collaborative environment and excitement around where Franklin Street is today—and where we are going—is palpable and unlike anything else in our industry. Talent is the heartbeat of this business and we’re going to recruit growth-minded people with a hunger for—and track record of— excellence to join our us.
Chibuzor Nnaji
Senior Managing Director
Franklin Street is a client-focused firm dedicated to delivering best-in-class results through tailored commercial real estate solutions. By integrating investment sales with insurance, property management, and other strategic services, we provide clients with a comprehensive platform that creates a distinct competitive advantage.
Jason Donald
Managing Director
Franklin Street offers what I’ve sought throughout my career—a high growth trajectory and a culture that is unlike any other in our industry. We’re targeting high-impact, institutional deals, and no other firm gives you more tools, talent and support to get it done.
Justin Sturdivant
Regional Managing Director
Franklin Street’s unique and strategic platform provides its producers with the tools we need to exceed client expectations. This, combined with the ability to connect clients with all our services for the entire lifecycle of their assets, will result in better outcomes.