An experienced leader, Gonzales will focus on growing the firm’s talent and market share in North Florida
JACKSONVILLE, FL (July 30, 2021) – Franklin Street is pleased to announce Laura Gonzales, a veteran of the capital markets industry and experienced commercial real estate leader, has been named Regional Managing Director of the firm’s Jacksonville office. In this role, Gonzales is responsible for overseeing and growing all aspects of the firm’s business in the North Florida market, including leasing, investment sales, capital markets, insurance, project management and property management.
In addition to providing strategic oversight for the various business lines, Gonzales is also heavily focused on recruitment. Franklin Street is actively hiring experienced investment sales professionals specializing in office, industrial, multifamily and retail, as well as leasing professionals specializing in office and industrial landlord and tenant representation.
“I am honored by the opportunity to lead this incredible team and look forward to expanding our firm’s market share, enhancing brand awareness of our full-service capabilities, and building upon our existing strength by adding talented, diverse individuals to our Jacksonville team. We are actively seeking experienced investment sales brokers for industrial, multifamily, office and retail,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales joined Franklin Street in December 2019 as a Director, leading the firm’s Jacksonville Capital Markets business. In 2020 — her first full year with the company — she ranked as a top producer, secured several significant new business opportunities, grew her team with multiple successful new hires, and closed record-setting capital markets transactions for the firm. She continues to serve as Director of Capital Markets, representing clients in the origination and placement of debt and equity for all types of real estate assets, in addition to her new Regional Managing Director role.
Before joining Franklin Street, Gonzales had a 20-year career as a lender, most recently serving as Vice President/Senior Relationship Manager at TD Bank. She also held senior executive positions with BBVA Compass and Bank of America.
“Laura is someone who truly lives by Franklin Street’s core values of accountability, collaboration, integrity, hard work and innovation,” said Andrew Wright, CEO and Managing Partner of Franklin Street. “Since joining our firm, she has proven herself to be a natural leader, already making an immense impact within our Capital Markets business, and we look forward to seeing all she accomplishes in this new role leading our Jacksonville team.”
Often recognized for her leadership and talent, Gonzales was named a “Woman of Influence” by both Globe Street and the Jacksonville Business Journal in 2021 and received Connect Commercial Real Estate’s “Women in Real Estate Award” in 2020. She was also recently honored with the “Member to Member Award” by CREW Jacksonville, where she is a past President and continues to serve on a variety of committees, as well as the “Distinguished Service Award” by NAIOP Northeast Florida, where she serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors.
Further, Gonzales is highly involved with ULI North Florida, serving as Chair of the organization’s Sponsorship Committee, as well as a member of its Affordable Housing, Urban Planning and Membership committees. She is also active with Leadership Jacksonville, as a Class of 2018 graduate, member of the Program Day Planning Committee and Co-Chair of the Poverty Day Committee. Additionally, she is a mentor for ICSC, former board member and active volunteer and donor of the Pace Center for Girls Jacksonville, and an active supporter of both the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Best Buddies.
Within Franklin Street, she serves on the firm’s Diversity Committee, working to develop and improve upon important diversity and inclusion initiatives, and recently completed the firm’s class of 2020 “Inside Lane” leadership program.
In addition to appointing Gonzales to this new role, Franklin Street also recently relocated its Jacksonville office to the rapidly growing submarket of San Marco, which provides the firm with strategic proximity to the city’s urban core, along with the space needed to accommodate its continued growth. The building, owned by Jacksonville-based Corner Lot Development, is located at 1611 Atlantic Blvd.
“The Jacksonville market is overall very strong, and we expect the urban core, especially, to experience exceptional growth in the coming years,” Gonzales added. “This move to San Marco aligns with our firm’s goals and growth needs, while putting us closer to the action and where our clients want to be located.”
About Franklin Street:
Founded in 2006 during one of the toughest real estate climates, Franklin Street focused on delivering value-added solutions to meet the evolving needs of clients. Through a collaborative philosophy of leveraging the resources, expertise and experience of each of its lines of business, Franklin Street has grown to include seven business divisions – Investment Sales, Tenant and Landlord Representation, Capital Advisory, Insurance, Property Management and Project Management. With more than $5 billion in transaction value across all major product types, Franklin Street offers unmatched value and optimal solutions for clients nationwide. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., the company has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and Atlanta. Learn more about Franklin Street at FranklinSt.com.
