JLL is making a change in leadership of its energy and renewables real estate practice at a time when the Biden administration is spotlighting corporations committed to using renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gases.
The brokerage said Executive Managing Director Louis Rosenthal will succeed Bruce Rutherford as the lead of the group that advises energy companies. Rutherford, an international director with the brokerage, plans to retire from JLL after spending four decades there.
Rosenthal, based in Houston, will assume his new role as JLL’s director and national leader of the energy and renewables group on Jan. 1. In his new role, he will lead the JLL team that consults with corporations in the energy, renewables and utilities industries on how to “optimize their real estate portfolios,” according to a JLL statement.
JLL's leadership change comes as the federal government and several large commercial real estate firms have pledged to reduce emissions from buildings. Last week, the Biden administration announced the first Federal Building Performance Standard that set a goal to cut energy use and electrify equipment and appliances in 30% of space owned by the federal government by 2030. The standard is part of President Biden’s goal of all federal buildings achieving net zero emissions by 2045.
In September 2020, JLL announced the next stage in its sustainability program by committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions across all JLL-occupied buildings by 2030.
Rosenthal brings 35 years of industry experience to the role, including the past 23 years with JLL, where he has specialized in tenant representation.
Part of Rosenthal’s new role will also include him and his team “providing the latest technology and support tools necessary to develop a new workplace essential to retain and attract talent,” JLL said.
Rosenthal said Rutherford has created a strong foundation for the energy practice that will help JLL expand it.
“Bruce has spent almost 20 years focused on the energy industry and contributing to JLL’s overall growth,” Rosenthal said in a statement.
Opened New Markets
Rutherford plans to leave JLL after joining the company in 1983. He took over as the lead of JLL’s global energy and renewables practice group nine years ago.
Rutherford is a “well-known authority on the energy industry,” JLL said.
Throughout his career Rutherford opened and led several new markets and businesses in North America.
He also "initiated, designed and led tenant representation in the Asia Pacific region" and played an instrumental role in JLL’s merger with The Staubach Co., JLL said.
As a broker and adviser, Rutherford negotiated several corporate site selections and transactions that involved a total of over 40 million square feet of space for corporate and regional headquarters, according to JLL.
“It’s been my pleasure to spend the last four decades at JLL building teams and partnering with the best people in the industry,” Rutherford in a statement. “Louis has deep experience in representing and advising companies in the energy, renewables and utilities industries.”