New JLL hire pursues Phoenix business; Waterton chooses next investment chief; Colliers expands Philadelphia team

JLL hired Sean Spellman as managing director in its Phoenix office. The brokerage said Spellman, who has 18 years of office leasing experience, will be part of the firm’s regional agency leasing team.

He has held senior vice president roles in office brokerage, handling marketing and leasing of institutional-level properties throughout the Phoenix region. The Arizona native worked most recently at CBRE, and before that, he worked at Cushman & Wakefield. 

Real estate investment firm Waterton named John Gray as its next managing partner and chief investment officer. The Chicago-based company said Gray will succeed Richard Hurd, who plans to retire from his role as managing partner in charge of investment management after 12 years with the firm. The company said Gray’s official start date is Oct. 6, and that there will be a transition period, as Hurd’s departure is planned for early 2026.

Gray has nearly two decades of investment and development experience, and most recently served as CEO of Fabric Housing, a Blackstone portfolio company, where he led national multifamily development. Prior to that, he worked for more than a decade with the homebuilder, Lennar, where he held several leadership roles. He launched his career with positions at Grandbridge Real Estate Capital and Crescent Communities. 

Colliers added to its Philadelphia regional retail services with the hiring of Sophia Ferguson as an associate. The company said Ferguson will focus on the Center City and Main Line neighborhoods, supporting landlord and tenant leasing clients.

She is an inaugural participant in the Colliers Acceleration Program, a national initiative that cultivates recent graduates and other rising industry professionals through mentorship and hands-on experience with commercial real estate settings. Prior to Colliers, Ferguson held internships in valuations and risk advisory services at JLL and in brokerage with Coldwell Banker Commercial Atlantic.

Multifamily investment and development firm Cortland appointed Carol Hoeller to the newly created position of chief marketing officer. Hoeller joined Cortland after working for 12 years at global hospitality giant IHG Hotels & Resorts, where she led initiatives in investor marketing, global branding, customer experience and design for two premium brands.

Hoeller held earlier roles at firms including Newell Rubbermaid, Home Depot, Pulte Homes and EarthLink. At Cortland, she will focus on areas such as marketing, branding and customer experience, the Atlanta-based company said. She will also oversee marketing aimed at its capital markets audiences, focused on engaging with institutional investors, Cortland said.

Toro Development Co. hired industry veterans David Pugh and Justin Long as vice presidents of development. The Atlanta-based firm said Pugh and Long will oversee site planning, design, construction and related development operations. Both held earlier roles at North American Properties, where they worked with Toro on large mixed-use projects in the Atlanta region.

Pugh has more than 35 years of experience in multifamily and mixed-use development, having previously served in senior roles at Post Properties, Camden, Summit, Davis Development and most recently North American Properties. Long has over 20 years of experience in commercial construction and development, serving in earlier positions at Crescent Communities and Seefried Industrial Properties.