Atlanta Office Sees Big Changes in Leadership
Atlanta has been buzzing with news lately as Savills, a well-known player in the commercial real estate scene, has made some significant shifts in their leadership team. After nearly a decade of service, Chris White, who has been with Savills for nearly 10 years, has stepped away from his position. White recently confirmed to the world, through an email, that he has left Savills, where he was serving as the vice chairman and Atlanta market leader.
A Fond Farewell
White’s departure from Savills is described as amicable. He expressed gratitude for the time spent with the company, noting, “I have greatly enjoyed my almost 10 years with Savills. We have accomplished so much together.” That’s quite the positive sentiment for someone leaving a position! He added that he’s excited about new opportunities ahead, stating, “The best is yet to come.”
Before his time at Savills, White was a part of Cassidy Turley before it was acquired by DTZ. That company then merged with Cushman & Wakefield back in 2015. Shortly after this merger, White transitioned to Savills, taking on the role of market leader for Atlanta.
New Blood at Savills
As one door closes, another opens. Savills has brought in Dan Granot, a co-owner of a popular local commercial brokerage, Joel & Granot, to fill the role of executive managing director for their Atlanta office. Granot shared the news on LinkedIn but has since removed his announcement. However, he still lists Savills as his current employer on the platform. Surprisingly, Granot has refrained from making any public comments regarding his new position.
The impact of Granot’s departure from Joel & Granot remains to be seen. Granot, along with Alan Joel, co-founded the company back in 2010. Joel has also chosen to stay quiet about the situation. In response to questions regarding Granot’s arrival at Savills, White assured that it was not linked to his resignation, keeping the waters calm amidst the changes.
Granot’s Background
Dan Granot has quite the impressive history in the industry. He began his career in 1989 with the renowned Atlanta firm Richard Bowers & Co.. Throughout the years, he has held various roles, including stints at Insignia/ESG—a company that was acquired by CBRE—and GVA Advantis, which unfortunately shut down in 2009 due to circumstances beyond their control.
In 2008, Granot took the bull by the horns and started his own brokerage firm. In a little over a year, he merged with Joel to create Joel & Granot. Throughout his career, Granot has played a vital role in significant commercial deals, such as facilitating RaceTrac Petroleum’s headquarters move to Atlanta, assisting Weissman PC with their lease at One Alliance Center in Buckhead, and even helping Popeyes‘ parent company relocate its headquarters to Dunwoody.
The Road Ahead
These leadership changes at Savills signal a dynamic shift within the commercial real estate landscape in Atlanta. As Chris White embarks on a new chapter in his career, there’s no doubt that his imprint on Savills and the real estate community will be felt for years to come. Meanwhile, with Dan Granot stepping onto this new stage, the team at Savills is gearing up for fresh opportunities and challenges ahead.
As Atlanta continues to grow and evolve, it’ll be exciting to see how these changes shape the future of commercial real estate in this bustling city!
