CLEVELAND – December 16, 2014 – The Richard E. Jacobs Group (“The Jacobs Group”) announced today that its executive vice president, Doug Miller, will succeed Jud Smith as president and chief executive officer effective January 1, 2015. Smith will continue to serve on the board of directors as non-executive chairman.
“Jud’s leadership, dedication and vision have been instrumental to the success of The Jacobs Group,” said Miller. “I look forward to working with him in this new capacity to continue the success of the Jacobs Group in the real estate industry.”
Since joining The Jacobs Group in 1978, Miller has directed development, sales and lease transactions exceeding $1 billion in value. As executive vice president, Miller has been responsible for all aspects of office and mixed-use property development, leasing and management of all Jacobs-owned and/or managed office and mixed-use structures. He is also a licensee of Jacobs Real Estate Services, an affiliate of The Jacobs Group. He began his career with The Jacobs Group as internal audit manager and later directed development efforts for peripheral land sites at Jacobs-owned properties across the country. Miller is a member of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, International Council of Shopping Centers and Ohio Bar Association, and serves on the boards of the Downtown Cleveland Improvement Corporation and the Group Plan Commission. He holds a bachelor’s degree and J.D. degree from Cleveland State University.
“It has been a privilege to lead The Jacobs Group, but I know I’m leaving it in good hands,” said Smith. “With more than 35 years of committed service to our company, Doug is remarkably well equipped to guide the continued success and evolution of The Jacobs Group, allowing for a professional and seamless transition of leadership.”
Smith’s retirement will bring to a close a career of nearly 30 years with the company. Prior to joining The Jacobs Group in 1987, he served as senior vice president of Midland-Ross Corporation. Smith is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and Financial Executives Institute, and serves as trustee of Applewood Centers and the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes.
About The Richard E. Jacobs Group
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the Richard E. Jacobs Group is one of the nation’s premier developers of commercial real estate, with more than 60 years of experience. Founded in 1955, the company was an early pioneer of the enclosed, regional shopping center concept and developed some of the nation’s first and most successful regional malls. Its independent affiliate, Jacobs Real Estate Services, provides comprehensive brokerage, leasing and management services for owners of office buildings, specialized-use facilities and mixed-use developments. For more information, visit rejacobsgroup.com and jresgroup.com.
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JRES is a fully integrated third-party commercial real estate firm serving land and property owners. As an affiliate of The Richard E. Jacobs Group, JRES leverages nearly 60 years of experience and an owner’s perspective to maximize the value of its clients’ commercial real estate. At JRES, this experience means everything to our clients.