Brett Gray Joins CBRE Atlanta Leadership Team as David Lanier Prepares to Retire After 30-Year Career

CBRE has expanded the role of Carolinas Market Leader Brett Gray to include leadership responsibilities for the firm's Atlanta Advisory Services platform, the company announced Sept. 9. The move comes as Senior Managing Director David Lanier prepares to retire at the end of 2026 following a 30-year career in commercial real estate, more than 20 of which were spent with CBRE.

Gray will work alongside John Ferguson, President of CBRE Advisory Services in Atlanta, and Betts Ervin, Managing Director, to lead the Atlanta market while retaining managerial oversight of the Carolinas. He is scheduled to relocate from Charlotte to Atlanta in January 2027.

Expanded Scope Across the Southeast

Gray joined CBRE in November 2024 as Charlotte Market Leader, overseeing all Advisory Services lines of business in that market, including leasing, sales, debt and structured finance, valuation, and property management. His remit expanded in mid-2025 to include all Carolinas markets, with Tennessee added later that year.

In his new capacity, Gray will work with Atlanta leadership to guide the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of Atlanta's Advisory Services lines of business — leasing, sales, valuations, and debt and structured finance — across all property types. The combined geography positions one executive over Atlanta, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, consolidating CBRE's leadership footprint across several of the Southeast's most active commercial real estate markets.

"When Brett joined CBRE two years ago, we recognized his potential to take on broader leadership responsibilities. Since then, he has shown how strong a leader he is: consistently delivering results, growing the teams in his regions, and fostering a culture centered on collaboration and client service," said Pete Schippits, Group President, Advisory Services, East Region. "His expanded role reflects the confidence we have in his leadership and our commitment to the continued growth of Atlanta and the Carolinas."

Lanier's Legacy in Atlanta

Lanier joined CBRE through the firm's acquisition of Trammell Crow Company and has led the Atlanta Investor Services platform, which encompasses agency leasing, property management, capital markets, and debt and structured finance across Georgia and Alabama. Over more than two decades, he built client relationships and helped grow CBRE's market position in the Southeast.

Beyond business performance, Lanier is credited internally with mentoring professionals across CBRE's Atlanta brokerage teams.

"David has made an extraordinary impact on CBRE and the broader industry throughout his 30-year career," said Ferguson. "His leadership, commitment to our clients and dedication to mentorship across our brokerage teams helped shape our Atlanta business and strengthened our position across the Southeast. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and look forward to celebrating his remarkable career in the months ahead."

Market Context: Advisory Services Growth and Atlanta Fundamentals

The leadership transition arrives as CBRE's Advisory Services segment has posted strong financial results. In the second quarter of 2026, the segment generated approximately $2.31 billion in revenue, up roughly 18% year-over-year, with segment operating profit rising around 29%. Global leasing revenue climbed 24% during the period, with U.S. office leasing up 29% and industrial leasing up 17%. Property sales revenue rose approximately 20% over the same period.

Atlanta's office market has also shown renewed momentum. The second quarter of 2026 marked the city's strongest quarter of office activity in four years, with net absorption of 543,000 square feet, up 11.2% year-over-year.

CBRE's overall revenue reached approximately $11.2 billion in Q2 2026, up 16% year-over-year, with core earnings per share rising 30% to $1.56.

Leadership Structure Going Forward

With Gray's addition, CBRE Atlanta's Advisory Services leadership team will consist of Ferguson as market president, Ervin as managing director, and Gray in his expanded role. Lanier's planned departure at year-end 2026 will mark the close of a tenure that spanned two decades of growth in the Atlanta market.

Gray's physical relocation to Atlanta is set for January 2027, though his involvement with the Atlanta leadership team begins immediately under the terms of the announcement.

Sources

CBRE Press Release: Brett Gray Joins CBRE Atlanta Leadership Team Following CBRE-Veteran David Lanier's Planned Retirement