JLL Hires Brandon Keesee and Promotes Michael Martin to Lead Data Center and Critical Environments Practice

CHICAGO, May 1, 2026 — JLL has appointed Brandon Keesee as Managing Director of Hyperscale and Colocation Data Centers and promoted Michael Martin to Managing Director of Data Center Operations within its Data Center and Critical Environments practice, the firm announced Thursday. The moves come as the data center sector faces a projected 14% compound annual growth rate globally through 2030, according to JLL's 2026 Global Data Center Outlook.

New Leadership Roles in a Rapidly Expanding Sector

In his new role, Keesee will be responsible for driving growth strategies, fostering client relationships and leading teams to deliver facility management solutions across JLL's data center platform. Martin, who joined JLL in 2025, will provide executive leadership for data center operations across colocation, enterprise and hyperscale portfolios, with accountability for operational culture and performance focused on safety, security and reliability.

"Brandon and Michael represent the caliber of leadership required to navigate the extraordinary growth and complexities facing the data center industry," said Matt Landek, Global Division President, Data Centers and Critical Environments at JLL. "They are both Navy veterans who exemplify the discipline, strategic thinking and operational excellence sharpened through years of service in mission-critical environments. Brandon's proven track record in developing facility management solutions and Michael's deep expertise in hyperscale environments position JLL to deliver unmatched service quality and leadership as the sector continues its remarkable expansion."

Executive Backgrounds: From Submarines to Hyperscale

Keesee holds a Certified Facility Manager (CFM) designation and is an Uptime Institute Accredited Data Center Tier Specialist. He brings more than 20 years of experience in facility management, data center operations and construction leadership. He most recently served as Data Center Operations Leader at Apple, where he provided global leadership for multi-site operations. Prior to Apple, he held senior leadership positions at BGIS and Aligned Energy, where he managed portfolios comprising hundreds of millions of square feet and led large teams of highly skilled operations professionals. His career also includes service aboard the USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21), a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine in the U.S. Navy.

Martin brings 40 years of leadership experience in mission-critical, 24/7 operating environments. Since joining JLL in 2025, he led the deployment and operational standup of a client's gigawatt campus, which required rapidly developing a talent pipeline in remote markets and establishing third-party service partnerships. Prior to JLL, Martin served as Senior Director at Microsoft, where he oversaw operations across nearly two dozen owned and leased data center sites. He served in the United States Navy's Submarine Force, advancing from enlisted Nuclear Machinist Mate to Navy Captain, and commanded the USS SAN JUAN (SSN 751), a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine.

Market Context: Data Center Sector on Track to Double

The appointments arrive at a pivotal moment for the data center industry. According to JLL's 2026 Global Data Center Outlook, the sector is projected to add nearly 100 gigawatts of new capacity through 2030, effectively doubling in size over a five-year period. This rapid expansion is creating significant operational challenges, including the need for innovative energy solutions to ease grid constraints, advanced cooling technologies to support artificial intelligence workloads and more sophisticated facility management strategies for efficient operations.

About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) reported annual revenue of $26.1 billion and operates in more than 80 countries with a global workforce of more than 113,000 as of March 31, 2026. The firm's commercial real estate services span office, industrial, hotel, multifamily, retail and data center property types. Through its LaSalle Investment Management division, JLL also invests on behalf of clients in both private assets and publicly traded real estate securities.

JLL's Data Center and Critical Environments practice helps organizations optimize their real estate and facilities management strategies to support their objectives.