Newmark Adds Four Industrial Real Estate Leasing Specialists to Expand Atlanta Advisory Capabilities

Newmark has added four industrial leasing specialists to its Atlanta operations, the firm announced March 16, 2026, expanding its advisory capabilities in one of the Southeast's most active logistics and distribution markets.

Michael Bennett and Jim Bob Taylor join as Vice Chairmen, while Kaleigh Schlosser and Matt Skole join as Senior Managing Directors. Bennett and Taylor previously worked at Cresa, where they were recognized as Top 25 Producers company-wide and ranked among the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors' Top 10 Industrial Tenant-Rep Producers in 2024. The team will also be supported by newly hired Transaction Manager Tony LaScola.

Industrial Real Estate Experience and Specializations

Taylor brings nearly 40 years of commercial real estate experience and approximately 50 million square feet of industrial leasing and sales transactions. Bennett adds a decade of experience with over 22 million square feet of industrial leasing and sales transactions, along with a data-driven advisory approach. Schlosser and Skole contribute an additional 15 years of combined experience.

The team advises both industrial occupiers and owners, with specializations that include site selection, build-to-suits, lease negotiations, sale-leasebacks, owner-occupied real estate acquisitions and dispositions, and portfolio consolidations.

"Atlanta continues to emerge as one of the most competitive industrial markets in the country, and clients are increasingly looking for advisors who can deliver speed, creativity, and national reach," said Ran Holman, Executive Vice President and Southeast Market Leader at Newmark. "This group of high-impact advisors bring exceptional execution capabilities, strong client relationships, and an approach that aligns perfectly with Newmark's focus on delivering sophisticated industrial solutions."

"Industrial leasing fundamentals across the Southeast remain supported by durable infrastructure investment and sustained occupier demand," said Liz Hart, President of Leasing for North America at Newmark. "As Atlanta continues to attract long-term supply chain growth, these additions strengthen our ability to capitalize on the region's momentum and deliver strategic leasing outcomes for clients."

Atlanta Industrial Market Conditions

The hiring comes as Atlanta's industrial real estate market demonstrates resilient fundamentals. According to Newmark Research, Atlanta recorded 7.6 million square feet of net absorption in the fourth quarter of 2025, driving vacancy down 80 basis points quarter-over-quarter to 8.9%. The firm characterized Atlanta as a high-velocity logistics and distribution hub anchored by large-format occupier activity and long-term growth drivers.

Newmark's Broader Southeast Expansion

The industrial real estate hire is part of a broader effort by Newmark to build out its Southeast platform across multiple property types. The firm has made a series of strategic additions in the Atlanta market, including Ryan Bellows in industrial capital markets, Conor Lalor in retail capital markets, Christopher Lyon and Brooks Colquitt in multifamily real estate, and Jay O'Meara, Justin Parsonnet, and Ryan Reethof in office real estate.

The addition of Bennett, Taylor, Schlosser, and Skole to the industrial leasing practice extends that footprint further into one of the firm's targeted growth areas.

Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK) is a publicly traded commercial real estate services firm offering advisory, leasing, capital markets, and property management services across property types including industrial, multifamily, office, and retail real estate.