Jana Langston is a Principal of Sight on Site, LLC. During her career, she has helped corporate, institutional and private clients enhance property value and utilize real estate assets more effectively to achieve overall business objectives.
She draws on 25 years of commercial real estate experience with a particular emphasis on real estate asset and investment management.
Prior to forming the firm, Ms. Langston consulted for several colleges to identify ways to save between 8% and 12% of operating expenses. She began consulting after her assignment as Director of Asset Management/ Chief Administrative Officer for MB Real Estate, a Chicago-based commercial real estate firm. . Ms. Langston was responsible for all aspects of property and facility management, including administration, client service and interface, and the strategic growth of the firm’s Asset Management division. She reduced costs by over 12% in the first year of her tenure.
Prior to joining MB Real Estate, Ms. Langston served as Senior Vice President at Jones Lang LaSalle and Chief Administrative Officer, Americas at LaSalle Investment Management. Her responsibilities included managing $2.4 billion of real estate assets for institutional clients, determining the strategy and repositioning needed to maximize returns, directing all functions associated with selling, financing, operating, and managing outside partnerships, and reporting. In total, she managed over 43 Million square feet, more than 1,500 facilities and over 600 employees.
Major Accomplishments
Managed portfolios/assets worth $2.4 Billion including one with 6.3 million square feet valued at $710 million
Raised NOI by 13 percentage points during the first three years on one portfolio; achieved total returns of over 20% on the largest fund
Obtained a 13.7% unleveraged return on an asset held for less than 14 months
Exceeded expectations to liquidate two funds worth over $1 Billion - reduced them by 50% after one year/ 80% after two years
Successfully positioned and negotiated the sales of more than 25 properties for over $500 million – at least 10% above expected prices
Supervised the signing of approximately 900,000 sf of leases each year.
Prepared 85 strategic plans for properties and portfolios
Coordinated the takeover of, and standardized procedures for several funds including one $500 million French fund, one $3 billion UK fund and one fund with 35 properties
Reported to Trustees, the Investment Committee, over 50 institutional clients, and more than 40,000 individual investors
Designed, developed and implemented strategic plans, investor reports, and operating and capital budgets reflecting client needs for several funds
Developed operating protocols and best practices for core management practices, accounting, purchasing, operations and life safety – for both staff and tenants
Implemented a new performance review system to improve accountability and identify training goals.
Increased the value of a 500,000 square foot building by almost 50%
Coordinated several renovations including a $20 million office building redevelopment, a shopping center “face lift,” and numerous office building overhauls
Education, Memberships, & Certifications
MBA, University of Texas
BA, University of Texas
Commercial Real Estate Executive Women (CREW) of Chicago, Programs Co-Chair 2009
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), Instructor: Foundations of Real Estate Management
Adjunct Faculty Member, The Real Estate Center at DePaul University; also conduct seminar: Commercial Leasing: Office, Industrial and Retail
President, Friends of the Wheaton Public Library 2009-2010
CoreNet Chicago Board member 2007-2008
Professional Women’s Club of Chicago (PWCC) Board Member 2006-2008
HELP (Help Ease Local Poverty) Miracle on State Street Committee 2006-2007
