Retail vet joins Grubb & Ellis

Santa Ana, Calif. Grubb & Ellis Co. announced that Branson Edwards has joined the company as executive VP, managing director of the company’s Retail Occupier Services Group, effective immediately.

Edwards brings 19 years of experience that includes executive positions in the retail and retail real estate services industries.

Based in the Chicago office, Edwards will lead the newly created group, developed to deliver strategic consulting, tenant representation brokerage, asset management, project management, lease administration and facilities management services to retailers nationally.

As part of his responsibility, Edwards will develop the company’s Retail Tenant Representation Practice Group, as well as recruit experienced retail corporate services and tenant representation brokerage professionals throughout the country.

Edwards served as senior VP store development for Blinds To Go and as regional VP and director of real estate at Hollywood Entertainment. In addition, he has held positions in the corporate real estate departments of Boston Chicken and Burger King Corp.