Since he was a boy admiring Chicago’s skyline, Jesse Miranda has been fascinated by the city’s built environment. Now Miranda is a senior associate and key industrial broker for Bradford Allen, a full-service commercial real estate firm based in Chicago with offices across the U.S.
In this position, Miranda tours potential industrial megasites across the country and helps companies find their next location.
Miranda’s expertise in site selection, infrastructure development and incentive negotiation positions him as a trusted advisor for national companies in high-growth sectors, including battery and electric vehicle manufacturing, as well as data centers.
Here’s a look at Miranda’s career and his future goals.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I’ve been fascinated with real estate since I was a little kid living in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. There were a lot of industrial buildings in that area. I looked at buildings going up during drives with my parents and thought, “They’re super cool.”
After I became a licensed real estate broker in 2017, I quickly realized residential real estate was not the right fit for my career goals, and commercial real estate might be a better choice. Many insightful discussions with established commercial real estate professionals helped me pursue my career in this industry.
I had the opportunity to work at Hansen Realty on Chicago’s North Side, where I focused on investments, redevelopments and multifamily assets. During my time there, I spoke with Ronan Remandaban at Bradford Allen, and I thought that industrial real estate was exactly where I wanted to be. I believe industrial real estate is the backbone of the economy—it drives job creation, supply chain efficiency, and business growth across industries.
Did you have a mentor who helped you get on your feet, or is there someone you turn to now for support?
I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by hardworking people my entire life, but my biggest inspiration has always been my parents. They immigrated to the U.S. in the 1980s and worked tirelessly to instill in me and my siblings the values of resilience, adaptability and discipline—lessons that continue to shape me today. I still turn to them for guidance, and my wife has also been an incredible source of strength and encouragement.
Professionally, mentorship has been essential to my growth, and I’ve made it a point to seek out people I can learn from at every stage. I’m especially grateful for Ronan Remandaban, executive managing director at Bradford Allen. From day one, Ronan has taken an active role in my development. His insight and support have accelerated my learning curve by years. More than that, he’s treated me like a true partner—something I deeply appreciate.
Walk me through a typical day. What types of deals are you working on these days?
I’m sure you hear it all the time, but no two days are the same. This morning, for example, I was on a call at 10 a.m. about a megasite opportunity that spans nearly 1,000 acres. Later, I toured the south suburban market with a manufacturing client looking for 20,000 square feet of space.
There are days I could be two hours away from my office, having lunch with a farmer, discussing their land and the opportunities that come with that. Then there are days I spend maybe 10-plus hours in the office working on deals, paperwork and business.
What I enjoy most is the fast pace, the critical thinking, the dealmaking and the relationships we make.
What do you hope to work on that you haven’t already?
We’re currently working on a megasite I mentioned earlier and hoping to bring it to market soon. The broader goal is to have multiple sites across different states for our clients.
How do you like to spend your free time?
My free time used to be for me, but now it’s for my 18-month-old son. When I do have free time I mainly just exercise and stay active. During the summer that means biking, hiking and anything outdoors. During the winter it’s the gym and basketball.
Where do you bike?
These days, I mostly bike at Waterfall Glen out in Darien, Illinois, but the (Chicago) lakefront is always pretty fun.
Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
