Each year, Midwest Real Estate News highlights the top CRE pros from across the Midwest in its Midwest CRE Hall of Fame issue. This year, we are posting these profiles online, too, in the hope that you learn from them what it takes to be a CRE star. This week, we highlight the career of John Boll, senior director with the Columbus, Ohio, office of Cushman & Wakefield.
A top performer: Cushman & Wakefield’s John Boll has built a reputation as one of the busiest brokers in the Columbus market. And why not? Boll has during his career closed deals of all sizes for his clients, negotiating more than 750 lease and sale transactions with a total of more than $2 billion.
Big-name deals: With so many deals to his name, it’s little surprise that Boll has closed some of the biggest transactions in the Columbus market. For instance, he helped client DSW purchase a 400,000-square-foot headquarters and 1.6-million-square-foot distribution center. He also worked with Kirco on that company’s 325,000-square-foot sale.
Other big deals that Boll has closed include a 232,000-square-foot lease for York and 200,000-square-foot lease for BMW.
Award-winner: Because of these big deals, Boll has earned several honors during his commercial real estate career. He was named the top producer at Columbus Commercial Realty/Cushman & Wakefield from 2000 through 2005 and a top producer at Cushman & Wakefield from 2006 through 2009 and again from 2011 through 2013. Boll earned a spot in the Columbus Realtors Top 10 in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2013.
And in 2008, Boll earned one of the top honors at Cushman & Wakefield, the Dorsey Circle of Excellence award, given to the top broker at Cushman & Wakefield nationwide.
Never taking it for granted: Boll didn’t just stumble into this award-winning career. He’s worked hard to close deals and build a steady stream of clients.
Boll never shortchanges his clients. And he’s always honest with them. This, combined with his deep market knowledge, has proved to be a recipe for success for this veteran broker.
“I recognized early that the phone doesn’t ring if you are not out working to make it happen,” Boll said. “I also learned that no fee is worth your bending on your integrity.”
Lifelong learning: Another reason for Boll’s success? He takes the time to study his industry, including learning about new companies that are exploring the Columbus area.
The goal? To bring the knowledge clients need to make the best real estate decisions.
“I enjoy learning about many different companies and industries, and helping them mold a real estate solution to complement their unique needs,” Boll said.
