Jennifer Watson — Senior Managing Director at Newmark

Mrs. Jennifer Watson has been Senior Managing Director of Newmark Knight Frank (NKF) since October 01, 2013. Mrs. Watson joined Newmark Knight Frank Retail in 2013 as a Senior Managing Director to focus on the management of its national franchise retail practice. Mrs. Watson has experience in spearheading the strategic rollout and expansion of company-owned and franchise retail outlets in hundreds of U.S. markets. She has 16 years of real estate experience. His areas of specialization includes Franchise Retail Operations, National Franchise Strategy and Franchise Rollout and Expansion. A proven leader in the representation of fast-growing national and international businesses, Ms. Watson's appointment supports NKF's burgeoning national retail advisory services and its ability to offer more specialized expertise, unique tools and customized solutions to both existing clients and new retail concepts. Prior to NKF, she served as Vice President of National Real Estate Solutions at Baum Realty Group, where she developed and implemented site selection and advisory services for a number of clients across a range of industries seeking to increase their national footprint. She was a Sales Manager for Pulte Homes Corp., where she developed and managed master-planned communities. Ms. Watson serves as a Board Member of Gateway Green. She serves as co-chair for the Women's Franchise Network Chicago chapter. In addition, she is a member of the Franchise Business Network (FBN), International Franchise Association (IFA), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Commercial Real Estate Women Network (CREW). She has contributed to a number of industry publications, including Franchise Times, Franchise World and Shopping Centers Today. She was one of the company's top producers with more than $100 million in sales. Ms. Watson earned a B.A. in finance with a minor in mathematics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.