Franklin Partners welcomes James Cleary as portfolio project manager

Chicago-based real estate investment firm Franklin Partners has hired James Cleary as portfolio project manager, in a role that includes chief engineer management responsibilities across the firm’s Illinois buildings. In this new role, Cleary will oversee all capital and tenant improvement projects, participate in due diligence for future asset acquisitions, supervise engineering new hires for future assets, and coordinate the development of best practices for building engineers throughout the firm and its buildings.

Before joining Franklin Partners, Cleary served as chief engineer in multiple high-profile Chicagoland office buildings: MetroWest (55 Shuman Blvd. in Naperville), also with Franklin Partners; Chicago’s historic Tribune Tower, with JLL’s property management group and most recently, 200 W. Adams (downtown Chicago), also with JLL. In each of these positions, Cleary implemented training programs for apprentice engineers, led various building improvement projects on time and under budget, and ensured all facilities incorporated industry best practices.

“We are thrilled that James will be a leader to all our engineers, and bring his depth of experience to our wide-ranging Illinois portfolio,” said Ray Warner, principal, Franklin Partners. “His extensive experience in the building engineering and maintenance space, as well as his proven determination and leadership abilities, will make him a strong asset to our team.”

Cleary earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Benedictine University as well as an associate degree in management from College of DuPage.