Franklin Street, a full-service commercial real estate and insurance services firm, has named Matthew Harrell Chief Executive Officer. Harrell, who has been with Franklin Street since 2009, most recently serving as Chief Revenue Officer, will lead the Tampa, Florida-headquartered company in its continued growth with a focus on national expansion.
Harrell steps into the role of Franklin Street’s top executive following a record 2021, in which the firm achieved nearly 50 percent organic revenue growth and over $1.43 billion in total transaction value.
As the firm’s second CEO, Harrell succeeds Andrew Wright, who founded Franklin Street in 2006 and will remain Chairman of its Board of Directors. Under Wright’s leadership, Franklin Street became an industry leading privately held commercial real estate company with over 300 professionals and offices in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, Atlanta and Chicago. Today, the firm boasts nearly $7 billion in transaction value and provides a sophisticated scope of services to top commercial real estate owners, investors, developers and occupiers across the country.
“Over the past 13 years, no one has been as integral to Franklin Street’s growth, success and quality of culture as Matt Harrell,” Wright said. “As we enter this exciting new period of growth, I have full confidence he is the right person to lead us forward, while upholding the values that have made Franklin Street what it is today. There is unlimited potential for what we can accomplish in the coming years, and I am excited to see Matt lead us there.”
In his previous role as Chief Revenue Officer, Harrell oversaw all aspects of Franklin Street’s growth initiatives including business development, M&A, recruiting and training. Before entering that role in 2021, he served as Managing Director of Franklin Street’s Insurance Services division where he was responsible for overseeing its national accounts team and helped establish insurance as the firm’s largest and highest revenue-producing business line. He has also served on Franklin Street’s Board of Directors since 2012, providing strategic guidance on the long-term vision and trajectory of the company.
As CEO, Harrell will leverage his experience growing national business and developing top-producing teams to implement a national market expansion strategy. In launching this endeavor, Franklin Street is actively seeking recruitment and acquisition opportunities in high-growth U.S. markets with an initial focus on Dallas, Houston, Austin, Nashville and Charlotte.
Harrell will also oversee the continued growth of Franklin Street’s collaborative, cross-functional business lines – including capital markets, tenant and landlord representation, insurance services, project management and property management – in both existing and new markets.
“I feel incredibly fortunate for the opportunity to have learned from Andrew for the better part of my career and to now be able to continue the legacy he and the rest of our leadership team have built together,” Harrell said. “Our talented people have always been our greatest asset and going forward, we will continue to invest heavily in our platform so our teams can win at the highest levels on behalf of our clients. Just as importantly, as we enter this next phase of growth, we are as committed as ever to preserving the values, culture and level of service that have always differentiated our firm.”
In his time with Franklin Street, Harrell has been recognized on numerous occasions for his sales and leadership accomplishments, ranking as Franklin Street’s top producer from 2013 to 2021 and earning the firm’s “Leadership Award” in 2010, 2011 and 2019. He received Business Observer’s “40 Under 40 Award” in 2017 and Insurance Business America’s “Platinum Top Producer” honor in 2021. He is a graduate of Florida State University.
