Commercial real estate firm Binswanger on Monday announced it appointed Jeffrey Hipschman as CEO, effective immediately. Hipschman succeeds David Binswanger, who will transition to the role of managing director and board member, joining longtime partner Jeff Binswanger in continuing to guide the firm. David Binswanger, who has served as CEO since 1997, will remain integral in the execution of its strategic plan as he focuses his full attention on business development, client servicing, potential new initiatives and mentorship activities.
The leadership change marks the first time the Philadelphia company has been led by someone other than a member of the Binswanger family in its 93-year history.
“There comes a time in any family business when a set of independent eyes can bring new perspectives that not only honor the legacy and values that have been created, but also imagine other horizons that were not prioritized,” Binswanger said. “Mr. Hipschman brings great perspective from two of the biggest firms in the industry, and his energy and personality are infectious. We can’t wait to see where he can take us.”
For more than 30 years, Hipschman has been at the forefront of professional advisory companies from financial services to the commercial real estate sector. Since 2009, he has served as senior managing director and market leader of CBRE’s New Jersey offices, responsible for leading all service lines as well as guiding the firm’s industrial and logistics strategy in the highly dynamic Northeast markets.
“I’m thankful to join the Binswanger team to aggressively focus on delivering unique real estate solutions to clients across the country and around the globe,” Hipschman said. “With an energized employee ownership perspective and Binswanger’s distinct culture of creativity and collaboration, we look forward to growing our company and leveraging the deep expertise of our colleagues to the benefit of our clients and partners.”
Prior to CBRE, Hipschman led operations and technology initiatives at Julien J. Studley Inc. (the predecessor to Savills Inc.), where he rose to the position of chief information officer. Hipschman began his career on Wall Street as an equity trading systems specialist, first for Salomon Bros., then Lehman Bros.
Hipschman plans to usher in a new era of innovation, collaboration and growth for the 93-year-old company, fully leveraging the company’s unique and deep expertise across multiple disciplines, including engineering, life sciences, aerospace, food and logistics. He will lead the company’s U.S. and global growth and expansion from its Philadelphia headquarters in addition to serving on the firm’s board of directors.
