Building on its strong growth in Texas, JLL today announced it has expanded its retail capabilities into Houston with the addition of Mark Raines as a Senior Vice President. Partnering with Dallas Retail Brokerage Lead Clay Smith and Austin and San Antonio Market Lead Todd Wallace, Raines will focus on JLL’s retail business including tenant representation and agency leasing and will serve as Houston’s Retail Brokerage Leader.

“As the energy industry’s epicenter so much growth potential exists, both for retailers looking to expand and investors seeking to put dollars into the Houston market,” said Wallace. “With the addition of Mark, we’ve strengthened our retail service offerings, and now have specialized retail experts in the four major Texas markets of Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. We’re looking forward to furthering the growth of our retail brokerage platform in Texas and across the country.”

Raines joins JLL from competing global brokerage firm, where he specialized in retail brokerage services for national, regional and entrepreneurial tenants in the greater Houston area. Prior to commercial real estate, Raines spent six years in the new home development industry. A sampling of clients Raines’ has represented or is currently representing includes AT&T, Iberia Bank, Buffalo Wild Wings, Crunch Fitness, Gander Mountain, Conn’s Home Plus, Thomas Markle Jewelers and Good Year. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University and is an active member in ICSC.