About
Jason is Vestian's Northeast Retail Lead. He brings over 20 years of experience to his leadership role in the retail services group. Beyond his extensive experience with national retail brands and REITs, he has successfully overseen the growth and management of numerous retail brokerage teams. He has managed and, in some cases, authored development plans for brands such as Panera Bread, AT&T, Massage Envy, Pet Valu, Qdoba, Just Salad, and many others. In his career, he has exclusively represented over 50 national and regional retailers and restaurants and continues to represent numerous brands today. Jason also has extensive experience representing landlord clients and has been instrumental in the leasing of portfolios totaling over 3 million square feet. He has also consulted on and pre-leased numerous new development projects.
Fairfield University - Bachelor of Science, Business Communication
Sample Leasing Accomplishments
1004 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT (Repositioning) – 2022/2023
Approached by ownership to help reposition the building and ultimately its value, which included consulting on Sierra Grille lease buyout, execution of Massage Envy renewal and adding three new tenants to upgrade the tenant lineup. Tenants added: Panera Bread, Cyclebar, Attune Wellness Med Spa
Southbury Plaza, Southbury, CT (Kmart Redevelopment) – 2019/2020
Kmart vacated their 120,000 SF, multi-floor (60/60) box and teamed up with owner/client to strategize on how best to redevelop and ultimately reposition the space. Consulted on key decisions regarding value engineering the initial work and negotiation of the new junior box leases on the plaza level. Recommended that the lower 60,000 SF was positioned for medical and currently negotiating a 45,000 SF medical deal. Tenants added: Old Navy, Ulta, Michaels
Cromwell Square, Cromwell, CT (Lease Upgrade Program) - 2017
Instrumental in upgrading this 226,000 SF value add asset by working with owner to implement a lease upgrade program. Recommended a basic center revitalization which included a facade renovation, parking lot repaving and lighting upgrade. With vacancy being the primary issue, the upgrades were meant to increase leasing activity and ultimately NOI, starting with backfilling the former Kmart box. After quickly securing a lease with Shop Rite (60,000 SF), junior box and small shop activity increased and 7 years later the vacancy sits at only 5%. Notable tenants added: Shop Rite, Marshalls, Burlington Coat, Five Below, Texas Roadhouse & Cortiva Institute (15,000 SF behind Shop Rite/Marshalls due to an abundance of depth from former Kmart box).
Milford Station, Milford, CT - 2016
Identified underutilized 7.5-acre parcel along route 1 in Milford and coupled the landowner with a client (developer). Worked with developer to create best possible site plan which ended up being a total of 58,000 SF that includes a multi-tenanted 50,000 SF building and two 4,000 SF stand-alone pads. Built a team to develop & implement a pre-leasing program that accomplished 70% lease commitment before breaking ground. Also aided in negotiating with adjacent property owner and Chase Bank to create cross access which ultimately led to development gaining signalized access/egress. Original tenants included: REI, Verizon, Panera Bread, Pet Valu, Sleep Number & Salons by JC.
Sample Retailer Development Accomplishments
Panera Bread (2008 - Present)
- Consulted on and implemented company owned café market plan that has included new café development and relocations.
- 24 transactions completed across Connecticut and New York
AT&T (2006 - Present)
- Instrumental in their market growth since 2006 with both COR and Authorized Dealer leases. Transactions have included both enclosed mall and traditional growth, which included new store, renewals, and relocations.
- 32 transactions completed across New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts
Pet Valu (2013 – 2017)
- Consulted and implemented initial market entry and ultimately achieved regional sales that consistently outperformed chain-wide AUV.
- 60 transactions completed across Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island
The Children’s Place (2012-2014)
- Consulted and ultimately implemented national strategic plan to relocate existing mall stores near expiration to same market positions outside the mall.
- 12 transactions completed across Connecticut and Rhode Island
Massage Envy (2005-2016)
- Developed and implemented their initial market entry plan and continued clinic development with their Area Developer. Achieved huge success relative to the chain having four clinics performing in the top 10%.
- 13 transactions completed across Connecticut and Rhode Island
