SVN | J. Beard Real Estate marks 20th anniversary

THE WOODLANDS, TX --The blue property signs advertising available commercial space with the J. Beard logo are a commonplace sight in the Greater Houston area. However, this was not always the case. The story behind the J. Beard brand goes back two decades, when founder Jeff Beard took a leap of faith and staked a claim to his own firm.

Originally established in 2003 as The J. Beard Real Estate Company, the firm’s 2021 alignment with SVN International, a global leader in the commercial real estate industry, gave rise to the current moniker, SVN | J. Beard Real Estate – Greater Houston.

As a top commercial real estate brokerage company and an industry leader, SVN | J. Beard Real Estate provides services that encompass leasing, sales, site acquisitions, property management, development, and consulting, with both landlord and tenant representation services, all provided by a team of nearly 60 individuals. Today, the firm represents clients from across the globe in virtually all facets of commercial real estate.

Reflecting on the early years, Jeff Beard, Managing Director of SVN | J. Beard Real Estate – Greater Houston, explains, “Amid a transition in ownership in 2003, The Woodlands Operating Company unexpectedly dissolved a large portion of the commercial real estate division, and I was one among many subsequent layoffs. Many of the clients I had been serving reached out for continued assistance with their commercial real estate needs. I responded quickly and formed my own company, not only to provide for my family, but so I could continue to serve these clients. This evolved into much more than I ever dreamed, as additional clients and opportunities continued to present themselves. J. Beard quickly grew from a small proprietorship into a thriving business.”

Beard credits the support and mentorship of many in those early years. Most notably, encouragement from the late Michael Richmond, along with Lloyd Everson, Steve McPhetridge, and Robert Marling. He also credits his first employee, Diana Gaines, who was willing to work from the Beard family dining room until Beard could set up an office. Gaines is now the firm’s most seasoned Senior Advisor, having been on board since the inception of the company in 2003.

Beard continues, “The past twenty years have been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am so appreciative for the support and allegiance I have received from mentors, clients, and most importantly, the members of the J. Beard team. Whether they are still with us or not, each individual contributed their time and talent to help get us to where we are today. Thanks to this hard work and dedication, the future of our firm looks brighter than ever!”