From left to right: CFO Cornelius Mendez, CEO Burton Young, President Jack Carroll, Chairman Rand Sperry.
Sperry Equities is entering the next phase of its growth with a leadership transition that formalizes responsibilities already taking shape at the commercial real estate investment firm. The Irvine, California-based company has appointed longtime President and Co-Founder Burton Young as Chief Executive Officer, while Co-Founder Rand Sperry assumes the role of Chairman.
The announcement comes during a particularly strong year for the firm. Sperry Equities says it has surpassed $255 million in total transaction volume so far in 2026, comprising $51.4 million in acquisitions, $87.8 million in dispositions and $116.3 million in financing activity across markets including Arizona and Colorado.
The leadership changes are intended to support long-term growth and succession rather than significantly alter the company’s day-to-day operations. Sperry will remain actively involved in the business, while Young will continue overseeing the company’s investment strategy, portfolio activities, capital relationships and broader operations as CEO.
“I owe a great deal of this company’s success to Burton. His transparency, dedication to our capital partners, and willingness to put in the extra hours, including weekends, are the kind of leadership that leads by example,” Rand Sperry said. “With Burton’s leadership, I have full confidence he will carry us into our next chapter of growth.”
Young has been central to Sperry Equities since 1998, when he co-founded the firm with Sperry and Jack Carroll. His new role builds on nearly three decades of experience leading the company’s investment and operational activities.
“Our success has always been built on earning the trust of our clients and investors,” Young said. “As CEO, my priority is to build on what has made Sperry successful for decades: protecting and growing our investors’ equity and building relationships that last for generations.”
The leadership transition also reflects a broader effort to prepare the firm for its next generation of executives. Jeremy Newman and Kevin Burton are expected to become Partners in 2027, while existing Partner Jack Carroll will serve as President of both Sperry Equities and Sperry Commercial. Cornelius Mendez will continue as Chief Financial Officer.
The changes come as commercial real estate investors continue to navigate a market shaped by evolving interest rates, shifting demand across property categories and increasing emphasis on operational performance. For firms focused on value-add strategies, the ability to identify underperforming assets and improve their underlying fundamentals remains an important competitive advantage.
Sperry Equities focuses primarily on value-add commercial real estate opportunities, targeting Class A properties in secondary markets and Class B properties in primary markets. Its typical investments range from $15 million to $50 million and include business parks, flex and industrial properties, and retail centers.
According to the company, Sperry Equities has acquired more than 120 properties representing over $2.5 billion in transaction volume and approximately 17.5 million square feet across major U.S. markets. The firm reports an average gross internal rate of return of 16% and an average equity multiple of 2.0x.
Its affiliate, Sperry Commercial, provides brokerage and property management services and oversees more than 10 million square feet for Sperry Equities and third-party clients. The broader portfolio represents approximately $1.2 billion in assets under management and spans markets including Southern California, Northern California, Texas, Indiana, Atlanta, Phoenix, Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, Columbus and Memphis.
For Sperry Equities, the leadership announcement therefore represents more than a change in titles. It is part of a deliberate effort to preserve the firm’s established investment philosophy while creating a structure capable of supporting its next stage of expansion.
As commercial real estate continues to evolve, the combination of experienced leadership, disciplined investment and succession planning could prove increasingly important. With transaction activity already exceeding $255 million in 2026, Sperry Equities is positioning its leadership team to build on that momentum.
Company Website:
https://www.sperryequities.com/
Sperry Commercial:
https://www.sperrycre.com/
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