First National Realty Partners (FNRP), a leading national private equity commercial real estate firm based in Red Bank, announced the hiring of Jeff Kellams as its new director of leasing. With over 35 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, Kellams will be responsible for leading leasing initiatives across FNRP’s retail portfolio to drive value and optimize tenant mix.
Kellams comes to FNRP with a strong background in strategic leasing, most recently serving as vice president of leasing at Washington Prime Group. In that role, he led multimillion-dollar lease negotiations and managed retail properties nationwide. His extensive experience is expected to be a significant asset to FNRP, which specializes in acquiring and managing necessity-based, grocery-anchored retail centers.
Sam Collier, FNRP’s chief revenue officer, expressed his enthusiasm for the new addition. “Jeff brings a wealth of leasing knowledge and on-the-ground experience that will sharpen our execution across the portfolio,” Collier said. “His ability to structure deals, navigate market dynamics, and build strong retailer partnerships will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow.”
In his new role, Kellams will focus on increasing occupancy and ensuring that leasing efforts align with the firm’s long-term asset strategy. Kellams noted his excitement about joining the Red Bank-based firm, stating that FNRP’s focus on high-quality, grocery-anchored retail provides a “strong platform for growth.”
A graduate of Indiana University, Kellams’s career has been defined by his ability to leverage market insights to close complex lease transactions. His leadership is expected to further enhance FNRP’s vertically integrated platform, which oversees the entire investment lifecycle from acquisition to disposition for its portfolio of properties across the United States.
