T
he W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University has appointed Tom "TJ" Johnston as executive director of the newly expanded and named W. P. Carey Center for Real Estate and Finance. With over two decades of experience in brokerage, operations, and investment strategy, Johnston brings a wealth of industry expertise to this role.

    The appointment was made possible by a $25 million gift from the W. P. Carey Foundation to ASU's W. P. Carey School of Business. The gift aims to enhance real estate education through experiential learning, research, and strengthened industry partnerships.

    "Real estate is crucial for economic development and community strength," said Ohad Kadan, Charles J. Robel Dean and W. P. Carey Distinguished Chair in Business. "Tom Johnston's leadership will help us prepare students who not only understand markets but also shape them to serve society."

    Johnston joins the center after serving as managing director and designated broker at SVN | SFRhub Marketplace, where he led a team focused on single-family rental and build-for-rent portfolios nationwide. His career includes leadership roles at Savills North America, Voit Real Estate Services, and Cushman & Wakefield.

    As executive director, Johnston will oversee the center's strategic direction, deepen industry engagement, create new pathways for student mentorship, and guide initiatives that bridge academic insight with real-world application in a sector that accounts for over 14% of U.S. gross domestic product.

    Johnston will work closely with Mark Stapp, executive director of the Master of Real Estate Development program, and Kimberly Winson-Geideman, director of the Division of Real Estate within the Department of Finance, to enhance ASU's reputation as a national leader in real estate education and applied industry partnerships.