Jay Sears is a 38 year veteran of the retail/commercial brokerage and development industry. As a co-founder and Co-Managing Partner of NewQuest Properties, Sears focuses on new development opportunities and on managing key client relationships with retailers and clients including Kroger, Walgreens, 24 Hour Fitness, Cinemark Theatres and Metro Transit Authority.Houston-based NewQuest Properties has a portfolio exceeding $2.3 billion in assets. The company’s current projects total approximately 11 million sq.ft.. With over 150 properties, including more than 100retail centers, NewQuest manages every aspect of retail center development, from land acquisition, financing, design and development to leasing and property management. Combined with its own portfolio, NewQuest leases over 14 million square feet.In 1996, he founded Sears Realty Company, a commercial brokerage and development firm that developed, managed and leased numerous grocery-anchored shopping centers throughout the greater Houston area. He formed Sears Realty in response to the site selection and development needs of his grocery and retail clients, brokering or developing numerous transactions involving Albertsons, HEB Grocery Company, Kroger, Walgreen’s, PETCO Animal Supplies, Rice Epicurean Markets, 24 Hour Fitness, among many others. The company flourished and, in 2001, Sears merged with Quest Properties, with the merged company being renamed NewQuest Properties.Specialties: Jay is a member of the International Council of ShoppingCenters (ICSC), a member of the Urban Land Institute and a member of the Rice Design Alliance.