JLL appointed Ronnie Deyo as President of its Houston offices, succeeding Dan Bellow, a longtime Houston commercial real estate veteran and well-known leader.

Both principal members of the firm’s Houston office, Bellow and Deyo, have worked closely over their decades-long careers at JLL, each catalysts for its trajectory in the market. Deyo’s new position will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and Bellow will serve in an advisory role as Chairman for Leasing Advisory. 

One of the most respected and dynamic commercial real estate professionals in Houston, Bellow has over 50 years of experience in the sector, previously serving as President of The Staubach Co. – Houston before its merger with JLL. Among his most notable accomplishments are Greater Houston Partnership’s Robert Onstead Leadership Award (2009), NAIOP’s Howard W. Horne Legacy Award (2013) and Houston Business Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2025). Bellow has been a driving force behind JLL’s advancement in Houston, expanding the firm from 50 employees and three business lines in 2008 to more than 360 employees in the corporate office and a dozen service lines today. 

Over his 30-year career in office tenant representation, Deyo has built lasting relationships with clients – several of whom he continues to represent today – a testament to his attention to detail and dedication to delivering customized solutions. Skilled in managing large-scale real estate projects for multinational corporations, some of his most notable accomplishments include assisting HPE’s world headquarters relocation to a new Houston campus and helping Dow Chemical relocate to a new regional headquarters, among others.

Having led the Houston Office Tenant Representation Group for over 15 years, Deyo has also prioritized mentorship, passionate about sharing his expertise with junior associates and contributing to top-down organizational success. Deyo has received numerous awards, including NAIOP Broker of the Year, NAIOP Deal of the Year on multiple occasions, JLL Champion of Excellence (2009) and JLL Lifetime Top Gun recognition.

In his new position, Deyo will lead JLL’s brokerage teams in Houston and Louisiana, overseeing business operations and providing strategic counsel and direction for more than 150 employees. 

VeraBank is proud to welcome Rich Berman, EVP – Regional President, to its Williamson County market. With more than 20 years of banking experience and deep-rooted connections across the Greater Austin business community, Rich brings expertise and heart to his role.

“I’m passionate about helping local businesses succeed and building strong teams that reflect VeraBank’s community-first values,” said Rich Berman. “It’s inspiring to see what local businesses are capable of with the right support.”

Mark Lakins joins the Austin office of DAHLIN Architecture | Planning | Interiors as Director – Project Development. Lakins brings 15 years of experience to DAHLIN to lead project development through a designer’s eye and a builder’s mindset. Skilled at connecting clients with creative, constructable solutions informed by his understanding of how projects come together, he will champion project development of residential, mixed-use, and custom luxury homes for DAHLIN across the Southwest Region.

Omar Mourtaja joins Texas Gulf Bank as Vice President – Commercial Lender in our River Oaks location. He has 7 years of banking experience with a focus on commercial lending. A Houston area resident, he understands the commercial banking needs of the market. He will concentrate on expanding our commercial client base offering business loans, deposit products and flexible financial solutions to growing Houston area businesses. MEMBER FDIC/Loans Subject to Credit Approval.

O’Connell Robertson is proud to announce the promotion of Cindy Villarreal to Principal. As Director of the Houston office, Cindy leads with a focus on growth, culture, and excellence aligned with the Firm’s mission-driven values. With 15+ years of architectural design, lab planning and project management experience, she is adept at providing sustainable, resilient solutions.

Cindy’s leadership has been crucial to implementing the Firm’s Gulf Coast expansion, fostering strong team culture, and strengthening relationships with clients.

“Cindy exemplifies the leadership, collaboration, and client focus that our Firm is known for,” said Amy Jones, President & CEO. “Her commitment to people and purpose continues to elevate our Houston office and our Firm.”

As a Principal, Cindy will guide strategic growth, enhance project delivery, and advance client partnerships. O’Connell Robertson is a Texas-based architecture, engineering and interior design firm, celebrating 75 years of business.