James “Watty” Watson

Managing Partner

James “Watty” Watson has spent a 35-year career in the commercial real estate investment, development and management business. He leads strategic direction and business development for CT Realty (CT), engaged primarily with CT institutional and private investors.

Prior to joining CTR in 2010, Watty served as president of the Koll Development Company where he was responsible for real estate investment and development in the Western United States and Mexico. Koll developed or acquired over 75 million square feet of institutional quality office, industrial and retail properties during its history.

Watty is co-founder and chairman of Port Logistics Realty (PLR), a Texas-based CTR affiliate that is developing large scale industrial parks in Tier 1 logistics markets across the U.S. He also serves as chairman of another CT affiliate, TechSpace Holding Company, which owns and operates tech-ready, all-inclusive flexible office and co-working facilities in New York, San Francisco, Southern California, Texas, and other markets.

Watty is a former president of the Orange County Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties and has served on its national board of directors. He is a member of Urban Land Institute and was appointed by Governor Wilson as state racing commissioner on the California Horse Racing Board, where he served for four years.

Watty is co-chairman of the Advisory Board of the University of California, Irvine Center for Real Estate at the Paul Merage School of Business. He serves on a number of other boards for private operating companies and charitable organizations.

He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration.

oc2017