Senior Partner | Beacon Partners
“Jon’s energy and passion for life are contagious,” is the opening for Jon’s biography on the Beacon Partner’s website. As you read his profile, the information they provide is more story-like than bulleted. They describe him as thorough, passionate, and determined. Once you know him well, this is a true reflection of what he stands for.
To begin with we want to share a little about Beacon Partners. One of REBIC’s Premier Members, they define themselves as a full-service commercial real estate firm that develops, acquires, finances, leases, and manages quality industrial, office, and mixed-use properties. At their core, they work to serve others by reinvesting their resources into the future of our community.
But for now, let’s help you get to know Jon.
Arriving in Charlotte, North Carolina with his parents in 1977, Jon Morris brought here by entrepreneurial parents that also enjoyed their Winston cigarettes. Their business partner wanted to expand into the South, and desired to be at ground zero where his favorite cigarettes were manufactured. After some time, his father convinced the partners to open this third office in Charlotte, NC rather than Winston-Salem, NC. “A genius move in retrospect…” Jon adds.
In May of 1994, after graduating from Davidson College, he says his launch into real estate was out of desperation; his parents lovingly informing him that their under-employed but rent-paying son would not have his lease renewed … and his next move needed to be out of the house. It appears this nudge propelled him into a career that is underpinned by purpose and positive outcomes. His responsibilities with Beacon Partners include overseeing the leasing, acquisition, and development platform for our industrial business, which is primarily focused on the Carolinas. He is also tasked with following existing clients as they expand geographically.
“I thrive on working with our team and providing support where I add value.” Jon shares. “Beacon’s website lists our core values as collaboration, accountability, and purpose. Collaborating with and learning from the consummate professionals that make up our Beacon roster makes every day a challenging adventure. We hold each other accountable to our roles and responsibilities, both personally and professionally.”
His ”1 mile radius uptown bubble,” as he calls it extends around his lock-and-leave 1500 square foot residence at The Metropolitan that is central to walkable retail and the Sugar Creek Greenway. “And I love it…” he shares. But Jon’s influence extends beyond that circle, touching people everywhere, evident when he shares with us his business goals for Beacon: “From a pure business standpoint, we have to grow our new asset base. New development and acquisition deals drive value for our investors and the fee base for our services company. Without a profitable deal, nothing happens. And profitable deals don’t happen if you are not working with talented, motivated individuals. So, retaining and developing those individuals is Goal #1.”
His personal goal in relation to this industry when we asked him about the value of REBIC’s advocacy in driving the health of the Charlotte region is as follows: “We need to get the UDO to a spot where we grow our density, as a key component to creating affordable housing. If we cave to NIMBY-ism and limit demand by crimping the supply of residences (single family, townhomes, apartments or otherwise), we will drive up housing prices and further erode affordability [options]. We have learned that lesson from California, Seattle, Austin, Denver, and numerous other peer cities. Let’s employ that wisdom in our policymaking.”