JLL brings in heavy hitters as NJ expansion continues.

Jones Lang LaSalle has announced that five senior real estate professionals have joined the firm's New Jersey operations and will open a new office in Metropark to provide comprehensive real estate services to owners and occupiers in the central New Jersey marketplace.

The team, headed by executive vice presidents Paul E. Giannone and James D. Scanlon, two of the highest performing brokers in the state, comes to JLL from newmark Knight Frank and also includes Paul A. Hindes, senior vice president; Kevin M. Carton, vice president; and Todd A. Elfand, leasing associate.

The team will be located in Metropark, one of the most desirable submarkets in the state, and will service the entire central New Jersey marketplace including Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Jones Lang LaSalle's expansion announcement comes at a time of dynamic growth for the firm in New Jersey.

The New Jersey headquarters in Parsippany has more than doubled in size over the past 18 months. Currently, Jones Lang LaSalle leases and manages 5.6 million square feet in New Jersey and has project management assignments totaling 5.3 million square feet of construction valued at $2 billion underway in the state. With the addition of the new team, Jones Lang LaSalle now employs 54 professionals in two New Jersey offices.

"Paul Giannone and Jim Scanlon are two of the most accomplished professionals in the New York/ New Jersey area," said Peter Riguardi, president of Jones Lang LaSalle's New York-Tri State region.

"With their leadership, expertise and track record, we are well positioned to meet the growing demand for our services in the central New Jersey market. This is great news for our firm, our clients and our fellow professionals at Jones Lang LaSalle in New Jersey."

Formerly a managing principal at Newmark Knight Frank, Giannone is a 24-year veteran of the commercial real estate industry. He has represented a prestigious roster of corporate and institutional clients in all facets of real estate negotiation, including Wachovia, Agfa, Chase, BASF, Bell Atlantic, Tyco, Sandoz, Commonwealth Metals, Siemens and Citicorp.

Scanlon most recently served as managing principal at Newmark Knight Frank and has specialized in representing such corporate clients as Sandoz, Inc., Columbia University, Savient Pharmaceutical, Weyerhauser Corporation and Engelhard.

Commented Giannone, "Jones Lang LaSalle offered our team a terrific growth opportunity, and the corporate climate and resources to service our clients in the most effective manner. The firm's team-oriented culture, international market dominance and world-class client list are truly unrivaled in the industry. I look forward to helping further expand the firm (1)s reach within Central New Jersey."

Formerly managing director with Newmark Knight Frank, Paul Hindes, CPA is a 22-year veteran of the commercial real estate industry. Prior to joining Newmark, Paul was CFO and leasing director at the M. Alfieri Co., where he oversaw a four million-square-foot portfolio.

Also a former managing director, Kevin Carton is a 12-year commercial real estate veteran, specializing in the office sector. Todd Elfand, a former associate, specializes in office leasing and strategic tenant representation.