James Mitchell
Executive Vice President
Professional Experience
Associated Office
Contact
Based in the Washington, D.C. office, James leads CBRE’s Auto Dealership Capital Markets team providing an array of business solutions and services to automotive clientele focusing on buy/sells, debt & equity procurements, workouts, and real estate finance alternatives.
James ensures a client-driven focus on all transactions whether it involves the financing of a single point operation, or a 16-dealership buy/sell in multiple states with a portfolio of leased and owned real estate. The team never dilutes its fiduciary to the client with blurred loyalties simultaneously to a buyer and seller.
James has more than 28 years of experience in the automotive industry, spanning the diverse areas of retail, finance, real estate, and OEM relations. He joined CBRE from Cushman & Wakefield where he led the firm’s Dealership Capital Services team. Prior to working for Cushman, James led CBRE’s Dealership Capital Services Group representing some of the top dealer groups in the U.S. He started his automotive brokerage practice in 2007 with Marcus & Millichap where he was founder and director of their National Automotive Group.
James’ retail background comes from having created and managed, Automerica, a branded chain of used car dealerships based in the eastern U.S. His expertise in financing dealership real estate was honed as a member of the acquisitions team at Capital Automotive Real Estate Services, Inc. (CARS), where he assisted in the sourcing and underwriting of sale-leaseback transactions. James began his automotive career with the American Honda Motor Co., representing the Honda brand to its dealer networks throughout the South Central and mid-Atlantic regions.
James ensures a client-driven focus on all transactions whether it involves the financing of a single point operation, or a 16-dealership buy/sell in multiple states with a portfolio of leased and owned real estate. The team never dilutes its fiduciary to the client with blurred loyalties simultaneously to a buyer and seller.
James has more than 28 years of experience in the automotive industry, spanning the diverse areas of retail, finance, real estate, and OEM relations. He joined CBRE from Cushman & Wakefield where he led the firm’s Dealership Capital Services team. Prior to working for Cushman, James led CBRE’s Dealership Capital Services Group representing some of the top dealer groups in the U.S. He started his automotive brokerage practice in 2007 with Marcus & Millichap where he was founder and director of their National Automotive Group.
James’ retail background comes from having created and managed, Automerica, a branded chain of used car dealerships based in the eastern U.S. His expertise in financing dealership real estate was honed as a member of the acquisitions team at Capital Automotive Real Estate Services, Inc. (CARS), where he assisted in the sourcing and underwriting of sale-leaseback transactions. James began his automotive career with the American Honda Motor Co., representing the Honda brand to its dealer networks throughout the South Central and mid-Atlantic regions.
Education
- James graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, CT with a BA in Economics and a minor in Formal Organizations.
Achievements
- Closed the largest auto buy/sell transaction in the U.S. in 2022
Clients Represented
- Sonic Automotive
- Lithia Automotive
- Group 1 Automotive
- Ourisman Automotive Group
- Kody Holdings
- Realty Income