Dan Wagner to Become Lee & Associates CEO
The former chief data officer will take over the Atlanta office leadership role starting January 1.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in People
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Lee & Associates Atlanta has appointed Dan Wagner as its new CEO and president, effective January 1, 2027. He will succeed current leader Dave Howard, who is moving into a consulting position.
Why it matters
The leadership change marks a transition in the firm's management structure as it shifts focus toward future growth and operational oversight. This appointment signals a change in the executive direction for the Atlanta brokerage office.
Dan Wagner brings more than 30 years of commercial real estate experience to the CEO role. The Atlanta brokerage office saw a 60% expansion during the leadership of his predecessor.
The players
Dan Wagner
He is the incoming CEO and president of Lee & Associates Atlanta who previously served as the firm's chief data officer.
Dave Howard
He is the outgoing leader of the Atlanta office who will remain with the firm in a consulting capacity.
Lee & Associates
This is a commercial real estate brokerage firm with regional offices across the United States.
The details
Dan Wagner joined Lee & Associates in 2022 and previously served as the firm's chief data officer. Dave Howard, who has led the Atlanta office since 2020, will transition into a consulting role to assist other regional offices with their growth initiatives.
Timeline
Dave Howard began leading the Atlanta office in 2020.
Dan Wagner joined Lee & Associates in 2022.
Dan Wagner assumes the CEO role on January 1, 2027.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows the trajectory set by the firm's 2020 office leadership transition. It positions the brokerage to maintain its market share against competitors by leveraging the executive experience of its internal leadership.
The transition is primarily an internal management shift and is not expected to cause immediate changes to service levels for current clients. Customers should expect continuity as the firm continues its standard brokerage operations in Atlanta.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates a focus on internal executive development to maintain momentum in the regional commercial real estate market. Clients and partners should monitor how the new leadership approach influences the firm's future service expansion plans.
Further reading
For more information on local business leadership changes, visit the Atlanta People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bisnow.
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