Long-time real estate advisor Paul Donovan joins Forte as Chief Operating Officer

Mike Nordstrom to retire mid 2025

Paul Donovan, a long-time commercial real estate tenant advisor, will join Forte Real Estate Partners as Chief Operating Officer on Jan. 1, 2025. Donovan spent more than 20 years at Cushman & Wakefield, focusing on representing businesses and non-profits in leasing or sales of commercial properties.

As Chief Operating Officer, Donovan will oversee the day-to-day operations leveraging Forte’s full-service platform to grow the organization. An essential focal point will be the continued investment in Forte’s employee and client-centric culture, which has been integral to recent recognition as one of the Twin Cities’ Best Places to Work by the Minneapolis – St. Paul Business Journal and Professional Services Company of 2023 by the Minnesota Real Estate Journal.

“Since we started Forte in 2021, we’ve been highly focused on building a team that is intentionally collaborative and highly ethical. Paul fits that description completely, and we are excited to have him join us as we continue to grow the Forte platform,” said Jim Jetland, one of Forte’s three principles and co-founders with Phil Simonet and Steve Brown.

Donovan replaces Mike Nordstrom, Executive Vice President – Operations, who has announced his retirement in mid-2025. Nordstrom spent 35 years at General Mills and its related subsidiaries, leading workplace solutions and real estate. He has volunteered regularly for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and served on its Board of Directors. He joined Forte’s predecessor, Excelsior Advisory Group, in 2019 and was instrumental in the formation and growth of Forte.

“This is bittersweet for us because Mike has been an integral part of Forte’s evolution, both culturally and operationally.  We’ll miss his leadership, but his thumbprint on Forte will remain. We are happy he’ll be able to pursue more of his hobbies,” said Jetland.

Since Forte started in 2021, the team has grown to 25 offering a full suite of real estate services, including, strategic real estate advisory services in the office, industrial, and healthcare sectors, as well as lease administration, project management, and property management.  

“I’m excited to join Forte and look forward to contributing to the team. My decision to transition to Forte is based on the opportunity to take an active role in continuing their work in advancing a work environment that prioritizes employees, clients, and our community. I respect Forte’s commitment to fostering a positive culture and am eager to support this ongoing effort,” said Donovan.

In his career, Donovan has been fortunate to team with great partners and clients, which have included nonprofits, professional service firms (law, accounting, and consulting), and corporations.  At Cushman & Wakefield and within the industry, he was consistently recognized for his production and client service locally and nationally.

Before joining Cushman & Wakefield, he spent eight years as an executive with Marsden Services focused on business development and client services after Donovan Building Services was acquired. He is a graduate of Marquette University with a degree in accounting. Paul’s past volunteer work includes the boards of Catholic Finance Corporation, Achieve Minneapolis, Sister’s of St.  Joseph Ministries Foundation, and the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery Center.