2024 Distinguished Alumni

Jesse

Pruitt

Jesse K. Pruitt graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1969. Contrary to his biology degree, he shortly began his start in the real estate industry in 1974 when he joined Vantage Companies as a marketing representative.

In 1976, he became senior vice president and subsequently executive vice president and general manager of the Dallas division of Vantage Development Company as well as executive vice president of Vantage Management Company. At Vantage, he was responsible for the development, management and leasing of more than 30 million square feet of office, warehouse, build-to-suits and design-build facilities in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and throughout the United States.

In 1988, Vantage sold its leasing and management operations to Bradford Companies, an owner representative firm providing full-service real estate transactions totaling more than $950 million. He also supervised day-to-day management, leasing and development operations of more than 20 million square feet of industrial and office space for institutional owners, pension fund advisors and real estate investment trusts. Pruitt joined Wilcox Realty Group in February 1992 as one of the founders and assumed the role of President of Wilcox Development Services, Inc.

In 1994, Pruitt joined CMC-Commercial Realty Group as a partner/principal. While at CMC, Pruitt was responsible for over 10 million square feet of speculative and build-to-suit industrial, office, retail and tech/flex product. As principal of Somervell Commercial Realty, Pruitt has been involved as a project consultant, development manager and owner representative in more than five million square feet of office and industrial projects in DFW and other locations in Texas.

Pruitt was also a Texas Tech football letterman and remains to be an involved Texas Tech alumni. He has served as national president of the Texas Tech Alumni Association and board member of the Red Raider Club. In 2015, he was inducted into the College of Arts & Science Dean's Circle and is also a 30-year board member of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association.

Back to Home