A new face will be helming Avison Young’s Philadelphia office next year for the first time in over a decade.

Principal Brendan Kelley will become the region’s market leader Jan. 1, Avison Young announced Monday. He is replacing market leader David Fahey, who has led the brokerage’s Philadelphia office since it was founded 12 years ago.

“I’m honored to lead Avison Young’s Philadelphia office and build on the strong foundation established under David Fahey’s leadership,” Kelley said in a statement.

“My priority is to harness innovation and data-driven strategies to enhance the value we deliver to our clients and community.”

Fahey will continue to work at Avison Young as an adviser with a focus on client relationships.

Kelley joined Avison Young as a principal in 2023, two decades after his CRE career started. He first joined Binswanger Co. in 2003 after graduating from La Salle University, where he played ice hockey.

Kelley became vice president of transactions at Delaware-based Buccini Pollin Group in 2006. He went on to co-found Virtus Realty Advisors, which expanded Buccini’s brokerage capabilities.

After leaving in 2018, Kelley helped found Cadence Real Estate Advisors, where he remained until starting at Avison Young.

“Brendan’s dynamic leadership will not only unite our teams but also accelerate innovation and growth across the Philadelphia market,” Avison Young U.S. President Harry Klaff said in a statement.

Avison Young is the eighth-largest commercial real estate brokerage in Greater Philadelphia with 37 licensed brokers, according to a Philadelphia Business Journal list published in June.

The largest firm on that list, CBRE, made a similar leadership change in September. It named Mamadou Baldé as its market leader for Greater Philadelphia after he led the company’s office in his native Pittsburgh for three years.