CEO Fireside Chat

Brian Murray is the CEO of Ryan Companies US, Inc., a national commercial real estate firm headquartered in Minneapolis. He joined Ryan in 2009 as CFO, was promoted to COO/CFO several years later, and to CEO in 2018. Ryan has 1,750 team members located in 14 offices across the nation and provides architecture and engineering, development, construction, and real estate management services and is also an owner and investor in real estate. Prior to joining Ryan, he held several financial leadership roles, including CFO of two divisions, at UnitedHealth Group for 10 years. He began his career in 1988 as a CPA and auditor at Arthur Andersen & Co. and worked there 10 years following graduation from the University of St. Thomas. He serves on the board of directors of Dental Dental of Minnesota and two non-profits, Lakewood Cemetery and Change the Outcome. He was the founding board chair of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis. He leads Ryan with a strong belief that the value of human connection creates “magic” in business, and was inspired by Hubert Joly’s book, The Heart of Business. He is passionate about ending the stigma around mental health and has shared his personal story publicly, including in a TEDx talk in 2023.

Jim Vos is a Senior Managing Director in the Savills Minneapolis office. Having more than three decades of experience in many service fields in the commercial real estate industry, Jim brings an exceptional breadth of knowledge to Savills clients. He partners with companies in client lease negotiations, crafting and implementing strategic real estate plans, and facilitating the development process for large or complex corporate facilities. Prior to joining Savills, Jim was a Principal at Cresa Minneapolis for 34 years, where he enabled corporate clients to plan and execute real estate strategies that enhanced their business operations. Jim draws on a diverse mix of project experience, strategic business perspective, and knowledge of local market trends to serve clients. His past projects have included office, industrial, healthcare, and retail developments with leasing, development, and acquisition requirements. Jim’s clients over the years have ranged from start-up operations to Fortune 500 companies spanning communities in Minneapolis, nationally, and internationally. Awards, achievements and activities Jim is committed to being an active member of his professional and local community. In addition to being named a Power Broker by Costar and nominated as a “40 under 40” community leader, he currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, and as Board Chair for Rise Early Learning Center in addition his other community commitments. Jim is also the past Board Chair of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, past President of the City of Lakes Rotary Club, Council President of the Westwood Lutheran Church, and past Chair of the National Advisory Board for Gustavus Adolphus College.