Ann Sperling joins financial and professional services firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) as chief operating officer for the Americas region. In her new role, Sperling will lead Jones Land LaSalle’s Americas management committee, oversee the region’s planning process and compensation program, integrate support functions with the businesses and improve business processes, the firm said. She succeeds Bill Thummel, who held the position since 2005 and is now chief operating officer of the firm’s global corporate solutions organization, a newly created position. Sperling joins from Catellus Development Group, where she was managing director of the mixed-use development company, a wholly owned subsidiary of ProLogis (PLD). She joined Catellus as a result of the CB Richard Ellis/Trammell Crow merger, where she had a 25-year career at Trammel Crow, most recently in the role of managing director and area director for the firm’s Rocky Mountain region. “Ann is a proven leader whose experience across a broad range of real estate disciplines makes her the ideal choice for this important position,” said Peter Roberts, CEO for the Americas region. “Her success in driving growth, excellence in client service and business performance makes her the ideal choice to help guide the firm now and through the economic recovery.” Write to Austin Kilgore.