This segment is a Veteran Focused talk show that showcases individuals and companies in the community and is focused on Veteran leadership, service, stories and transition. Our Veteran host highlights other Veterans who serve, have served and who are doing great things in their business and in their community. Today our host, Chris Budihas spoke with Jake Ammon.
Jake Ammon
Director Industrial & Office at Franklin Street
Website Address: www.franklinst.com
Short company description:
Franklin Street is built around high-performance teams that live and breathe commercial real estate. We combine brokerage, management, capital, and insurance under one roof so clients get real collaboration—not silos—and faster results.
What is one question you would like the host to ask you?
How has your military background shaped the way you lead and build trust in commercial real estate?
What’s one thing we should know that makes your company unique?
Our edge is that we think like owners, not brokers. Everyone here is invested in outcomes, not transactions. We take the same care with a client’s deal as we would with our own.
How do you define success?
I see success as creating growth for others—helping teammates hit goals, helping clients win in their market, and building systems that outlast any one person. That’s when a business becomes more than a job—it becomes a platform.
How did you get started in your field of work?
I got my start thanks to a number of mentors who saw how my military background could translate into deal-making. That guidance helped me navigate my first transactions and set the foundation for how I now lead and develop others.
What was the most impactful moment of your transition out of the military?
Coaching sessions leading to the discovery of new career path.
Transcript:
Chris:
Welcome to Five Minute Salute. I’m your host, Chris Budihas. Joining me here in the studio is Jake Ammon with Franklin Street. Jake, how are you?
Jake:
Good. How are you doing? Good to see you, man.
Chris:
Good to see you too. You do a lot of things—you’re a pretty busy man. Before we start, give us a little backstory. Where are you originally from? What did you do in the military?
Jake:
Originally from Cameron, Texas—small town. I went to VMI and then joined the Navy back in 2009.
Chris:
And what did you do in the Navy?
Jake:
I drove ships out of Mayport here. I had three deployments, and then the Navy sent me to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to support the Air Force for a bit.
Chris:
What kind of work were you doing out there?
Jake:
We supported intelligence operations—supporting downrange teams in a technical role. It was a phenomenal experience. That’s also where I ultimately transitioned out of active duty—out in Albuquerque.
Chris:
And you came back here to Jacksonville?
Jake:
Yes. When I first considered getting out around 2013, it wasn’t really feasible. But by around 2018, commercial real estate was looking like a great opportunity, and my military background would go a long way here.
Chris:
So Franklin Street—tell us about the company.
Jake:
Franklin Street is a regional commercial real estate brokerage firm. We only do commercial. My role here is overseeing office and industrial brokerage for the Jacksonville market. We’ve got around 150 agents stretching from Austin, Texas, up to parts of the Northeast—mostly the Southeast—and we’re growing organically across business lines and offices nationwide.
Chris:
And Franklin Street only handles commercial real estate?
Jake:
Only commercial.
Chris:
So what motivated you? How did you get into this space?
Jake:
It started with a single-family rental. My wife and I bought a property purely as an investment. I liked the numbers, the real estate aspect. Then someone introduced me to commercial real estate. Growing up in a small town, the biggest building was the auction barn—I didn’t know this world existed.
I got plugged into NAIOP, the commercial real estate development association. They introduced me to everyone I needed to meet before I got out of the military. That helped confirm what I wanted to pursue. They educated me, connected me, and now I’m still involved to give back and stay connected in our market.
Chris:
A lot of people getting out of the military want to go into real estate—commercial or residential. I’ll ask you about your advice in a minute, but first, in simple terms, what is your job? What do you do?
Jake:
The simplest way to put it: I help business decision-makers and investors make confident choices. We analyze economic factors, workforce availability, workforce housing costs, logistics, and then get into the transactional side.
Like yesterday—we closed on a deal for a local company investing nearly $3 million between acquisition and renovation. It was their first time buying a commercial building. Guiding them through that process is a huge part of what I do.
Chris:
That’s huge. I have a friend working in the data center and modular reactor space. They were analyzing putting a data center in—let’s call it West Virginia—and even though the land deal looked good, your workforce analysis would show whether the talent exists locally. Those factors bleed into the decision-making.
Jake:
Exactly. That’s feasibility. And luckily here in Jacksonville, a lot of the feasibility concerns are already strong—quality of life, education, growth, capacity, cost-effectiveness, and strategic logistics. We start off better than many markets.
Chris:
I think about our geography—95, I-10, 75 close by, the port, the airport—it all matters. So back to that question: many military members want to get into real estate. What are your top pieces of advice?
Jake:
The biggest one: get in front of people who are actually doing the job you’re interested in.
It can be hard to reach a big corporation, but that’s where associations like NAIOP come in. It’s commercial-developer-oriented but includes architects, property managers, investors—everyone.
If someone shows interest, people will help. It’s a networking community. I’ve even helped veterans get jobs at competing firms because the goal is to get talented people into the right role.
Chris:
I love that. In the military, we talk mentorship all the time. But when you get out, you need mentors on the civilian side too. I have three civilian mentors on purpose—to help me learn the language, close business blindspots, and get comfortable with new areas. They take the time to explain things.
So don’t be afraid to ask someone to mentor you.
Jake:
Absolutely. And the biggest shift is realizing you don’t have to figure everything out alone. Success comes from knowing who to call. My value is being a connector—architects, engineers, lenders—strategic partners. They don’t work for me, I don’t work for them, but I can’t do my job without them. Building that network is everything.
Chris:
As we close up, I want to ask about Operation New Uniform. You’re on the advisory board—what is it?
Jake:
Operation New Uniform helps bridge the transition from military to civilian life. For some, that shift is easy. For others—especially after 20 years—the cadence disappears.
ONU directly tackles those challenges head-on, quickly, effectively, and at no cost to the service member or employer.
When I first got involved, they told me to attend a graduation. I didn’t understand why—until I went. The impact is incredible. I try to attend every graduation now. The transformation in confidence, purpose, and direction is powerful.
They’re helping service members—and now their spouses—enter the next chapter with clarity and support. I don’t know any other organization making that level of impact in such a short time.
Chris:
Thanks for supporting them. Michelle and the team do phenomenal work. When I left the Marines in 2000, I basically signed for my DD-214 and walked out the gate. When I retired from the Army last year, TAP was better, but you can only fit so much into five days.
That next career move is huge, and ONU fills the gap.
So Jake—how do people find you and Franklin Street?
Jake:
Best way is to call me directly: 904-834-9809. I’m always happy to schedule time to talk.
And the website is franklinstreet.com.
Our Jacksonville office is right downtown—we’re local and ready to help.
Chris:
Thanks for your service, and thanks for everything you’re doing with Operation New Uniform. I appreciate you coming in to talk about your post-military career.
Jake:
Appreciate it. Thanks a lot.
Chris:
Hey folks, connect with Jake and with us on LinkedIn. Check out what Franklin Street is doing. We’ll drop his contact information. Give him a call anytime.
We’ll see you in our next segment. A little gratitude.
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