Larry Jensen (BA ’74) is the chairman and principal of Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Advisors Partners. Jensen and his team advise and represent corporations, institutions and individuals with innovative strategies, planning and implementation related to business and commercial real estate. With more than 40 years in the commercial real estate business, Jensen has been recognized as the “Commercial Broker of the Year,” “Office Broker of the Year” and “Office Leasing Broker of the Year” for the Memphis region by his real estate industry peers.
Outside of his role with the State Board and his career, Jensen is a proud University of Memphis alum and supporter. He has served on the Board of Visitors for the University of Memphis and the Board of Advisors for the University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business & Economics. He was formerly the president of Memphis Tomorrow, an organization of CEOs of the larger Memphis-area companies and institutions. He also previously served as chairman of the Memphis Regional Chamber.
Jensen has participated in the Chamber of Commerce’s Chairman Circle and served on the Methodist Healthcare Foundation as Chairman and the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences Chancellor’s Roundtable. Jensen also serves on the National Board of Directors for Ducks Unlimited, as a trustee of the Governor’s Books from Birth for Tennessee and as co-chair of the Education Committee on the Committee for Economic Development.
Jensen is also passionate about leadership within the local community. He has served for more than 10 years on the founding board of trustees and the executive committee of Shelby Farms Park Conservancy (SFPC). SFPC is responsible for the oversight of the park, its operations and the recently completed $70 million redevelopment of the 4,500-acre park, which is among the largest urban parks in the U.S. He has served as Vice Chairman and committee chair for Park Operations.
He continues to give back to the University of Memphis through scholarships and service. A lifelong Memphian, Jensen is also a Sunday School teacher of over 45 years, a proud grandfather of nine and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity.
Larry Jensen is the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner.
The University of Memphis Distinguished Alumni Awards honor esteemed graduates and friends in the categories of Distinguished Alum, Distinguished Young Alum, Cornerstone Award and the UofM Illustrious Service Award. This event is hosted by the UofM Alumni Association and the National Alumni Association Executive Board of Directors. Learn more at alumni.memphis.edu/daa.
