Bisnow CEO Will Friend, who oversaw the company’s growth into a global organization, died unexpectedly near his home in North Carolina over the July 4 weekend. He was 33. 

Named CEO of Bisnow at age 27 in 2015, Friend guided the company through its sale to private equity firm Wicks Group a year into his tenure. Four years after that, he would lead the company through the pandemic, a time of uncertainty for commercial real estate and media organizations. 

“Will was a trusted partner, executive and a friend,” said Wicks Group managing partner Daniel Kortick in a statement. “He approached every opportunity and challenge with extreme confidence and optimism which was infectious to everyone surrounding him. We mourn the loss of such a quality human being and we will miss Will and all that he brought to the world.” 

Connect Media founder and CEO Daniel Ceniceros remembered Friend as one with “a passion for learning more.” He said, ‘We were competitors, but we were also friends.”   

A deep-sea diver and Ironman triathlete, Friend was born in London and moved to the U.S. at age 15.

Pictured: Will Friend in 2016. Photo courtesy of Bisnow.