|
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry G. Cisneros, former US Secretary of HUD and current Executive Chairman of urban institutional investor CityView, yesterday announced that the company has joined forces with two prominent real estate veterans to strengthen its investment platform and expand its leadership team. J. David Martin and Lee H. Wagman will join CityView as Vice Chairmen and co-owners of CityView's expanded investment management company.
Since its inception in 2000, CityView's mission has been to create urban workforce and smart growth developments in cities across America. Having worked closely with Martin and Wagman for nearly six years as development partners, CityView established a close, stable relationship with the two industry leaders. Martin and Wagman bring decades of experience and deep resources that will complement CityView's successful investment business and enable the company to broaden its current workforce housing investment strategy to include multi-family housing, mixed-use, and commercial properties.
"The addition of David and Lee underscores our commitment to our mission of providing 'Smart Capital for Smart Growth'. At a time when the real estate investment market is going through a period of profound change marked by consolidation, deleveraging and globalization, it is more important than ever to add seasoned leaders with deep operating, development and management experience," stated Cisneros. "David Martin and Lee Wagman have had extraordinary careers spanning more than three decades. They've built dozens of complex urban developments valued at billions of dollars and have demonstrated their ability to create value, source investments and manage capital across multiple asset classes."
Sean Burton, President and Chief Operating Officer at CityView, added "CityView sees tremendous investment opportunities in the near future. Having led large real estate operating companies, David and Lee bring complementary expertise and long-term relationships to our company."
Going forward, Cisneros will remain as the company's Executive Chairman. David Martin and Lee Wagman will serve as Vice Chairmen of the company along with longtime investment manager and co-founder, Victor Miramontes. Sean Burton will continue to serve as President and COO managing the company's expanded operations and ensuring that the company's goals and mission are met.
"We have partnered with CityView on multiple development projects," said J. David Martin. "In the process, we developed a great respect for the professionalism, values, and judgment of their entire team. We look forward to this new, closer relationship that will allow us to expand the CityView investment platform in urban properties."
"There are going to be extraordinary near-term opportunities to invest in U.S. real estate and infrastructure," added Lee Wagman. "We are tremendously excited about working with Henry, Sean and the entire CityView team to take the next logical step toward expanding our relationship and our urban investment strategies."
Cisneros' extensive governmental experience within the nation's urban areas and an unwavering dedication to America's job centers are important components of CityView's comprehensive investment strategy. Prior to establishing CityView, Cisneros served as four term Mayor of San Antonio, TX before serving as U.S. Secretary of HUD during President Clinton's administration. Cisneros also served as President of Univision, the Spanish language television network; Deputy Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; a board member of the American Democracy Institute; and a board member of the Rockefeller Foundation. Cisneros holds degrees from Texas A&M University, the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and George Washington University.
J. David Martin was the founder and Chairman of The Martin Group, a 25 year old real estate company that developed a property portfolio exceeding $3 billion. Over his career, Martin has had hands-on experience with most real estate types, including award winning office, R&D, industrial, retail, hotel, apartments, for-sale housing, land, and mixed-use properties. His development expertise includes new construction, historic rehabilitation, affordable housing and public/private partnerships. Previous projects include the redevelopment of Hamilton Army Airbase in Novato, CA; the mixed-use redevelopment of the Emeryville, CA waterfront; the mixed-use development of Downtown Pleasant Hill, CA; and the adaptive reuse of the 1100 Wilshire Blvd. building in downtown Los Angeles, CA. From 1995 to 2000, Martin was Director and CEO of Burnham Pacific Properties, Inc., a publicly traded REIT based in San Diego, CA. Under Martin's leadership, Burnham Pacific grew to one of the largest owners of retail centers nationwide through a national exclusive investment relationship with CalPERS for community retail properties. From 2001 to 2008, Martin served as CEO of YPO-WPO, the world's largest network of CEOs with over 16,000 members in 100 countries and as the Chairman of the International Board of YPO from 2001-2002. Martin holds a degree from the University of North Alabama and pursued post graduate studies at Golden Gate University. He completed the Presidents' Program on Leadership at Harvard University Graduate School of Business and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and various industry organizations.
Lee Wagman has been the CEO of The Martin Group since 2005. Prior to that, he served for eight years as President and CEO of The Hahn Company and its successor, TrizecHahn Centers. Both were a part of Trizec Properties, a $5B publicly traded REIT. In this capacity, Wagman headed one of the largest shopping center companies in the United States with 43 regional malls, 1,700 employees and a portfolio that included some of the best known retail centers in the country. He was responsible for setting the strategic direction of the company and all aspects of its development, operations, and asset management. He reorganized the company and ultimately executed a successful strategy to sell Trizec's retail portfolio. During this period, Wagman developed several precedent-setting projects, including Park Meadows in Denver, CO; Paseo Colorado in Pasadena, CA; expansions of Horton Plaza in San Diego, CA and Prudential Center in Boston, MA; West End City Center in Budapest, Hungary; The Kodak Theatre and Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to joining Hahn, Mr. Wagman served for 16 years as Chairman and CEO of Hycel Properties Company in St. Louis, a privately held shopping center development and management company he formed in 1981. In that capacity, Wagman developed and owned several large regional malls, including the Saint Louis Galleria, one of the premier retail properties in the U.S. Wagman holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, its Wharton School and its Law School. He practiced law for four years at Bryan Cave, LLP. Wagman is a long time Trustee of the ICSC, founding Chair of the real estate industry's Mixed Use Committee, and a member of the Urban Land Institute.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed