Richard Kessler

Biographie : Richard A. Kessler, Chief Operating Officer With broad experience in all areas of real estate acquisition, disposition, development, leasing and management - as well as extensive finance and capital markets expertise – Mr. Kessler is an integral member of the Benenson Capital Partners (BCP) management team. He has worked for the Benenson family since 1977 and during his three decades with the company, has worked in a variety of areas including development, finance, and acquisition. He was named Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director in 1989 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 1998. During his tenure with the Benenson family, he has been responsible for completing over $2 billion of real estate transactions. As Chief Operating Officer and a member of Benenson Capital Partners, LLC’s investment committee, Mr. Kessler serves as the senior officer responsible for developing the company’s strategic direction and is in over all charge of its day to day operations. In addition to his executive management responsibilities, he is a key leader in developing, evaluating and pursuing the company’s investment, development, joint venture and financing opportunities. EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS o Harvard University – Completed the Advanced Management Development Program (AMDP) and several real estate programs including “Running a Real Estate Company.” o New York University – Degree in real estate finance and investment analysis; received the Mortgage Banker’s Scholarship Award. o Boston University – Undergraduate degree in finance and accounting. MEMBERSHIPS o Chairman of the Urban Land Institute New York District Council. Member of the Executive Committee since 2004, Assistant Chairman (2009) and Co-Chairman of the Membership Committee of the Urban Land Institute, New York District Council (2008 – 2009). o Urban Land Institute Former Program Vice Chairman, Product Council UDMUC Green. o Member of Board of Directors of Interlink Group, LLC. o Academic Leader for Real Estate Programs at Harvard University and Guest Lecturer on Real Estate topics at Columbia University. o International Advisory Board for the Real Estate Academic Initiative at Harvard University. o Co-chairman of the 2008 Harvard Alumni Real Estate Conference. o Co-Chairman of the AMDP alumni advisory committee of the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. o Adjunct Professor in the Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development and Investment Program at New York University; Co-Chairman of its Capital Markets Conference from 2005 to and including 2010. o Member of the Real Estate Roundtable, Young Men’s/Women’s Real Estate Association, New York Real Estate Board and the New York University Real Estate Round Table. o Trustee of Phipps Houses and serves on its Real Estate and Finance Committees. o Former member of the Board of Directors of the School of American Ballet; served as Co-Chairman of its Corporate Advisory Board.