Get on deck for 2019! You don’t want to miss this year’s shark tank featuring some of the best sharks out there.
Cost: FREE for Cabinet members, $50 for first-time guests, and $100 for all others and walk-ins. (PLEASE NOTE: Any person who has not renewed their membership must renew at the door or pay the non-member fee of $100.)
Dietary laws observed.
Sign up for Cabinet Membership or renew today!
If you are interested in learning more about REC or have any questions, please contact Julia Hubner at (323) 761-8332 or JHubner@JewishLA.org.
The Sharks
Jeff Friedman, Mesa West Capital
Mr. Friedman is a Principal with Mesa West Capital. Prior to co-founding Mesa West in 2004, Mr. Friedman spent three years at Maguire Partners as a Principal and was in charge of capital market activities, which included the restructuring of the firm’s debt, the buy-out of partners, and the firm’s eventual $800 million initial public offering. Mr. Friedman transitioned into real estate finance in 1994 initially as a Vice President originating large loans at Nomura Asset Capital Corporation and later as a Director at Credit Suisse First Boston in New York. Mr. Friedman began his career as a corporate lawyer, working initially in Tokyo, Japan for an affiliate of Sidley & Austin and then in New York for Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Mr. Friedman received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a master’s degree in Applied Economics, and a JD from the University of Michigan.
Michael Sorochinsky, Cypress Equity Investments
As Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Sorochinsky is the visionary of CEI and the driving force behind the company’s $5 billion real estate portfolio. Michael’s investment strategies, business philosophy, and transaction execution diligence has brought about substantial annualized returns to equity.
From 2001 through 2005, Michael focused CEI’s investments in the value-add multifamily space, purchasing over 70 properties comprising of 3,500 apartment units and retail.
In late 2006, Michael began to notice significant stress on the credit markets, and by 2007 advised his partners to start selling properties. Under Michael’s leadership, CEI successfully sold approximately 80% of its portfolio for significant gains prior to the crash of 2008. From 2008 through 2010, Michael focused CEI’s investments on purchasing blocks of distressed single family homes in some of the hardest-hit areas in the country as well as investing in real estate related operating companies.
In 2010, before large numbers of developers jumped into the multifamily development game, Michael saw an opportunity to build Class A apartments in top cities around the US and led CEI to amass a development pipeline of over 5,100 luxury apartments with projected value in excess of $5 billion in 10 top markets.
Prior to 2001, Michael practiced law at two international law firms — Perkins Coie and Milbank Tweed — representing creditors in distressed real estate debt and equity reorganizations. Michael’s background gives him a unique perspective into real estate finance and an in-depth understanding of real estate cycles, which he has successfully timed since 2001. Michael was also heavily involved in restructuring debt and equity relationships for clients and repositioning distressed projects across both commercial and residential asset classes. Michael received his JD from the UCLA School of Law.
Dani Evanson, Align Finance Partners & Regis Metro Associates, Inc.
Ms. Evanson is a Principal of Align Finance Partners and Managing Director of Regis Metro Associates, Inc. (RMA). Together with executive management, she co-leads the firms’ strategic direction.
Ms. Evanson has over 22 years of experience in real estate, with a background in finance, acquisitions, dispositions, and portfolio management. She serves on the companies’ investment committees.
Prior to forming Align and joining RMA, Ms. Evanson served as a Real Estate Director at a Los Angeles-based family office. Ms. Evanson was primarily responsible for investing and managing a $500 million real estate portfolio valued at over $2 billion consisting of investments in commercial properties, investment funds, joint ventures, and real estate operating companies. Ms. Evanson also served on the advisory board for two real estate investment funds.
Dani is a licensed California CPA (inactive), CMA (inactive), and California real estate broker. Dani is a current member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization; 2018/2019 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Chair, City of Los Angeles; and Board Member of Abode Communities.
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