Real Estate Advisory Council

The School's Real Estate Advisory Council includes prominent real estate industry leaders from South Florida and across the nation. The Committee is chaired by Randy Weisburd, the President and COO of Atlantic Pacific Companies. The Council advises the School on the development of its real estate programs and is helping the School establish and promote a new Center for Real Estate Studies and Research.

In their words

Our Council Members

Edgardo Defortuna headshot
Edgardo A. Defortuna, MBA '82

It is extremely exciting to observe the amazing growth and academic quality of the Miami Herbert Business School. As an MBA alumnus, being a member of the Advisory Council is not only an honor but a wonderful experience. The talent, camaraderie, openness and diversity of points of view of the members is something that I truly appreciate and enjoy.

President and CEO Fortune International Realty Inc.
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Katherine (Katie) Sproul

It is great to meet and interact with the students as well as share industry intel with fellow council board members.

CEO Halstatt Real Estate Partners
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Malcolm Butters, BBA '82

The advisory council at the Miami Herbert Real Estate program is a dynamic, powerful board that has been instrumental in providing guidance and opportunities for students looking to enter the real estate field. Few universities can make this claim and have the same pedigree of board members.

President Butters Construction and Development
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Manuel Martin

The council is a terrific tool to help Miami Herbert Business School further achieve its mission. I am proud about my membership and feel lucky to interact with the array of market leaders sitting alongside me.

Managing Director Nuveen Real Estate
Sandeep Mathrani
Sandeep Mathrani

It's an honor to be a Miami Herbert Real Estate Program Advisory Council member. I look forward to working with the council to advance the program's mission of developing principled leaders that transform global business and society and I hope my participation helps to inspire and educate the future minds of real estate.

Executive Advisor Sycamore Partners
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Roger Morales, BBA '00

I very much like reconnecting with the School (my alma mater) and the interaction with such a highly regarded group of real estate practitioners.

Partner and Head of Commercial Real Estate Acquisitions KKR
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Thomas Bartelmo

From the beginning, working with the Miami Herbert Real Estate Program has been an enlightening and rewarding experience because of the people. I enjoy partnering with innovative and distinguished colleagues and working with dedicated and passionate faculty members – especially Andrea Heuson. It is an honor to be part of this collaborative effort to provide educational opportunities, internships and resources that help prepare outstanding students to become effective and thoughtful business and community leaders.

President and CEO The Kislak Organization
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Tere Blanca, BBA '81, MBA '83

Serving on Miami Herbert School Real Estate Advisory Council from its inception has been an enriching experience allowing me to enjoy collaborating with like-minded top industry professionals who care for our community, specifically for my alma mater UM, and facilitating my active involvement in mentoring future leaders in real estate.

Founder, Chairman & CEO Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Inc.
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Lynn Hackney

I have had the privilege of meeting the most interesting and smart business minds in the real estate field on our advisory board. The relationships are invaluable, and we have a lot of laughs and fun along the way. One of the best board decisions I’ve ever made.

Principal Community Three
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Sonny Kalsi

I am incredibly honored to be a member of the Miami Herbert Real Estate Program Advisory Council. South Florida is a high growth area and the University of Miami will be a big beneficiary. I look forward to working with the council, faculty and most importantly the students to help the program grow and thrive in such an exciting environment.

Co-CEO Bentall Greenoak
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Howard M. Lorber

Miami plays a pivotal role in the worlds of finance, technology, art, cuisine and architecture, and each of these important disciplines relies on real estate to flourish. It is an honor to be part of this exciting institution dedicated to developing the skills and minds of tomorrow’s leaders in residential and commercial real estate.

President & CEO Vector Group Ltd.
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Alfonso Munk

Great to get involved in the Miami real estate community while we help the students access the Industry. Miami is a thriving and global destination that will continue to be a major market for Hines.

Chief Investment Officer, Americas Hines
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Gabriel Navarro

As a University of Miami alumnus, I am proud to be able to give back financially and through service on the Real Estate Advisory Board.

Managing Partner MMG Equity Partners

Members

Randy K. Weisburd, BBA '89
Board Chair

President and COO
Atlantic Pacific Companies
Malcolm Butters, BBA'82
President
Butters Construction and Development

Alexis Kantt
Principal, Blackstone Real Estate Europe
Blackstone

Alfonso Munk
Chief Investment Officer, Americas
Hines

Manuel de Zarraga, MBA'83, BSCE'83
Vice Chair   
Executive Managing Director      
JLL Capital Markets

Thomas Christopoul
Co-Founder 
54 Madison Partners, LLC
Marcelo Kingston
Managing Director
Multiplan Real Asset Management
Gabe Navarro
Managing Partner
MMG Equity Partners
Matthew J. Allen
Executive Vice President and COO
The Related Group
Michael Comras, BBA '83
Principal
The Comras Company of Florida
Howard M. Lorber
President and CEO
Vector Group Ltd.
Neil Shah
President & COO
Hersha Hospitality Trust
Paul Amoruso, BBA '82
Managing Director
Oxford & Simpson Realty Services
Edgardo A. Defortuna, MBA'82
President and CEO
Fortune International Realty Inc.
David Luski
President
DRA Advisors LLC
Katherine Sproul
CEO
Halstatt Real Estate Partners
Thomas Bartelmo
President and CEO
The Kislak Organization
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Managing Director
Spring Bay Property Company LLC
Jackie Mansfield
Principal
Tristar Capital
Zachary Witkoff
Executive Vice President
The Witkoff Group, LLC
Chair of the Witkoff Foundation 
Tere Blanca, BBA '81, MBA '83
President and CEO
Blanca Commercial Real Estate
James E. Flaum
Managing Director,
Global Head of Commercial Real Estate Lending Morgan Stanley Inc.
Manuel Martin
Managing Partner
Azora Exan
 
Douglas J. Bowen
Managing Director Clarion Partners
DJB Associates
Warren de Haan
Managing Partner and CEO
Acore Captial
Sandeep Mathrani
Executive Advisor
Sycamore Partners

 

Richard Brickell
Senior Vice President
Joseph P. Day Realty Corp
Lynn Hackney
Principal
Community Three
Camilo Miguel, Jr., BBA '99
Founder & CEO
Mast Capital
 
Jeff Brown
President and Vice Chairman
NFI Industries
Sonny Kalsi
Co-CEO
Bentall Greenoak
Roger Morales, BBA '00
Partner and Head of Commercial Real Estate Acquisitions
KKR
 

Emeritus Members

Carol Greenberg Brooks
President
Continental Real Estate Companies (CREC)
Andrew Smulian
Chairman and CEO
Akerman Senterfitt
William Cohen
Executive Vice President & Principal
Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Real Estate
Gary Trock
Senior Vice President
CBRE
David G. Levin
Vice-Chairman and President
Camden Land Partners
Warren Weiser
CEO
Continental Real Estate Companies (CREC)
Mark E. Rose
CEO
Avison Young

Steven C. Witkoff
Emeritus Chairman
Chairman and CEO
The Witkoff Group

Scott Sime
President
Sime Realty