Open to the Public
With the participation of:
Ron Beit (Newark Real Estate Board member – RBH Group, USA)
Ignacio Jiménez de Laiglesia (Real Estate developer – “Valencia Litoral”, Spain)
Mario Chang (Strategic Advisor, USA)
Christian Benedetto (Hopkins, Sampson & Brown Real Estate Advisory Services, USA)
Debate moderated by:
Gonzalo Delacámara (Environmental Economist – IMDEA Water Foundation, Spain)
Ron Beit (Newark Real Estate Board member – RBH Group, USA)
Ron Beit is the founding partner and CEO of RBH Group, and president of RBH Management, asset and property management companies. RBH is currently developing the groundbreaking Teachers Village Project in the historic core of the city. Ron sits on the Steering Committee for UJA’s REX Division, is a board member of the Newark Real Estate Board, the Newark Alliance, Newark Downtown District, Teach for America and the Newark Police Foundation. Ron and his real estate work in Newark have been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal. Ron earned his Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin, his Juris Doctorate at New York Law School and has been admitted to both the New York and New Jersey Bar Associations.
Ignacio Jiménez de Laiglesia (Real Estate developer – “Valencia Litoral”, Spain)
Since mid 90s Ignacio founded a real estate consulting and brokerage firm, one of the most considerate and influencing professional among the investing players. As a real estate developer he led a professional team to launch “Valencia Litoral” project coinciding with the America´s Cup 2007, with French architect Jean Nouvel. Ignacio holds a Bachelor in Laws and two Diplomas in Advanced Management Programs in Business Administration from IESE Business School (1987) and Real Estate Development from Harvard School of Design (2002). Founder and Director of the PDDI program at the Catholic University of Valencia, from 2002 to 2008. Regional Director of Urban Land Institute of the Valencia Region for more than 10 years. During the last years, Ignacio is collaborating with Telvent-Schneider.
Mario Chang (Strategic Advisor, USA)
Mario Chang studied electrical engineering at the University of California, started career at the University’s Device Research Laboratory working on Solid State Device Physics. As a serial entrepreneur, started several businesses, like the build-out strategy from core acquisitions by boutique private equity firm using Asset-backed securities credit facility on American Receivables, securitized by Japanese firm and placed in the European money markets. He also co-founded a high tech start-up in optical networking. For the past 8 years has launched cross border business initiatives with European and Asian partners and clients, among them launching American-managed, Chinese-owned enterprises, linking relevant operating experience with global capital to develop new market niches and create value.
Christian Benedetto (Hopkins, Sampson & Brown Real Estate Advisory Services, USA)
Christian Benedetto enlisted in the US Marine Corps in the late 80s, serving during the First Gulf War armed with a bachelor’s degree in Financial Services and Philosophy. He received graduate degrees in Finance and Computer Information Systems Management. He re-entered the civilian world as a sales agent specializing in commercial real estate. Within three years, he co-founded one of the most successful real estate brokerage firms in New Jersey. In 2006, he opened the first office of Hopkins, Sampson & Brown Real Estate Advisory Services, LLC. With the opening, he has helped the company become the largest commercial real estate brokerage firm in Newark. He is resident real estate guru, having consulted 500 companies worldwide.
Gonzalo Delacámara (Environmental Economist - IMDEA Water Foundation, Spain)
Gonzalo is an environmental economist, PhD and currently a Senior Research Fellow and Coordinator of the Department of Economic and Institutional Analysis at IMDEA Water Foundation, a non-profit research body – Gonzalo only works in international projects. He has been a Senior Lecturer on Economic Analysis at the UAH for the last 17 years. Water policy advisor for the European Commission and the 2030 Water Resources Group as well as international consultant on water and energy economics for the UN system and international banks. Faculty Member of the Belpasso International Summer School in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. Gonzalo’s approach to architecture, urban design and spatial development is based on advanced microeconomics.