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)
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 ?rms in New Jersey. In 2006, he opened the ?rst of?ce of Hopkins, Sampson & Brown Real Estate Advisory Services, LLC. With the opening, he has helped the company become the largest commercial real estate brokerage ?rm 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.
