JER has appointed its first new chief executive in 28 years. Barden Gale has joined the company from Starwood Capital, where he was vice chairman of real estate. He takes over from Joseph Robert Jr, the founder of JER and its chairman and chief executive since 1981. Robert will become executive chairman. As chief executive, Gale will be responsible for leading the company’s strategic growth and managing its daily business operations globally. He takes up his new role in mid-July and will be based in McLean, Virginia. Robert said: “Barden’s 32 years of experience, exceptionally diverse real estate background, investment expertise and track record as a manager, distinguished him among the candidates. “He is a top executive whose experience through the various real estate cycles, combined with his international experience, makes him a tremendous asset to JER today and in the future.” Gale said: “I am extremely pleased to be joining a renowned firm with a history of managing through and prospering in times of adversity and distress. JER has a solid infrastructure in debt and equity capabilities in the US, Europe and internationally abroad.” Gale is an active member of the commercial real estate community, serving as co-chair of the Real Estate Investor Advisory Council of NAREIT and as a member of the Property Investment Committee of the National Pension Reserve Fund of Ireland. He is also a former board member of the Pension Real Estate Association and of AFIRE. During his career, Gale has also held investment banking roles at Salomon Brothers in London and New York and at Nesbitt Burns Securities in New York. He also served as a principal at a real estate development company in New York and worked as a lawyer. Prior to Starwood, he was chief investment officer for real estate at ABP Investment US, the investment arm of Stitching Pensioenfonds ABP. At ABP, Gale oversaw a global real estate portfolio valued at more than €20bn.
JER has appointed its first new chief executive in 28 years.
Barden Gale has joined the company from Starwood Capital, where he was vice chairman of real estate.
He takes over from Joseph Robert Jr, the founder of JER and its chairman and chief executive since 1981. Robert will become executive chairman.
As chief executive, Gale will be responsible for leading the company’s strategic growth and managing its daily business operations globally.
He takes up his new role in mid-July and will be based in McLean, Virginia.
Robert said: “Barden’s 32 years of experience, exceptionally diverse real estate background, investment expertise and track record as a manager, distinguished him among the candidates.
“He is a top executive whose experience through the various real estate cycles, combined with his international experience, makes him a tremendous asset to JER today and in the future.”
Gale said: “I am extremely pleased to be joining a renowned firm with a history of managing through and prospering in times of adversity and distress. JER has a solid infrastructure in debt and equity capabilities in the US, Europe and internationally abroad.”
Gale is an active member of the commercial real estate community, serving as co-chair of the Real Estate Investor Advisory Council of NAREIT and as a member of the Property Investment Committee of the National Pension Reserve Fund of Ireland.
He is also a former board member of the Pension Real Estate Association and of AFIRE.
During his career, Gale has also held investment banking roles at Salomon Brothers in London and New York and at Nesbitt Burns Securities in New York.
He also served as a principal at a real estate development company in New York and worked as a lawyer.
Prior to Starwood, he was chief investment officer for real estate at ABP Investment US, the investment arm of Stitching Pensioenfonds ABP.
At ABP, Gale oversaw a global real estate portfolio valued at more than €20bn.
samantha.mcclary@rbi.co.uk
