YOU MIGHT EXPECT GEORGE KOO, CEO/CIO of specialized investment manager Clearmark Partners, to spend a lot of his time looking at the “big picture” when he evaluates investments. After all, his company manages hundreds of millions of dollars for individual and institutional “ultra-high net worth” investors, which means, by definition, these entities may be investing at least $30 million outside of their personal assets and property. Spend a few minutes talking investment strategy with Koo, however, and you will soon find his attention is definitely on the details. Those details include those that only show up under the lens of what Koo refers to as his “forensic work,” which extends far beyond forensic accounting, a fairly traditional concept, and into the concepts of machine learning, artificial intelligence, groundbreaking technology, and a deep understanding of the intricate ways in which politics, policy, and real estate interact on a micro- and macro scale. “My investment style is to make sure that I investigate all these investment opportunities on behalf of my investors and make sure that I do all of my due diligence as thoroughly as possible,” Koo said. “Most importantly, I want to help them manage their risk and make sure they are not risking themselves or their principal investment dollars.” Interestingly, Koo places importance on investors’ principles as well as their principal, which has created a unique place for him in the industry and also places him in a unique analytic position when it comes to the practical effects of politics and policy on an investment portfolio. This principled approach to investing is focused on client needs and prudent risk-management, he noted. Thanks to a diverse background (see right for a partial list of Koo's credentials) in finance, international relations, and accounting alonside his current pursuit of a PhD in Quantitative Finance and Technology, Koo is well placed to advise and strategize in all investment sectors, including real estate.
PROFESSIONALPROFILE: GEORGE KOO
Academic Background:
PhD in Quantitative Finance & Technology : Virginia Tech (in process) Master of Liberal Arts in International Realations : Harvard University
Certified Public Accountant
MBA and BS in Finance and Accounting, respectively: St. John’s University
Chartered Financial Analyst
Professional Positions & Experience:
CEO & Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Clearmark Partners LLC 2009-PRESENT Clearmark Partners specializes in investment management for institutions and wealth-management services for ultra-high net worth individuals. The company currently manages around $500 million. Managing Partner, Hillcrest Capital Advisors, LLC 2000-2009 Provided investment consulting services specializing in distressed securities, turnarounds, and restructuring at the height of the financial crisis. Head of Research, Investment Banker & CFO, Dalman Rose & Co. 2003-2007 Structured more than $3 billion in initial public offerings, secondary offerings, and private placements for the marine shipping and energy industries.
CEO & President, Digital Systems Group 2000-2002
Successful turnaround of a bank- foreclosed information technology services company between 2000 and 2002.
Investment Banker, Burnham Securities, Inc. 1993-2000 Specialized in turnarounds,
restructurings, bankruptcies, and distressed situations and conducted special situations research. Vice President & Portfolio Manager, Chase Manhattan Bank 1985-1992 Managed $3 billion in fixed-income/ mortgage-backed securities portfolios. Played a role in pioneering the process of investing in mortgage- backed securities, including developing algorithms for distribution of cash flow to investors.
Learn more about George Koo and Clearmark Partners at ClearmarkPartners.com
20 | think realty magazine :: november 2018
thinkrealty . com | 21
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