BGI PROPERTIES - Key Persons
You are here:Home » Our Team » Irwin J. Barkan
Irwin Barkan has over thirty years of experience as a business owner in commercial real estate and retail, and has been an active investor in public and private companies; IJ Barkan, Inc. was founded in 1984. Mr. Barkan has developed and invested in major supermarket-anchored shopping centers, office parks and residential projects in the US, Canada and now Africa. He has served an international roster of clients, tenants, financial institutions and partners with a full spectrum of real estate investment services, including ground-up development, construction management, property management, leasing, and asset management. Mr. Barkan was appointed by Massachusetts Governor William Weld as the Governor's representative on the Treasury Investment Advisory Council in 1990. From 1986 to 2006 Mr. Barkan was a member of the American Society of Real estate Counselors' Boston and New York branches. In 2011 Mr. Barkan, Mrs. Barkan and their long-time colleague, Morley Gordon co-founded BG International, LLC in New York City and opened a permanent office in Accra, Ghana. In 2013 BGI funded the first Safe Water Network in the Ashanti region in partnership with His Majesty Asantehene, the Ashanti King. Water in this project began flowing to 12 rural villagers in December 2013. BGI is undertaking new efforts in 2014 to bring safe fresh water to Ghana's Northern Region. Mr. Barkan has been a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) since 1983 and was recently invited to be a founding member of ICSC's Africa Advisory Board. Mr Barkan is also a member of the Middle East and North Africa Council (MENA) and the South Africa Council of Shopping Centers (SASC). He recently addressed the Africa Hotel Investors Forum in Nairobi, Kenya on mixed use projects in Africa, delivered the Africa roundup discussion at the MENA conference in Dubai and made numerous addresses and appearances in the US and Ghana media. Irwin and Lindsay Barkan reside in Vermont, USA and Accra, Ghana; they have three adult sons.
Irwin Barkan has over thirty years as a business owner in commercial real estate and retailing. His companies have developed and owned over 2 million square feet of shopping centers, office buildings and housing projects through out the U.S.
Job Titles:
- Project Executive
- Vice President of BGI Providing Business
John Domino is the vice president of BGI providing business strategy, store development and facilities management expertise internally and to real estate investors. Previously, John has advised and supermarket operators and industry suppliers. John has helped supermarket operators develop their long term growth strategies, update their store formats and scope out store remodels and reduce maintenance, waste and energy expenses.
John bring a wealth of operations, food industry, sustainability and real estate development experience to JDT Retail Strategies. John spent 16 years as a Vice president of Real Estate, Facilities,and Construction for SUPERVALU, the nation's third largest supermarket operator and premier food wholesaler.John was the Managing Director of the company's Design Services Group (DSG) division for 7 years where he grew revenues to $110 million per year and earnings by 600%. John led the company's efforts to develop a Corporate Environmental Stewardship strategy. As part of this work he oversaw the development of a monthly environment of the company's 2 LEED Silver and LEED GOLD supermarkets, the establishment of a monthly environmental metrics report, and an effect to set the company's Carbon Footprint baseline. He also implemented practices that resulted in significant improvement in the company's energy use, waste management and recycling. Also while at SUPERVALU, John oversaw the company's capitals development plan, led all new store real estate and development, and managed the company's extensive store remodel program.
John was a member of the food marketing Institute's (FM) Retail Store Development Committee for seven years, serving as chairman of the committee for two of those years. He was also one of the founding member of FMI's Sustainability Task Force.
John has held a variety of other Real Estate development positions with Showcase Cinemas. Zayre Stores, Harvard Community Health Plan and the Pyramid Companies. John has led initiatives within SUPERVALU and given presentations to various food industry groups on "Store Remodel Best Practices " and " Designing Energy Efficient Supermarkets." John is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Civil Engineering and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Job Titles:
- Board Director
- Co - Founder
You are here:Home » Our Team » Lindsay S. Barkan
Lindsay Barkan is co-founder of BGI LLC and a long-standing real estate investor, developer and professional. Married to Irwin Barkan since 1983 she co-founded IJ Barkan, Inc. in 1984, the Barkan family investment management and service company. Mrs. Barkan resides and works in Accra, Ghana and is a member of the executive committee and daily management team. She directs design development and retail tenant strategies in addition to site selection management.
Prior to the formation of IJ Barkan, Inc. Lindsay had a varied career in Greater Boston business community including marketing and management operations a Boston full service real estate company from 1978 to 1984. Mrs. Barkan earned a degree from Westbrook College, now known as University of New England, Portland, Maine. Irwin and Lindsay have three sons who reside in the United States.
You are here:Home » Our Team » Marvin A. Boateng
Marvin Kojo Adu Boateng is a final year student at the University Of Professional Studies Accra studying Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and also studying ACCA.
Marvin was employed as an accounts officer and auditor officer with the various companies Ga South District Hospital, Hab Consult, National Health Insurance Scheme, and Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ghana Ltd.
Marvin Boateng joined BGI LLC Ghana from Pricewaterhouse Coopers in September 2013 an Accountant/Bookkeeper. He is passionate about Accounting and would like to continue his education and one day become a Certified Public Accountant to provide quality service
Job Titles:
- Project Manager for Kumasi
You are here:Home » Our Team » Michael P. Bonner, Esq.
After graduating magna cum laude from Seton Hall University with degrees in History and Political Science, Michael attended New York Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree. Michael gained considerable experience in all aspects of business and real estate transactions, leasing, zoning and development, corporate stock and asset transfers, commercial transactions, and banking matters while working for some of New Jersey's largest law firms and thereafter founded the Commercial Department of one of Union County's largest firms. His client list has included several Fortune 500 companies and a 25 year relationship handling the real estate, leasing and land use needs of one of the largest grocery distribution/supermarket chains in the northeastern United States.
He has been extremely active in his community serving in numerous capacities for the Union County Chamber of Commerce and Union County Alliance; including Vice Chairman, Executive Committee and Boards of Trustees, as well as many committee chairmanships; directing several long range planning and implementation of infrastructure projects critical to Union County, Newark/Elizabeth Harbor and the State of NJ.
He has also been active in many notable charities including serving as Counsel or on the Board of Trustees of: The ARC of Union County, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church-Nazareth Center Project, Rainbow Foundation and its Noah's Ark Project, King's Daughters Day School, Pico Ski Education Foundation and Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sport-Peak Lodge Project.
Michael is licensed to practice in Federal Court and New Jersey State Court.
You are here:Home » Our Team » Morley Gordon
Morley Gordon has spent five years working as the International Business Managing Director for Fortis Global Group, providing research and analysis on frontier markets for investment banks, IT, and precious gem stones. These clients have included Headwaters Merchant Bank, Scientific Applications International, and GoldenWest Diamond Corp. He provided his clients with political and investment risk advisory services, as well as joint venture and direct investment opportunities, in over twenty countries in Africa. Mr. Gordon was able to leverage his relationships and contacts in Africa to provide unique insights for investment plans and market strategies. Prior to working at Fortis, he worked at SAIC, where he provided defense and intelligence clients analysis on Africa and the Middle East. Mr. Gordon received his MBA in International Business from the University of Edinburgh (UK) in 2005.
Morley Gordon has worked extensively throughout Africa providing research and analysis on frontier markets for investment banks and other institutions. He has provided clients with political and investment risk advisory services for over twenty countries throughout the continent.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance and Leasing
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Development
- in 2011 As Director of Business Development
- Writer
Mr. Sleem joined BGI in 2011 as Director of Business Development responsible for site acquisition, outreach to local business and community leaders. As a Ghanaian with extensive contacts he is instrumental in widening BGI's footprint in Ghana.
Yao is a seasoned writer and has two books to his credit with his current work titled "˜till Debt Do Us Part, current being published.