GOODNESS VENTURES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Managing Principal
Investor, developer, operator, asset manager, brand builder, volunteer firefighter - - Christopher has worn many helmets over the course of a career that has taken him around the globe directing and collaborating on legendary hotels for the likes of Prince Al Waleed bin Talal's Kingdom Hotel Investments, QIA's Katara Hospitality and hospitality icon Ian Schrager; to name a few. From the development of The Peninsula Paris and Four Seasons Marrakech to the restoration of the Raffles Grand d'Angkor Siem Reap there are few challenges that he has not overcome. Christopher looks forward to collaborating with and bringing light to your project.
Michael has over 40 years experience in all facets of real estate development and finance. He has operated or been a senior executive of a number of companies providing financial advisory, investment management, banking and development services to domestic and international investors and corporations; as well as governments and government sponsored enterprises. His investment, finance, development experience and focus include urban mixed use real estate, hospitality, health care as well as sports and entertainment facilities.
Until January of 2006, Mr. Sears was the Managing Director for GMAC Commercial Holding Capital Markets' New York City and Washington, DC offices. There he initiated and/or managed billions of commercial loans and equity investments in a wide variety of real estate and/or balance sheet backed transactions. At GMAC he worked closely with high net private investors, institutional investors and lenders; as well as with domestic and foreign governments. His commercial finance projects in Washington, DC included the Washington DC National's professional baseball stadium and the mixed use projects of Gallery Place and Time Warner Center, and the origination in New York City the first commercial mortgage issued after 9/11/2001.
Prior to joining GMAC in 1998, he was the Manager of the Bear Stearns investment banking offices in Washington, DC. From 1982 and until 1992, Michael was an independent financial adviser to high net worth private individuals, public and private corporations and commercial banks.
He began his real estate development and finance career in 1973 as a public servant. Initially, Sears served as an Assistant to the President of the New York State Urban Development Corporation (UDC), which was founded by then Governor Nelson Rockefeller. In 1975, he continued his career in government as the founder and President of the Denver Housing Corporation (DHC), a special purpose public benefit corporation.
A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mr. Sears attended Columbia University, McGill University and graduated in 1975 from the University of Denver with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics. Over his career, Mr. Sears has been a frequent lecturer on real estate development and finance at business symposiums and universities. These include the Institute of Real Estate Management, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Multifamily Housing Conference, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, National Leased Housing Association, National Housing & Rehabilitation Association, New York Law Journal Continuing Legal Education Seminars, New York University, University of Colorado and Harvard Graduate School of Design. Mr. Sears has also served on several industry trade associations, privately and publicly held boards of directors.