Eric Smith, Managing Member
Eric is KCR’s principal Managing Member, bringing extensive acquisitions, development, asset and project management experience to the team. In addition to leading KCR’s acquisition efforts, Eric handles project feasibility studies, site selection services, financial pro forma modeling and underwriting, as well as project entitlement, development and asset preservation.
Prior to joining KCR, Eric was a principal at Lankford & Associates, Inc. where he developed feasibility and economic analysis at local and regional levels, including construction management and asset review based on his background in Civil Engineering and Construction Management. Eric’s project management experience includes, Yuma City Hall, Arizona; Broadway 655, San Diego; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine in La Jolla, California; Sharp HealthCare in San Diego, CA; and Lane Field hotel projects.
Eric received a graduate degree of Master of Business Administration in Real Estate and Finance from the University of San Diego in 2006. He received an undergraduate degree Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky in May, 1996 and holds an Engineer-in-Training Certificate.
Patrick C. Valentino, Principal
Patrick serves as counsel to KCR Capital and is currently a partner at the law firm of BurgherGray LLP in New York, where his practice focuses on commercial real estate including hospitality, affordable housing, and distressed assets. Patrick’s comprehensive commercial real estate experience over the past 30 years includes acquisitions and dispositions of commercial real estate assets, the negotiation and closing of debt acquisitions and sales, workouts, real estate secured lending, office and retail leasing, and joint venture partnerships. Commercial product types range from hotel, multifamily, office, industrial, affordable housing, community centers, retail, and mixed-use. Patrick also developed expertise in distressed debt acquisitions and real estate workouts.
In addition to his legal experience, Patrick previously served as a senior professional with several investment banks focusing on public finance, mergers and acquisitions, and venture financings. Patrick began his career in New York with Merrill Lynch Capital Market’s Public Finance Investment Banking Group. He was also a Managing Director for San Francisco-based Viant Group LLC where he focused on private equity transactions for healthcare growth companies. Patrick received his J.D. from, Northwestern University School of Law, Moot Court Board, and his B.A. from the State University of New York, at Albany, Magna Cum Laude.
Karl Coleman, Founder (Oct 1968 - Oct 2020)
We are sad to report the unfortunate and sudden passing of Karl Coleman on October 27, 2020. With over 27 years of experience in the acquisition of real estate and distressed assets, Karl lead the successful completion of over $2 billion in principal transactions. Throughout his career Karl sourced and directed the acquisition of sub-performing and non-performing commercial real estate secured loans and loan portfolios as well as the direct purchase of REO properties.
Karl received a B.A. in Philosophy, summa cum laude, from the University of San Diego and was pursuing an M.S. in Architecture from the New School of Architecture and Design in San Diego, CA. Karl was a licensed California Real Estate Broker, and CCIM candidate as well as a member of the Urban Land Institute and San Diego Architectural Foundation.
Our Advisory Team:
Melissa Sharick, Senior Investment Advisor
Ms. Sharick brings significant experience overseeing a national portfolio of multifamily investments including property oversight, budget management, investor reporting, strategic direction, and business plan execution throughout the life cycle of an asset.
Her extensive background in commercial real estate encompasses investment management, acquisitions, and project development. Ms. Sharick directed portfolio management and business development for a private equity firm and oversaw a $400MM portfolio of commercial real estate and partnership investments. Before transitioning into portfolio management, she held the role of Vice President of Acquisitions at Interwest Capital Corp. In her time at Interwest, she was instrumental in growing the portfolio by $375MM through both apartment and hotel investments.
Ms. Sharick received her MBA and MS in Real Estate from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Economics from the University of California, San Diego.
Robert Watson, Hotel Project Mgr, Branding and Development Advisor.
Robert is considered one of the nation’s leading lifestyle hospitality innovators with a deep hotel background and a skill set encompassing operations, development and branding. Robert is CEO and President for BOND Partners, a hotel development, asset management and advisory company he founded in 2005. During this period he also served as President and Partner with Solage Hotels and Resorts, at the time, part of Auberge Resorts. Robert is also recognized as a key player in the creation and operation of both the Hotel Monaco Brand with Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group and W Hotels, with Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Robert served as Regional Director of Brand Operations for W Hotels Western U.S. properties. Robert joined the W Brand at its inception, and was instrumental in the brand’s successful evolution while holding numerous General Manager positions leading up to his regional appointment. Before W, Robert worked with Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group for five years, during which time he opened the first Hotel Monaco and was part of the brand’s impressive development and expansion.
Robert began his hotel and restaurant career with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Robert has also been involved with over thirty hotel and restaurant openings in the United States and abroad. Robert completed his undergraduate studies at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, California; received a Masters Degree in International Hotel Management from Schiller International University in London, England and was awarded an Executive Diploma in Hotel Finance and Development from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.