CHATHAM, N.J., Oct. 1, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Garibaldi Group announced that it has established a Capital Markets advisory group specializing in debt and equity solutions for commercial real estate and that it has hired Gary J. Sopko as Managing Director of Capital Market Services for that group. Mr. Sopko is now responsible for delivering the optimal capitalization structure for The Garibaldi Groups clients' investment, development and financing needs by sourcing both debt and equity for commercial real estate opportunities.
In addition to delivering optimal capitalization structure, The Garibaldi Group also provides analytical and market specific support services. "Our network — a proprietary data base — includes public and private operating companies, institutional and high net worth individual joint venture equity, international and U.S. banks, pension fund advisors, life insurance companies, hedge funds and credit companies. These contacts, developed over our ninety-nine year history, provide our clients with unprecedented access to capital and the assurance that our services rendered are the best the market has to offer," said CEO Jim Garibaldi. "Gary has the experience and leadership skills working with top firms providing real estate advisement and investment banking specialization in debt and equity solutions. Our company has a primary focus in office, industrial, multi-family and hospitality product types. However, our expertise also extends to land use, entitlement and development for which we can provide valuable services."
Prior to joining The Garibaldi Group, Mr. Sopko was a principal with the Llenrock Group, a real estate advisory and investment banking firm specializing in providing debt and equity solutions for its clients. Previously Mr. Sopko was Managing Director- Capital Markets and Acquisitions of a regional commercial real estate investment and development company. He was responsible for all capital markets activities, acquisitions/dispositions, banking and institutional joint venture relationships. Other responsibilities include contract negotiations and closings, asset management overview, asset risk/return analysis, derivative hedging strategy, development of due diligence policies and procedures and budget overview. Mr. Sopko developed and executed the Company's regional investment platform throughout the Northeast focused primarily on suburban Washington, D.C, metropolitan New York/New Jersey and Greater Boston, MA. Mr. Sopko began his professional career as a banker with Marine Midland Bank (HSBC), State Street Bank and The Bank of New York. He holds an MBA in finance from Miami University.
"With a record of funding in excess of $1.5 billion in debt and $750 million of fully funded equity investments by this group, the addition of Capital Market Services to the Financial Services historically provided by The Garibaldi Group enable us to meet the full spectrum of financial needs of our clients," added Jim Garibaldi.
About The Garibaldi Group
The Garibaldi Group is a full-service, global real estate firm now in its tenth decade of operation. With offices in Chatham, New Jersey, as well as in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, the firm's extensive services include real estate consulting and brokerage services, financial services, lease administration, project management/development and property/construction management.
The Garibaldi Group is a member of CORFAC International, an organization of leading, privately-held, entrepreneurial commercial real estate firms serving 100 major markets in North America, and internationally through its King Sturge CORFAC International alliance.
For more information, please contact The Garibaldi Group/CORFAC International at 973-635-0303 or visit www.garibaldi.com.