Vertically integrated, multifamily real estate investment, development and management company – Cortland – announces it has appointed Jason Kern as President of Investment Management. The newly created role has been created to support the firm’s continued growth in the United States and overseas.
Reporting to Steven DeFrancis, Cortland’s CEO, Jason will help formulate and implement strategies for the management and growth – both organically and through mergers and acquisitions – of the firm by leveraging its areas of competitive advantage and exploring ways to expand its capabilities. Jason will also oversee the investments, capital markets, corporate finance, investor relations, tax and accounting teams.
“The creation of this role is vital to supporting Cortland’s growth and fostering continued success while preserving the continuity and strengths of the firm’s existing business. Jason’s depth of global experience gives us confidence that he will lead with an innovative and strategic mindset to help take Cortland to the next phase of our growth.”
Steven DeFrancis, CEO, Cortland
Most recently, Kern served as CEO of LaSalle Investment Management’s Americas division for eight years. He was responsible for managing $24bn of assets under management and leading the company’s real estate private equity and debt businesses, including strategy, personnel, investments, client relationships and operations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Prior to LaSalle, Kern founded and led the Real Estate & Lodging Advisory, Asia Pacific business for HSBC Bank USA. Before that, Jason spent 17 years with J.P. Morgan in the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific, mostly in executive positions in the Global Real Estate & Lodging Investment Banking Group.
Kern has served as a Member of the Boards of Directors of JLL Income Property Trust, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers (NAREIM), and the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE). He earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting at New York University Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and English Literature at Colgate University.
“Utilising strategic investments to spur growth has been a focus of mine throughout my career. I’m excited to join a rapidly growing, values-driven organisation with a passion for innovation and collaboration, and I am truly inspired to be a part of such a talented team.”
Jason Kern, President of Investment Management, Cortland
