KBS, one of the largest investors in premier commercial real estate in the nation, has promoted Giovanni (Gio) Cordoves from senior vice president and co-director of asset management to Regional President of the Western United States. At age 38, Cordoves is the youngest executive at the firm to hold the position of regional president since the company’s inception in 1992, according to Chuck Schreiber, CEO of KBS.
“Promoting Gio to Regional President of the Western Region is a strategic move that aligns with our firm’s philosophy of developing a strong team of leaders that are well prepared to take on leadership roles at any age,” says Schreiber. “As a young executive, Gio relates well to the millennials who occupy our properties and is ideally prepared to serve our growing tenant roster. His promotion is the natural evolution of our firm’s operating strategy.”
In his new capacity, Cordoves will oversee asset management, leasing, acquisition and disposition activities on behalf of KBS REIT, pension fund, and sovereign wealth-fund clients within the Western Region.
“Gio possesses a strong work ethic, quick decision-making ability, and keen intellect, which have enabled him to succeed in a demanding role at a relatively young age,” notes Schreiber. “His calm and reassuring demeanor while leading his team and meeting challenges have earned him the widespread respect of his colleagues. In addition, his sharp real estate acumen, remarkable problem-solving ability, and unrelenting drive to keep KBS at the top of the CRE industry sets him apart.”
A leader with 13 years of experience at KBS, Cordoves has been responsible for carrying out the firm’s objectives in the Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Minneapolis markets, with a portfolio size of approximately 3.7 million square feet of office and industrial space and a combined market value of nearly $1 billion. He was also previously responsible for other U.S. markets including St. Louis, Tulsa, Indianapolis, and Louisville. In all of these markets, Cordoves was actively involved in all acquisition, disposition, and asset management activities. More recently, he took on additional responsibilities as a co-director of asset management, where he worked closely with the entire asset management team and led companywide directives and planning, among other activities.
Prior to KBS, Cordoves served as a senior associate at Ernst & Young LLP, where he provided a variety of professional services for several Southern California real estate firms, including KBS. He received a master’s degree in accounting from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame and bachelor’s degrees in both business administration and accounting from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and Leventhal School of Accounting with an emphasis in real estate finance. In addition, he is a certified public accountant and a licensed real estate broker.
“I’m excited to be moving forward with a company that is as nimble and successful as KBS,” says Cordoves. “I plan to continue growing within this leadership position at KBS by focusing on what the firm is known for: superior quality of ownership and ensuring that every KBS asset is held to the highest standard of excellence. This includes ensuring that all Western region assets in our client portfolios are quickly adapting to needed changes in the market and catering to tenant needs at every level.”