Melissa J. de Quesada
Brookhaven, GA 30319
**********@*****.*** Cell: 678-***-****
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GREGORY GREENFIELD & ASSOCIATES – Atlanta, Ga. 2003 to present
(Boutique retail advisory firm specializing in the repositioning of regional malls)
Asset Manager
Responsible for the oversight of all property initiatives for a portfolio of regional malls including acquisitions, dispositions, refinancings, overall leasing strategy, review and approval of all lease documents, redevelopments, renovations and other major capital investments. Other duties include monitoring progress against expectations, communicating with and reporting to various investors, insuring compliance to loan documents, seeking investor and lender approval as required and overseeing strategic property operational matters including tax protests, marketing, specialty leasing and key personnel decisions
Assisted in acquisition due diligence and underwriting for four retail assets for $310 million aggregate cost
Completed $295 million loan refinancings covering four regional mall properties
Completed the dispositions of four retail assets to national REITs and private equity real estate funds for $400 million aggregate sale price
Manage large capital projects including mall renovations, roof and parking lot projects including projects associated with property insurance claims, and other initiatives including property name changes, new graphics and signage programs, play areas and holiday décor programs
Identify and execute property value enhancements such as outparcel additions, lifestyle components and other redevelopments
Analyze, negotiate and complete leases with large national tenants such as T.J.Maxx, Ulta Cosmetics, AMC Theaters, A.C. Moore and Charming Charlie
Maintain ARGUS models and review financial statements, budgets and other operational reports
CADILLAC FAIRVIEW U.S. INC. – Atlanta, Ga. 1997 to 2003
(U.S. division of Canadian-based owner/developer of $28 billion commercial real estate portfolio)
Assistant Vice President – Asset Manager, U.S. Portfolio
Overall responsibility for the leasing process for ten regional/super-regional shopping centers including deal review and lease review and execution for in-line, anchor and specialty leasing
Investment structures included both wholly owned assets and joint venture arrangements
Oversight of property management, marketing, budgeting and financial reporting on portfolio and property levels
Assisted in property acquisitions and sales including the 2003 $542 million sale to the Mills Corporation
Ensured adherence to lender requirements
Interfaced with head office, third-party manager and on-site management regarding operational issues
Administered 401k plan and other employee benefits
MELISSA DE QUESADA PAGE TWO
CORPORATE PROPERTY INVESTORS – New York, N.Y. 1985 to 1996
(Privately held REIT acquired by Simon Property Group in 1998 for $5.78 billion)
Assistant Vice President, Director of Lease Administration 1990 to 1996
Supervisory responsibilities over lease administration department
Reported on leasing progress and vacancy at 24 regional, super-regional shopping centers
Primary liaison between leasing, legal, accounting, asset management and on-site management
Coordinated preparation and review of annual leasing plans, rental and capital budgets and reported on variances
Reviewed all leasing deals and effectuated lease execution and transmittal of key data to financial staff
Negotiated with tenants, including those operating under Chapter 11 regarding leases, lease cancellations, rent relief and disputes
Streamlined and computerized procedures
Assistant Treasurer 1986 to 1990
Supervised consolidation, financial reporting and accounting departments
Oversight and review of quarterly and annual financial reporting to trustees and shareholders, joint venture partners, mortgagees, rating agencies and Eurobond trustee
Implemented accounting standards and developed new policies and procedures
Interfaced with public accountants, partners, appraisal firm, and annual report printer and designer
Assisted counsel and managers with offering circulars for eurobond and equity offerings
Prepared interim appraisals, rating agency presentations, mortgage prepayment analyses, reviews of debt instruments and other financial analyses
Supervisor of Revenue Group 1985 to 1986
Supervised department responsible for billing, collecting and accounting for rental income
ERNST & YOUNG - New York, N.Y. 1982 to 1985
(formerly Ernst & Whinney)
Senior Accountant
In-charge auditor on financial and internal control audits of commercial entities
Preparation and review of audit reports and financial statements and staff supervision and training
Industry experience included real estate, resource recovery, pulp and paper, retail, manufacturing and investment companies
EDUCATION
New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York, New York 1990
Masters of Business Administration – Finance Major
Queens College, Flushing, New York 1982
Bachelor of Science – Accounting Major, Economics Minor
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
International Council of Shopping Centers
NYU, Schack Institute of Real Estate Diploma Program, concentration in Investment Analysis - 1992
Certified Public Accountant - New York, lapsed