College of Business Everitt Real Estate Center Names International Real Estate Expert Director
Note to Editors: A photo of Steven Laposa is available with the news release at http://newsinfo.colostate.edu/.
Internationally renowned real estate consultant Steven P. Laposa, currently a director in the Global Strategic Real Estate Research group at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), has been named the new director of the Everitt Real Estate Center in Colorado State University’s College of Business.
Laposa brings 26 years of project management, real estate development and research experience throughout the United States, as well as international experience in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia. He has worked as a consultant involved with emerging trends in real estate, as an expert witness in property litigation cases, and on the applied use of statistical modeling in real estate investment and business strategy issues.
He will maintain a working relationship with PricewaterhouseCoopers that will support his role in the College of Business.
"Steve’s academic background, coupled with his international consulting experience with PwC’s top-tiered institutional investment clients, offers CSU students, faculty and local real estate community valuable insights in today’s global real estate markets," said Patrick Leardo, PwC’s Global Leader of Real Estate Business Advisory Services.
"As a top international consultant who has worked closely with heads of state and multinational organizations, Steven will be a tremendous asset at the College of Business where we are committed to solving great global challenges," said Ajay Menon, dean of the College of Business. "We are excited about the expertise he adds to our faculty and the international focus he will share with our students."
Laposa received his master’s in business administration from the University of Denver and his doctoral degree from England’s University of Reading. He also has worked as an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University.
"Corporate members of the Everitt Real Estate Center will benefit tremendously from Steven’s intimate knowledge of the international marketplace," said Eric Holsapple, a co-owner of Loveland Commercial LLC and longtime Colorado State supporter who has acted as interim director of the center. Holsapple and Don Marostica, Colorado State alumni and owners of Loveland Commercial LLC, created the Loveland Commercial Endowed Chair of Real Estate in 2004 with a $1.5 million gift to the College of Business.
As part of its strategic plan, Colorado State University has aggressive goals to increase its international emphasis. The College of Business recently began enrolling students for a brand-new, 18-month Master of Science in Business Administration degree in Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise that will teach entrepreneurial, sustainable approaches to address great global challenges of poverty, environmental degradation and poor health. The degree requires summer field work in partnership with international companies, non-governmental organizations and microfinance organizations. Most likely, the field work will be on a project in the developing world.
The first classes for the degree begin in August.
"Fort Collins is an optimal laboratory for applied research into how real estate affects the urban competitiveness of a region," Laposa said. "This area, with its quality of life and talented workforce, often ends up on corporate ‘short lists’ when multinational companies are shopping for space and regional facilities. The world is watching."
The Everitt Real Estate Center employs two full-time staff members – Ron Surace, who is the executive director, and Anne Spry – and hosts quarterly events for the community and real estate professionals. The center was established in 2000 within the Department of Finance and Real Estate and received its first support from the Mortgage Bankers Association. The center was expanded in 2005 thanks to a $2.4 million gift from the Everitt family and Everitt Companies.
The mission of the Everitt Real Estate Center is to provide service, academic foundation, research and educational and employment opportunities to the community, faculty, alumni and students. Membership advantages include free admission to quarterly events, continuing education credits for brokers and opportunities to attend private speaker presentations.
For more information, visit http://www.biz.colostate.edu/ciref.
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