James Lester Email and Phone Number

Paramount: • Managed all pre-development activities for $50,000,000 theater in Downtown Brooklyn.Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Mixed-Use Development: • Executed project from start to finish, including initial vision, acquisition, public approvals, real estate and other tax benefits, capital and operating financial projections, EB-5 financing, design, contract negotiations, construction, technology, marketing, PR, and operational ramp-up.• Negotiated sale of five-acres to Memorial Sloan Kettering.Barclays Center:• Led development of $1,000,000,000+ Barclays Center from start to finish, including conception, underwriting, public approvals, eminent domain, $511,000,000 in tax-exempt bonds, naming rights sale, NBA approvals, design, construction, creation of 2,000 employee operating company, all financial forecasts, negotiation of management agreements; investor, rating agency, and bond holder interface; and venue sale. Brooklyn Nets: • Underwrote New Jersey Nets acquisition, raised equity and debt, oversaw operations and financial results, negotiated arena lease with NBA, obtained NBA approvals, and negotiated team sale.Pacific Park: • Constructed comprehensive value creation models for Pacific Park, Barclays Center, and Nets; raised debt and equity, managed site acquisition and infrastructure costs, oversaw infrastructure design and construction, negotiated subsidies with New York City and State, oversaw all financial materials for subsidy negotiations and project approvals, obtained ESDC and MTA approvals.80 DeKalb:• Created development strategy for 365-unit, 80/20 residential tower, directed architects and attorneys, developed financial strategy and forecasts.Atlantic Terminal: • Managed all aspects of $100,000,000, 400,000 SF office development, including financial projections, Liberty Bond financing, ESDC and MTA approvals, lease negotiations, consultant oversight, and construction.