Michael J. Kokes presents at Rutgers Center for Real Estate
The Managing Principal of Homestake Capital, LLC recently served as guest lecturer and will continue to help establish the center as the premier real estate program in the country.
Brielle, NJ – Michael J. Kokes was recently selected to be a guest lecturer at Rutgers Center for Real Estate. “It was an honor to meet the diverse and intelligent individuals enrolled in the program,” said Kokes. “It is great to see what Professor Davis has been able to accomplish in such a short period of time, and it is even more encouraging to know that we have such a promising program right here in New Jersey that will develop the industry leaders of tomorrow.”
Morris A. Davis, Ph.D., Paul V. Profeta Chair of Real Estate and Professor of Finance and Economics, as well as Academic Director of Rutgers Center of Real Estate at Rutgers Business School, first met Kokes at an event that Rutgers co-hosted with Pulte Homes at the New York Stock Exchange.
“Mike and I have been in discussions about how Homestake and Rutgers can work together since that initial meeting,” Davis noted. “We have considered mentorships, internships, full time positions, scholarships, as well as consulting, lecturing, etc. It is a great benefit to Rutgers students and the Rutgers Center for Real Estate to partner with a young entrepreneur who has a lot of experience and connections.”
Kokes is an easygoing speaker with a compelling story, according to Davis. “Mike’s family history is fascinating, and it truly shows resilience in the face of somewhat continuing adversity,” Davis added. “I also appreciate Mike’s long-term and patient view of capital, returns and relationships. Mike is in this business for the long-haul, not just to make a few dollars today.”
Kokes’ background aligns tremendously with the goal of the Rutgers Center for Real Estate, which is to become the global leader in real estate education. “This involves us leading the field in educating our students (and everything that goes along with a comprehensive educational experience including mentoring, financial support and assisting with jobs and careers); researching topics that boost the knowledge and productivity of our industry (such as our school-age children study that is now widely used across the state), and exchanging thoughts and ideas with industry leaders (which involves organizing world-class industry events).
The real estate program at Rutgers is growing by leaps and bounds, according to Davis. Before Davis arrived at Rutgers in Fall 2015, the program had one real estate class with approximately 40 students. “This year, we will teach more than 500 students across a wide variety of topics including Real Estate Finance, Law, Development, Market Analysis, Capital Markets and Property, and Asset Management,” Davis added. “We also expect to give out more than $300,000 in scholarships to students who have taken multiple classes in Real Estate.”
As for the future, Kokes will continue growing his budding partnership with Davis and Rutgers Center for Real Estate in an effort to exchange ideas and create an influential center in one of the world’s epicenters of real estate activity. “Rutgers Center for Real Estate is a dynamic hub of students, academics and professional trailblazers, and I am excited to help them shape the future of the field.”
To learn more about the Rutgers Real Estate Program, visit http://www.rutgersre.com.
About Homestake Capital, LLC
Homestake Capital, LLC, a boutique real estate investment firm located in Monmouth County, New Jersey, is focused on providing direct investment and non-traditional lending to residential and commercial developers. Homestake further adds value by providing development and building experience to the sponsor or borrower. Homestake’s unique niche is providing capital for projects that are too big for one investor, but too “small” for a traditional institutional investor. To learn more, visit https://homestakecapital.com.