Ross Smotrich is a real estate finance thought leader with expertise in public equity, corporate strategy, industry fundamentals and capital markets. A trusted advisor with broad perspective at the intersection of public and private real estate, Ross is well regarded for the depth and quality of his published research, investor and management insight and his transaction experience. He is the Founder and Managing Principal of RE Strategic Advisors, focused on providing strategic consulting, investment and advisory services to organizations operating at the intersection of the public (listed) and private real estate markets.  Previously, he was  a Managing Director and Senior Equity Analyst at Barclays where he led the research team responsible for covering the real estate investment trust (REIT) and real estate securities industries. Previously, at Bear Stearns, Ross rebuilt the REIT research business; he moved his team to Lehman Brothers in June 2008, prior to its acquisition by Barclays. Prior to Bear, Ross transitioned from banking into sell-side research as a senior equity analyst at Merrill Lynch. Ross began his real estate career at Chemical Bank, working progressively in lending, investment banking and finally, running a workout / restructuring team. Notable transactions included the restructure of Simon Properties and Trammell Crow which resulted in IPOs. Ross was ranked in Institutional Investor’s All-America research poll 9 times and twice named in The Wall Street Journal All-Star Analysts Survey. Among the most experienced REIT analysts on the Street, he was an influential participant in the growth and evolution of the publicly traded real estate securities industry including the REIT IPO boom, subsequent consolidation / maturation and extensive stock issuance / strategic advisory activity.

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Ross earned a MBA from Columbia University in Finance / Real Estate and a BA cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in History / Economics. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School (Real Estate Equity Securities Analysis) and serves on it’s MBA Real Estate Advisory Board. Additionally, Ross is member of the Urban Land Institute (Multi-Family Council), NAREIT (Real Estate Investment Advisory Council), Columbia’s Real Estate Circle and the International Council of Shopping Centers.