Behringer Harvard hired Michael J. O'Hanlon as an executive vice president of the firm and as CEO and president of Behringer Harvard Opportunity REITs I and II. He took the place of Robert S. (Bob) Aisner who was tapped as vice chairman of the REITs.
O'Hanlon has more than three decades of industry experience with a background in asset management, corporate and loan restructuring and capital markets. He formerly served on the board of BH REIT II and as an audit committee member. O'Hanlon’s background also includes the titles of COO and president of Billingsley Co., four years as chief of Inland Western Retail REIT Inc. and four years leading Grubb & Ellis Co.’s Midwestern region. The Columbia University and Fordham University grad also held management positions at Insignia/ESG, Cushman & Wakefield and The Balcor Co.
"We stand to benefit tremendously from Michael's professional experience in operating public, non-traded alternative investment programs as well as his expertise in many other facets of real estate management. We're confident that Michael's strong leadership will be particularly beneficial to our opportunity-style investment programs," said Aisner, CEO and president of Behringer Harvard.
Mark V. Petersen also joined the company as head of distribution--retail. Petersen has been a member of the securities community for more than 25 years. He joined Behringer after 15 years with CNL Financial Group where he was senior vice president of market development and led the launch of its business development company. The Baylor University alum also served at Equus in Houston and VMS Realty in Chicago.
"(Mark) brings to this role deep experience in retail distribution, extensive relationships with industry-leading broker-dealers, and product development expertise that will be valuable to us as we continue to grow and expand our alternative investments platform," said Frank Muller, executive vice president and head of distribution for BH.
Addison, TX-based Behringer Harvard creates and manages institutional-quality investment programs for investors through its REITs, joint ventures and program structures. The company oversees assets in 27 states and nine countries.