Team | MITSUI FUDOSAN AMERICA

John Westerfield

Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Westerfield serves as Chief Executive Officer of Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. and is a member of MFA's Board of Directors. Mr. Westerfield was appointed CEO effective April 1, 2015, after serving as Senior Advisor to MFA's BOD from 2012 to 2015. In that capacity, Mr. Westerfield provided strategic advice regarding business planning and investment strategy.

Mr. Westerfield spent the bulk of his career as a managing director at Morgan Stanley, having joined the firm in 1985 upon graduation from business school. At MS, Mr. Westerfield worked in numerous roles in investment banking, fixed income and investment management, all with a specialization in commercial real estate finance and investment. In his last role at Morgan Stanley, Mr. Westerfield had responsibility for the firm’s global commercial mortgage finance business.

Upon retirement from Morgan Stanley in June, 2008, Mr. Westerfield formed and managed Braddock Capital Management, a private LLC which invested in REITs and commercial real estate related assets, including various office, industrial, multi-family rental and condominium development projects, primarily in the New York area.

Mr. Westerfield received an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1985 and an AB in Government from Dartmouth College in 1981.

Atsuhiro Ishikawa

President

Mr. Ishikawa serves as President of Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. and is a member of MFA's Board of Directors. He is responsible for strategic planning in addition to evaluating asset management and property acquisitions. Mr. Ishikawa joined Mitsui Fudosan Group (Tokyo) in 1991 and was transferred to Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. in 2017.

Mr. Ishikawa began his career at Mitsui Fudosan performing financial analysis and taxation work in the Accounting and Finance Department. He later moved to the Corporate Consulting Department, where he completed consulting and brokerage assignments for various clients. From 2003 to 2011, he was responsible for various acquisition and disposition activities on office and residential properties. In 2011, he transitioned to Investor Relations, becoming head of the Department in 2013. Mr. Ishikawa began honing his international business skills in 2016, when he joined Mitsui Fudosan’s International Department as the Executive Manager, overseeing portfolio management in the United States and Europe.

Mr. Ishikawa graduated from The University of Tokyo with a bachelor’s degree in Economics.

Takeyoshi Sugimoto

Executive Managing Director, Development & Asset Management

Mr. Sugimoto is responsible for development management and asset management activities. Mr. Sugimoto joined Mitsui Fudosan Group (Tokyo) in 1994 and was transferred to Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. in 2019.

With more than 25 years of real estate experience, Mr. Sugimoto has experience in residential project planning, office and residential acquisitions and dispositions, and office leasing and development. In 2016 Mr. Sugimoto was promoted to Executive Manager of the office building development group, where he was responsible for overseeing five development projects, including Tamachi Station Towers North & South, a prestigious 3.2 million square foot mixed use complex offering a direct connection to the Tamachi rail station.

Mr. Sugimoto received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Keio University in Tokyo.

Satoru Yamashita

Executive Managing Director, Co-Head of San Francisco and Los Angeles Branches

Mr. Yamashita is responsible for overseeing Mitsui Fudosan America’s operations on the West Coast, including asset management, development, leasing activities and property acquisitions. Mr. Yamashita joined Mitsui Fudosan Group (Tokyo) in 1995 and was transferred to Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. in 2016.

Mr. Yamashita has a wide range of real estate experience, including project management, investment advisory and asset management on behalf of foreign institutions investing in Japan. Mr. Yamashita graduated from Keio University in Tokyo with a bachelor’s degree in Law.

Ian J. Bentata

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Bentata is responsible for all aspects of the company's financial management, including financial planning and reporting, control, taxation and financing, as well as assisting with underwriting and due diligence for acquisitions. He also oversees human resources, information technology and administration.

Prior to joining the company in 2001, Mr. Bentata spent seven years at Turner Construction International, an international construction and engineering firm, where he held the position of Chief Financial Officer and was responsible for all aspects of financial planning and control. Prior to that Mr. Bentata served as Group Controller for Abu Garcia, a multinational group of consumer products companies.

Upon graduating university Mr. Bentata worked in the Stockholm, Sweden office of Price Waterhouse until 1985. He then transferred to Price Waterhouse's Morristown, New Jersey office. At Price Waterhouse Mr. Bentata was responsible for audit and consulting services in a variety of industries.

Mr. Bentata graduated from Stockholm University, Sweden with a B.Sc. in Finance and Marketing and is a CPA. Professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants and Financial Executives International.

Sean F. McSweeney

Senior Vice President, Acquisitions

Mr. McSweeney is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the company's US investment strategy, which includes sourcing new opportunities; monitoring, maintaining, and reviewing the acquisition transaction pipeline; and all phases of due diligence.

During his tenure with the company he has held a variety of positions in the firm's acquisition, finance, and asset management groups.

Upon graduation and until joining the company in 2001, Mr. McSweeney worked in the financial reporting group for a real estate syndication company focusing on Senior Living and multi-family apartments.

Mr. McSweeney graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1996, with a B.B.A in Accountancy.

Frank G. Montes

Senior Vice President, Development & Construction

Mr. Montes is responsible for overseeing all development and capital improvement projects in the US, and assisting with underwriting and due diligence on acquisitions. Mr. Montes joined Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. in 2007.

With over 35 years' experience in real estate, Mr. Montes has worked in commercial and residential development, property management, facilities management, asset management, construction management, and historic preservation.

Mr. Montes graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree (magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa) and a Master of Science degree.

Christopher N. Perez

Senior Vice President, Asset Management & Leasing

Mr. Perez became Senior Vice President of Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. in April 2008, and has been employed by MFA since 1988. Prior to his promotion in 2008, Mr. Perez had served as Vice President of Asset Management & Leasing and was responsible for leasing, property management, and asset management of the entire Mitsui Fudosan America commercial real estate portfolio. This included such recognizable properties in New York as 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 461 Fifth Avenue, 527 Madison Avenue, and 100 William Street, as well as 1090 Vermont Avenue, N.W. in Washington, D.C.

During his tenure with MFA, Mr. Perez has held a variety of positions and has handled the asset management of commercial office properties nationwide. He has been directly responsible for leasing over 2 million square feet of commercial office and retail space. This includes notable transactions with Banco Santander, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Chubb, DLA Piper, J.P. Morgan Chase, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Paulson & Company, Sidley Austin, and Trust Company of the West. Mr. Perez also has spearheaded capital improvement programs that led to several prominent building awards, including the BOMA New York and BOMA International Award for Excellence in 1997 and 1998, and the International Real Estate Federation's Prix d'Excellence award in 1999.

Prior to joining MFA, Mr. Perez was employed by Exxon Corporation in New York for seven years. Mr. Perez's career at Exxon was capped by his participation in the sale of the Exxon Building to Mitsui Fudosan in 1986 for $610 million, the highest price paid for a commercial office building at that time.

Mr. Perez is a graduate of Pace University and the Pace University Graduate School of Business

Keith R. Purcell

Senior Vice President, Asset Management & Leasing

Mr. Purcell is responsible for asset management, property management, and leasing activities within the company's commercial real estate portfolio. He joined Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. in 2013.

Mr. Purcell has 25 years' experience managing commercial real estate investments in the US, Belgium, Brazil and Canada. Prior to joining MFA, Mr. Purcell was Vice President of Asset Management at L&L Holding Company, a privately held real estate firm that specializes in Manhattan office properties. Previously, Mr. Purcell held positions at GIC Real Estate (the real estate arm of The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation) and Fortress Investment Group.

Mr. Purcell earned a BBA from Loyola University Maryland and received an MBA from the University of Delaware, where he was awarded the Chaplin Tyler Fellowship.

Seiji Mori

Managing Director, Treasurer & Corporate Secretary

Mr. Mori is responsible for corporate financing, cash management and corporate governance. He joined Mitsui Fudosan Group (Tokyo) in 1991 and was transferred to Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. in 2018.

Mr. Mori began his career at Mitsui Fudosan working on residential project management. Since then, he has gained a wide range of real estate experience, including roles in office development and asset management, strategic planning, management of the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s largest real estate investment trust, and financing of private real estate investment funds. Most recently, Mr. Mori helped introduce advanced information-technology marketing methods and e-commerce to Mitsui Fudosan shopping malls.

Mr. Mori holds a bachelor’s degree in Law and an MBA in finance, both from Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo.

Ana Maria Bertuna

Vice President, Design and Construction

Ms. Bertuna is responsible for overseeing the planning, design, and construction of development projects.

With over 30 years of experience, Ms. Bertuna has worked on major projects from architectural design through construction management for residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments.

Prior to joining MFA, Ms. Bertuna was with Tishman Speyer and served as the project executive of The JACX, a 1.3 million square foot commercial development in Long Island City. Ms. Bertuna spent over 10 years as an architect for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill before pursuing a career in development with The Related Companies. Her experience with Related includes 14 years of managing residential and commercial projects, including Time Warner Center and Hudson Yards.

Ms. Bertuna earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Architecture from Pratt Institute in 1986. She is a licensed Architect in the State of New York and a member of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. She serves on the scholarship committee of WX, New York Women Executives in Real Estate and on the Board of Directors of the Façade Tectonics Institute.

Robert Davidson

Vice President, Development & Asset Management, Co-Head of San Francisco Branch

Mr. Davidson is responsible for development and asset management of MFA’s investments in the western United States.

With 20 years of experience, Rob has spent his career working on the construction, development and investment management of urban infill residential and commercial projects. Prior to joining Mitsui Fudosan America Inc. in 2014, Mr. Davidson worked for Thompson Development, Inc., a privately held real estate developer with a portfolio of housing and office projects in the San Francisco Bay Area. Earlier, Mr. Davidson assisted in the financing over $300 million of housing with Weyerhaeuser Realty Investors, a private equity firm and CalPERS advisor.

Mr. Davidson graduated from the University of Denver in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

David Leff

Vice President, Development

Mr. Leff is responsible for developing MFA’s investments in the eastern United States.

With a career spanning nearly 20 years, Mr. Leff has a wealth of experience in construction management and real estate development. Prior to joining Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc., Mr. Leff worked for Wereldhave N.V., a Dutch REIT where he developed approximately 2 million square feet of office, hotel, retail and residential projects. He also has experience renovating and repositioning office properties; developing built-to-suit projects for the General Services Administration; and building boutique condominium projects in New York City.

David holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Buffalo and an MBA in finance from Baruch College’s, Zicklin School of Business.

Stuart Morkun

Vice President, Development, Co-Head of Los Angeles Branch

Mr. Morkun is responsible for executing the company’s development projects in greater Los Angeles, including overseeing entitlement, project management, marketing, operations and community engagement.

With more than 25 years of real estate experience, Mr. Morkun has been involved in the planning, design and development of office, industrial, retail and multi-family projects, totaling more than 15 million square feet located throughout the United States and Asia.

Mr. Morkun graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture. He is a licensed real estate broker in California and a United States Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional.

John Nicholson

Vice President, Finance

Mr. Nicholson is responsible for accounting policy and strategic accounting support on all of the company’s transactions. He is involved in all aspects of the company's financial management, including financial planning, analysis, reporting and internal control. He also provides the acquisitions team with underwriting and due diligence assistance.

Prior to joining Mitsui Fudosan America in 2016, Mr. Nicholson was a Senior Manager at Deloitte, where he served clients in the financial services industry and worked at the firm’s National Office.

Mr. Nicholson is a Certified Public Accountant and graduated from Saint Peter’s University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Azeema Yasin

Vice President and Controller

Ms. Yasin is responsible for all of the company's financial and management accounting operations, planning and financial reporting, internal controls and taxation, as well as support of the corporate financial planning and analysis functions.

Before joining Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. in 2008, Ms. Yasin held the position of Controller with Deutsch, a manufacturer of mechanical connectors for defense, aerospace and other harsh environments. Ms. Yasin also worked for seven years in the medical device manufacturing industry with C.R Bard, Inc. in the position of corporate accounting manager, and at Cottet Optical, Inc. as the corporate controller.

Ms. Yasin started her career in the hotel industry working for Forte Hotels/Le Meridien for over 10 years and she held several positions of increasing responsibility during her tenure there, some of which was spent overseas, mainly the Caribbean and United Kingdom.

Ms. Yasin earned an M.Sc. In Taxation from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a B.Sc. from Emile Woolfe College and is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Takehisa Honda

Executive Director, Acquisitions

Mr. Honda is responsible for acquisitions in the Eastern Region. He joined Mitsui Fudosan Group (Tokyo) in 2000 and became an Executive Director of Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. in April 2019.

Mr. Honda has experience acquiring residential, commercial and mixed-use properties. Mr. Honda also has significant corporate management experience, having held positions in accounting, finance and personnel management.

Mr. Honda graduated from Kyoto University with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a master’s degree in Civil and Earth Resources Engineering.