Leadership

CGI+ was founded by Gidi Cohen and Adrian Goldstein with a vision to create a collective of freethinkers and innovators that deliver boutique-living solutions that are beautiful, functional, and inspiring to the people that live in them and enrich the communities they serve.

GIDI COHEN

Founder and CEO

Gidi Cohen has more than 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, with skills and expertise in the acquisition, disposition, syndication, and development in a variety of industries. Launching his career, Cohen founded Cohen & Associates in 2006, growing the small firm into a prominent real estate investment and management firm. Betting on his innovative spirit and passion for real estate, Cohen formed CGI+ Strategies in Real Estate in 2013, a development and investment management company with a national perspective in commercial and multi-family properties. Now, with the current CGI+ portfolio mix, Cohen prioritizes exciting and unique living environments for the communities CGI+ serves and generates with exceptional investor returns.

GADI KAUFMANN

Special Advisor

Gadi Kaufmann has over 40 years of experience working with developers, lenders, private and institutional investors, and non-real estate entities, conducting engagements in the U.S. and abroad. Gadi’s areas of expertise include economic consulting for real estate projects and portfolios; corporate strategy planning and management consulting at the enterprise level. He accumulated vast experience in formulating and implementing successful investment and portfolio strategies, and in successfully concluding several large scale transactions involving the acquisition, disposition and capitalization of numerous individual properties, portfolios and operating companies with an aggregate transaction value of several billions.

AARON COHEN

Chief Operating Officer

Aaron Cohen is the Chief Operating Officer for CGI+ and oversees the firm’s operating departments, including property operations, asset management, all administrative functions, and the execution of all development, renovation, and construction activities. Most importantly, he provides strategic operational leadership ensuring the delivery of the goals and objectives defined by CGI+’s strategic growth plan. Aaron is originally from Orange County, CA and graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He has decades of real-estate experience with expertise in multifamily investments and management as he operated over $15B of multifamily assets in his previous role. Aaron is an expert on how to yield strong returns while maintaining the longevity and quality of the assets. He is passionate about spending time with family, playing and writing music, and high adrenaline sports including scuba diving, snowboarding, rock climbing, and skydiving.

ZION PERETS

Managing Partner, Chief Financial Officer

Zion Perets joined CGI+ in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Financial Officer and Managing Partner. Perets oversees the financial, accounting and portfolio affairs of CGI+ and contributes to the development of the company’s strategic goals. Prior to joining CGI+, Perets served as the Director of Finance at one of Israel’s largest insurance companies. Perets received his bachelor’s degree in Law and Economics from Tel Aviv University, a Master of Law degree from UCLA School of Law, and an MBA from the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University. He is also a lawyer in Israel.

MICHAEL WILSON

Chief Legal Counsel

Michael Wilson, raised in Los Angeles, is General Counsel for CGI+ handling all transaction processes, tenant issues, entity and deal structures, risk management, insurance, lawsuit and claims and general support to all departments. Prior to his time at CGI+, Wilson was real estate defense attorney and utilized his previous real estate broker’s license, allowing for him to build practical experience in risk management and real estate transactions. Michael Wilson has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management along with his Juris Doctor degree.

ANDRE SOROUDI

Executive Vice President Acquisitions & Development – West Coast

Andre Soroudi oversees both the west coast acquisitions and development divisions for CGI+. His responsibilities include sourcing of investment opportunities, negotiating deal structures and terms, evaluating and establishing business plans for each project, transaction execution, managing the pre-construction development process, equity/debt raising, and dispositions. At CGI+, Soroudi has overseen over $1B in asset/land acquisitions and construction projects. Previously, Soroudi worked with G.H. Palmer Associates where he worked on the acquisition and development of over 3,000 apartment units in Southern California with total development budgets exceeding $750 million. He is a triple graduate of the University of Southern California with an MBA, MRED and BA in Business Administration.

ELLIOTT HOLLANDER

Executive Vice President of Development – Southeast

As Executive Vice President of Development, Elliott Hollander is responsible for all site acquisitions and development projects in the southern region of the U.S. Prior to joining CGI+, Mr. Hollander founded and served as CEO of a private commercial real estate investment and development firm, which he successfully sold after 12 years of growth. Elliott’s unique 20-year CRE background includes Executive and Managing Director roles within both private and institutional commercial real estate organizations with expertise in development, investment sales, corporate management, private equity raising, project origination, partnership structuring, syndication sponsorship, property management, and business operations. Elliott is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with degrees in Pre-Medicine and Organizational Communication, and his passions include real estate, sailing, auto racing, musicianship, traveling, reading, skiing, physics, psychology, and investments.

CODY WALKER

Vice President of Acquisitions – Southeast

Cody Walker joined CGI+ in 2022 and runs all acquisition activities for the Southeast, Mid Atlantic, and Texas Regions. Before joining CGI+, he served as the Director of Acquisitions for a large nationally recognized private equity firm that capitalized over $1.3B in multifamily real estate. Cody also worked for an institutional family office to acquire and develop multifamily and hospitality assets across the US. Cody received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the AB Freeman School of Business at Tulane University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Law from Western Carolina University, where he was a scholarship member of the D-1 men’s golf program.

David Estrada

Vice President, Ground Up Construction

David Estrada is the Vice President of Ground-Up Construction for CGI+. He is primary focused on overseeing the CGI+ ground-up developments from pre-construction through construction and handover to the management team. He is responsible for project development, construction management, contractor relationships, project scheduling, budget management, and consultant coordination. He is a double graduate at the University of Southern California with a MS and BS in Electrical Engineering.

TOM BURTON

Vice President of Capital Projects and Renovations

Tom Burton is the Vice President of Capital Improvements and Renovations at CGI+. Throughout his nearly 9-year career in the multifamily industry, he has completed over 5,000 apartment renovations, several hundred capital expense projects, and multiple leasing office and amenity spaces redevelopment projects. Tom has built out capital improvement and renovation programs from the ground up and created teams of highly skilled industry professionals. Originally from Salt Lake City, UT, Tom enjoys being outdoors and exploring with his family. He enjoys traveling to Central American countries and visiting his family cabin in the mountains of Utah.

BRIAN TOQE

Vice President, Asset Management

Brian Toqe is responsible for creating and implementing real estate strategies in operations, design, construction, and overall investment performance, and he currently oversees CGI+’s national portfolio of multifamily and commercial real estate investments. Mr. Toqe brings over 10 years of experience in institutional ownership, value-added repositioning, and ground-up design and preconstruction, as well as prior experience in land and commercial acquisitions. In recent years, he has been directly responsible for all aspects of asset management of portfolios valued at over $5B. Brian is a graduate of The Master’s University, a liberal arts college, where he studied finance, and he holds a post-graduate certificate in finance from the University of San Francisco. He is a California CPA, and he started his career with Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen in their real estate groups.

SAMUEL DICKINSON

Vice President, Marketing & Branding

Samuel Dickinson joined CGI+ in 2021 and currently serves as Vice President, Marketing & Branding. Dickinson spearheads the marketing efforts and develops strategic strategy for the company’s corporate brand and its portfolio of properties. Prior to joining CGI+ Samuel oversaw marketing and technology initiatives for the west coasts top REIT specializing in commercial office space and movie studios totaling over $10B in assets. He is a licensed California Real Estate Salesperson and has a Bachelor of Science in Television Radio Production from Ithaca College. When he is not in the office Samuel can be found, biking, surfing, snowboarding, or traveling the coast.

VIDA BAUTISTA

Senior Vice President of Accounting

Vida Bautista is the Senior Vice President of Accounting at CGI+. Under her leadership, she has transformed the operations which have become incredibly sustainable and efficient. Prior to joining CGI+, Vida worked at The Ezralow Company serving as Vice President of Accounting Operations where she successfully streamlined the accounting process geared towards a paperless system, spearheaded the company’s annual employee conference, and was instrumental to the company’s technology development. She graduated cum laude with a BSBA major in Accounting from the University of the East in the Philippines. She was a Certified Public Accountant in the Philippines. When not busy at work, Vida loves spending time at home and traveling the world.

CYNTHIA CRUZ

Vice President of Human Resources

Cynthia Cruz is the Vice President of Human Resources at CGI+. Cynthia is responsible for the human resources operations, benefits administration, employee relations, full-cycle recruitment, and administration for the organization. Cynthia has over 15 years of experience in operations management, and human resources collaborating with companies in the medical, manufacturing and finance industries. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, and she is an active member of the Society of Human Resource Management. In her free time, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her family and traveling the world.

KELLY HERMAN

Director of Investor Relations

Kelly Herman joined CGI+ in Spring 2021 to serve as an Investor Relations Associate. As the first touchpoint in investor relations, Herman specializes in relationship building and will play a key role in maintaining existing relationships and introducing new capital relationships at CGI+. Before joining the CGI+ team, Herman served as a project manager for an institutional apartment brokerage firm. Herman’s multifamily sales experience directly influences her ability to develop relationships throughout the commercial real estate industry. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Auburn University, followed by a Master’s degree in Real Estate Development from Georgetown University.

JENNY RAYAS

Director of HR & Office Management

Jenny Rayas, a Los Angeles native, is the Director of Operations for Bread and Salt Hospitality and assists Kasia Mays with day-to-day operations, marketing, and community outreach. Prior to her time at CGI+, Rayas worked for Congressman Tony Cardenas, working on multiple campaigns. Her motivated mentality, passion, and time management skills brings exceptional value to the office and CGI+ team.

SALIM ABBOUD

Director of Fundraising – Middle East

A senior real estate executive, Salim brings to CGI+ over 20 years’ experience in sales, leasing, marketing and customer relations for top tier real estate development companies in the United States and Middle East. He oversees Capital Markets in the Middle East for CGI+, putting to use his exemplary skill set in market analysis and sales strategies coupled with strong leadership and interpersonal skills. An excellent communicator, fluent in English, Arabic and French, Salim expertly handles client liaison, establishing profitable and sustainable relationships with stakeholders enhancing the company’s reputation.

MARK E. COHEN

Managing Partner – Southeast

Mark Cohen, from Milton, GA, has been with Gidi Cohen and CGI+ from the start. Originally the Director of Acquisitions and Financing for Cohen & Associates, Cohen has brought his talent and skills for sourcing, underwriting, and managing construction and commercial real estate loans to CGI+. With his unparalleled ability to find and analyze real estate investment opportunities, Cohen leads the Southeast Region for CGI+ as Managing Partner. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.

Matthew Keenen

VP, Development

Matthew Keenen is the Director of Land Acquisitions for San Diego and Orange County. From Portland to Irvine to New York City, he has national expertise in land acquisitions and financial modeling. With more than 10 years of experience, he has managed a $500M pipeline of projects and has been involved in the acquisition, entitlement, and development of over 3,000 units across single family homes, townhomes and apartments. He received his bachelor’s degree in his hometown of Portland at Portland State University and earned his master’s degree in real estate development at USC. He is passionate about traveling the world and can often be found spending time outdoors and backpacking.

JUSTIN RUDER

Sr. Acquisitions Associate (West Coast)

Justin Ruder joined CGI+ strategies in 2020 as an Acquisitions and Development Associate. Ruder specializes in ground-up development projects and is responsible for sourcing, analyzing, and underwriting while working with the Director of Acquisitions to oversee the entitlement process. Prior to his role with CGI+, Ruder worked as a commercial land broker specializing in the sales and acquisition of commercial properties. His experience in the commercial development space, work ethic, and thirst for knowledge makes Ruder a true powerhouse member of the team. He holds a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Wisconsin. In his free time, you’ll find him exploring the great outdoors or cheering on the Dodgers and Lakers.

ALLA KRUMER

VP of Construction Accounting Yardi Admin

Alla Krumer, born in Ukraine, is Vice President of Accounting, Construction for CGI+ overseeing all construction accounting and preparation of tax returns and compliance matters. With more than 25 years of experience, Krumer has worked in construction and accounting starting as an accounts payable clerk before quickly advancing. Prior to her time at CGI+, Krumer was a Controller at Griffin Real Estate Management, helping to prepare audit and project reports and implement and maintain all software systems. Alla Krumer has her Bachelor’s in Science in Accounting from California State University of Northridge. As a teenager, Krumer wanted to become a violinist and music teacher.