Deloitte Appoints Robert O'Brien to Lead U.S. Real Estate Practice

NEW YORK, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Deloitte announced today that Robert T. O'Brien has been appointed to lead the U.S. real estate practice and has been elected a vice chairman, effective immediately.  O'Brien succeeds practice leader, Dorothy Alpert, who has assumed the role of northeast deputy regional managing partner.

"Bob's broad background and global relationships position him well to execute for our clients.  His more than 25 years of public accounting and transaction experience in the real estate and hospitality industries will prove to be an invaluable asset to Deloitte and to our clients in meeting the challenges of the current market dislocation," said Bill Freda, Deloitte's vice chairman and U.S. managing partner for clients and markets.

In his role as U.S. real estate leader, O'Brien is responsible for the real estate practice's overall strategy and execution across tax, audit, enterprise risk, consulting and financial advisory services in the real estate, homebuilding, engineering and construction industries.  He will be based in Chicago.

"As the global economy recovers, two trends are becoming apparent: the next generation of real estate investors is emerging in the form of distressed asset funds and REIT activity is heating up via IPOs and M&A.  Success through the downturn in real estate and into the next cycle will require overcoming challenges and excellent execution," said O'Brien.  "Whether it's enhanced financial reporting to investors and the capital markets, efficient entity and investment structuring, valuation insights, strategy and operations, or technology, these new and evolving industry players will need the assistance of a professional advisor with broad and deep real estate expertise.  I look forward to taking that journey with our clients and sharing with them Deloitte's tremendous capabilities across these and many other specialties."

"International capital flows will continue to characterize real estate investing.  With a strong presence in every major financial center here in the U.S., as well as abroad, Deloitte's real estate practice offers clients an entry to a global network with the 'on-the-ground-expertise' so vital to real estate," said Alpert.  "As the global real estate funds leader during my tenure as real estate practice leader, Bob exhibited an unmatched facility for the diverse needs clients face as real estate continues to evolve as a global industry.  I am confident he will excel in his new role, benefiting both our clients and Deloitte."

O'Brien most recently served as the U.S. audit and enterprise risk management leader for the real estate practice, as well as Deloitte's global real estate funds initiative leader. From 2003 to 2008, he led one of Deloitte's Chicago audit practice groups.  From 1999 to 2003, O'Brien served as a transaction services partner in Deloitte's M&A practice. He was promoted to partner in 1995.

O'Brien joined Deloitte in 1983 upon graduation from John Carroll University with Bachelor of Science in accounting.  In 1989, he earned an MBA in finance with highest honors from Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, with a concentration in real estate and international business.  He is a CPA and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries, and Pension Real Estate Association.  He serves on the board for City Year-Chicago.

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SOURCE Deloitte