Our Team
With decades of experience, the Brasa Capital executive team has extensive experience in the acquisition, development, and asset management of institutional real estate across the US.
Bio
Eric Samek is the Founder of Brasa Capital Management and is responsible for deal origination, transaction execution, portfolio management and overall management of the firm’s operations. Prior to forming Brasa in 2018, Mr. Samek worked at AEW Capital Management for over 10 years, most recently as Head of the Western US for AEW’s Opportunity Fund. Prior to joining AEW, Mr. Samek served as Director for real estate private equity investments at Broadreach Capital Partners. He started his career as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs in New York.
Education
Mr. Samek earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business where he was a Toigo Fellow.
Bio
Ji Jeon is a Managing Director of Brasa Capital Management where her primary responsibilities include financial & risk management, reporting, tax, operations, fundraising and investor relations. Ms. Jeon has over 15 years of experience in corporate financial management in privately-held companies. Prior to that, she worked at Colony Capital and started her career at Arthur Andersen in San Francisco specializing in the financial services industry.
Education
Ms. Jeon earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and a Master of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Bio
Jeff Furber is Chairman Emeritus of AEW where he served as Global Chief Executive Officer from 1999-2020 and Global Chairman from 2020-2023. Under his leadership AEW experienced exemplary growth, expanding from a small US focused firm with $5 billion of assets under management to a $90 billion global platform with 18 offices offering institutional investors from over 20 countries real estate strategies in North America, Europe and Asia.
Mr. Furber is a member of the Board of STAG Industrial Inc. (NYSE:STAG), the Boston Childrens Hospital Trust and the Ogunquit Playhouse as well as a former Director of the Howard Hughes Corporation (NYSE:HHH).
Education
Mr. Furber is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School.
Bio
Matt Milich has been with Brasa Capital Management since its inception and is responsible for the acquisition and asset management of investments across the Western US and Texas. Prior to Brasa, Mr. Milich was the lead acquisitions officer for Pearlmark Real Estate’s West Coast efforts. Prior to Pearlmark, Mr. Milich worked directly under Mr. Samek at AEW Capital Management. At AEW he was involved in the acquisition, disposition and asset management of over $900MM of value-add and opportunistic investments.
Education
Mr. Milich received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Claremont McKenna College and dual Master of Business Administration and Master of Real Estate Development degrees from the University of Southern California.
Bio
Elliot Weinstock joined Brasa Capital Management at its launch and oversees the acquisition and asset management of projects in the Western US. Before joining Brasa, Mr. Weinstock was a Vice President at Kearny Real Estate Company, an operator focused on the development and investment of office and industrial properties in Southern California. Mr. Weinstock was involved in the acquisition and asset management of over $400MM of value-add and opportunistic investments, partnering with equity providers that included AEW, Morgan Stanley, PCCP and Sequoia.
Education
Mr. Weinstock received a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from The City College of New York and a Master of Business Administration and Master of Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California.
Bio
Alexis Lewis is a Vice President of Investments at Brasa Capital Management. Prior to joining Brasa, she served as an Economic Policy Manager for the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. While in this role at the Mayor’s Office, Ms. Lewis spearheaded City efforts to drive commercial development in South Los Angeles and co-led the Mayor’s Evolve Entertainment Fund, a public-private partnership.
Education
Ms. Lewis received a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from New York University and a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business where she studied hospitality and real estate development.
Bio
Jojo Chan is the Senior Vice President of Finance and Accounting at Brasa Capital Management. With over a decade of public accounting experience at EY, Ms. Chan has worked across both East Coast and West Coast markets, serving a diverse portfolio of clients in the real estate sector. Specializing in financial reporting and strategic financial planning, Ms. Chan has provided assurance services to an array of real estate industry players. Her expertise helps clients navigate complex accounting standards and regulatory requirements while making informed financial decisions in an evolving market.
Education
Ms. Chan earned a Bachelor of Science from Bentley University, where she double-majored in Accounting and Media, Arts & Society, graduating cum laude and as a member of the Honors Society. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in both New York and California. Jojo is bilingual in Cantonese and English.
Bio
Jess Himmel is a Vice President of Acquisitions and Asset Management at Brasa Capital Management focusing on investments in the Western US and Texas. Prior to joining Brasa Capital, Ms. Himmel was a Vice President of Acquisitions and Originations at PCCP, LLC in Los Angeles where she led the closing of over $2.5B in transactions. Prior to PCCP, Ms. Himmel worked in acquisitions and asset management at Norges Bank Investment Management in New York. Ms. Himmel also worked at Bain & Company in Toronto, Canada and Ogilvy & Mather in Beijing, China. Ms. Himmel speaks Mandarin and French.
Education
Ms. Himmel received a Bachelor of Commerce degree with honors from the University of Toronto and a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Bio
Henry Castillo is an Associate at Brasa Capital Management and focuses on the acquisition and asset management of projects in the Western US and Texas. Prior to joining Brasa Capital, Mr. Castillo was an Associate at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) where he completed over $600MM of debt and equity transactions, with a focus on multifamily financing. Mr. Castillo joined JLL as part of their acquisition of HFF, where he served as a Debt & Equity Analyst since 2018.
Education
Mr. Castillo received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Middlebury College.
Bio
Eli Weintraub is the Chief Compliance Officer and VP, Finance & Operations at Brasa Capital Management. Prior to joining Brasa, Eli was the Assistant Controller at Main Street Advisors, a strategic investment advisory firm. While in this role, Eli managed the transactions and operations of the investment entities and the management company.
Education
Mr. Weintraub received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a minor in Business and Liberal Arts from Queens College, City University of New York.
Bio
Allison Stern is the Head of Talent at Brasa Capital Management where her primary responsibilities include sourcing and retaining firm talent. Ms. Samek has over 20 years of experience managing people, culture and teams in privately-held organizations. Prior to Brasa, Allison ran Operations for Ron Herman, served as CEO of Fred Segal and started her career at Deloitte Consulting specializing in strategy and operations.
Education
Ms. Stern earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Magna Cum Laude, from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Bio
Owen Muller is an Associate at Brasa Capital Management and focuses on the acquisition and asset management of projects in the Western US and Texas. Prior to joining Brasa, Mr. Muller was a Senior Analyst at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) where he supported over $2B of studio and office transactions throughout Los Angeles. Mr. Muller joined JLL’s Capital Markets team as an Office Investment Sales Analyst in 2021.
Education
Mr. Muller received a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California
Bio
Michelle Tran is an Associate at Brasa Capital Management. Prior to joining Brasa, Ms. Tran worked as a Claims Specialist for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Ms. Tran specialized in CA and NV auto and homeowner litigated claims in which she participated in numerous mediations, and trials.
Education
Ms. Tran received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus on policy from The University of California, Berkeley.
Bio
Nahiyan Khan is an Analyst at Brasa Capital Management and focuses on the acquisition and asset management of projects in the Western US and Texas. Prior to joining Brasa Capital, Mr. Khan was a Summer Analyst for Redcar Properties.
Education
Mr. Khan received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business.
Bio
Alex Lee is an Analyst at Brasa Capital Management and focuses on the acquisition and asset management of projects in the Western US and Texas. Prior to joining Brasa Capital, Mr. Lee was an investment banking analyst in Evercore’s M&A group.
Education
Mr. Lee received a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University.
Bio
Megha Khuntia is an Analyst at Brasa Capital Management. Prior to joining Brasa Capital, Ms. Khuntia was a Summer Analyst for Staley Point Capital.
Education
Ms. Khuntia received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.
Bio
LaChantae Petters is an Operations Analyst at Brasa Capital Management. Ms. Petters has a strong background in executive support, project management, and operations, with experience spanning real estate, entertainment, and nonprofit industries. Before joining Brasa, she held roles that focused on streamlining processes, coordinating teams, and driving organization efficiency.
Education
Ms. Petters earned a Bachelor of Science in International Finance from Ferris State University.
Contact Us
For more information about Brasa Capital email [email protected] or connect to learn more.
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