Management Team
A. James Clark - Chairman of the Board and CEO
The career of A. James Clark is a true American success story. As a young man, fresh out of the University of Maryland in 1950, he joined a small local general contracting company that he would eventually own. Over the course of the next sixty years, his leadership and vision transformed it into one of the largest privately held companies in the nation. As an engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, he has been the recipient of many academic, professional and civic honors. Mr. Clark is an honorary Trustee of the University of Maryland College Park Foundation. He is an Emeritus Trustee of The Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine and is currently a member of the PGA Tour Golf Course Properties Advisory Board. He previously served on the Boards of CarrAmerica Realty Corporation, GEICO Corporation, PEPCO Holdings, Inc. and Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin).
Lawrence C. Nussdorf - President and Chief Operating Officer
Trained as a lawyer and CPA, with special expertise in real estate, finance and tax law, Mr. Nussdorf has managed the day-to-day operations of the company for more than 30 years. He is responsible for all aspects of its investment activities and directs the company's business strategies for growth and diversification. Mr. Nussdorf serves on the boards of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POM) and SAIC, Inc.(NYSE:SAI) and was previously a director of CapitalSource, Inc. (NYSE:CSE) and a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Nussdorf received his bachelor's degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, a law degree from Rutgers School of Law, and a Masters of (Tax) Law from Georgetown University Law Center.
Robert J. Flanagan - Executive Vice President
With a diverse business background that ranges from professional sports to technology, Mr. Flanagan oversees the acquisition, management and development of new private equity investment opportunities for CEI. In a complementary role, Mr. Flanagan also serves as Managing Director of CNF Investments LLC, the private equity division of CEI. In that capacity, Mr. Flanagan is a member of the board of directors of Angel Medical Systems, Inc., Eagle Oil & Gas Co., ILD Telecommunications, MonosolRX, OfficeArrow, Sagent Pharmaceuticals and Svelte Medical Systems, Inc. He was formerly chairman of the board of directors of Martek Biosciences Corporation (NASDAQ:MATK) (2007-2011). Certified as a public accountant in Washington, D.C., he received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Georgetown University and a master's degree in taxation from the American University School of Business. He is an active member of Washington's Federal City Council, the Economic Club of Washington, and the Catholic Charities Foundation.
Rebecca L. Owen - Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Counsel
Ms. Owen heads the Legal Department and the Real Estate Acquisitions, Development and Repositioning Department, positions she has held since 1995. Before joining the company, Ms. Owen practiced real estate law in Washington, D.C. at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (formerly known as Shaw Pittman LLP) and general business law in Burlington, Vermont. Ms. Owen is an alumna of The University of Chicago Law School and is a summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hamilton College, with a B.A. in economics. Ms. Owen is a member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, DC.
Terri D. Klatzkin - Senior Vice President
Ms. Klatzkin is a financial executive with over 20 years experience. She heads the Wealth Management Department of CEI and is involved in strategic and tax planning, wealth management, risk management, asset protection and management, family office management, and investments. A CPA formerly with KPMG in Baltimore, Ms. Klatzkin and her team work closely with subsidiaries, affiliates and business partners to structure transactions that assure tax efficient results for the organization. Ms. Klatzkin is a magna cum laude graduate of Towson University with a B.S. in Accounting.
James J. Brinkman - Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Brinkman is a CPA with over 15 years of financial and managerial experience. He is responsible for directing the fiscal functions of CEI with oversight of financial policies, financial systems and strategic planning. Prior to joining CEI in 2008, Mr. Brinkman spent over five years at Allied Capital as the Senior Vice President of financial operations. Prior to Allied Capital, Mr. Brinkman held several managerial positions within the hospitality, technology and communications industries. Mr. Brinkman began his career with Arthur Andersen and is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a B.S. in Accounting.
Michael J. Mintz - Vice President & Deputy General Counsel
Mr. Mintz oversees the legal support for CEI's departments and affiliates by managing outside counsel and the Legal Department's in-house lawyers, who negotiate and close numerous transactions, handle litigation, and advise clients on a diverse range of issues. Prior to joining CEI in 2007, Mr. Mintz practiced law for many years with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, focusing on real estate equity investments, syndicated mezzanine lending transactions, and other transactions involving technology and real estate. His diverse experience facilitates his representation of CEI's multifaceted business interests. Mr. Mintz has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Lesley-Jane Dixon - Senior Vice President
Ms. Dixon leads CEI's Investment Management Group. Prior to joining CEI in 2007, Ms. Dixon was a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Lord Abbett where she focused on Small and Micro-Cap strategies. She developed a robust skill-set over a 20 year career on Wall Street that centered on research, analysis and portfolio management. Ms. Dixon earned the Charted Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a graduate of Wake Forest University with a B.S. in Business.
Richard R. Dodd - Assistant Vice President
Mr. Dodd oversees the entire tax function of CEI and the Family Office including compliance, research, tax planning, and audits by taxing authorities. Mr. Dodd and his team manage all aspects of taxation within the CEI organization including real estate, corporations, partnerships, individuals, estates, foundations and trusts. They are responsible for all tax systems, procedures, and timely reporting to taxing authorities. Mr. Dodd acquired considerable experience in the Real Estate Practices during his years of employment with the accounting firms of Beers & Cutler and Ernst & Young. A CPA with over 14 years experience, Mr. Dodd is a cum laude graduate of the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Accounting.
Dawn H. Silva - Assistant Vice President
Ms. Silva has been with the company since 1997. Overseeing CEI's Accounting Department, Ms. Silva and her team of 15 people are tasked with developing and implementing all accounting systems and procedures for the financial management structure and providing accurate and timely financial information to management, banks, subsidiaries and related business entities Prior to joining the company, Ms. Silva was employed for six years with the accounting firm of Ernst & Young. Ms. Silva is a graduate of the University of Texas - Austin with a BBA and Masters in Professional Accounting.