Jeffrey H. Lynford is co-founder and Chairman of the Wellsford group of public and private real estate companies, which over a 25-year period has acquired, operated, rehabilitated, developed, financed and sold real estate assets, debt instruments, and alternative investments with a total value in excess of $5 billion.

Wellsford Group, Inc.: Organized in 1986 as a private company to acquire, own and operate multi-family rental properties from various mortgagees in possession, it ultiamtely acquired 5,255 units in the southwestern United States. In 1992 Merrill Lynch lead-managed its initial public offering, and the founding private partners earned a 31.3% per annum return on invested equity.

Wellsford Residential Properties Trust: Organized in 1992 as a NYSE listed, self-administered, real estate investment trust (REIT) to own, develop and operate over 19,000 rental units located in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. In 1994 the REIT acquired Holly Residential Properties, Inc. in a tax-free stock merger, and in 1995 it obtained its first investment grade rating. In 1997 it merged with Equity Residential (EQR), the nation’s largest apartment REIT, in a tax-free stock merger valued at $1 billion. Common shareholders in the IPO earned a 22% per annum return on invested equity. Mr. Lynford served as Chairman.

Wellsford Real Properties, Inc.: Organized in 1997 as an AMEX listed, spin-off from the REIT, to continue the real estate investment and development activities of the Wellsford founders with institutional joint venture partners and shareholders. In 1998 it acquired Value Property Trust in a tax-free stock merger, formed Wellsford Commercial Properties Trust which ultimately acquired 6.5 million SF of suburban office buildings for rehabilitation, constructed “for sale” single-family and condominium projects, and capitalized a special purpose, AAA rated, debt investment vehicle. Ultimately these ventures acquired and/or sold over $5 billion of real estate properties and debt instruments. Additionally, it owned 23% of Reis, Inc. (see below). Mr. Lynford served as Chairman.

Reis, Inc.: Formed in 2007 through a tax-free merger with Wellsford Real Properties, Inc,. Reis is a NASDAQ-listed internet based, business-to-business, real estate information and analytics company. Mr. Lynford served as Chairman from 2007 to 2010.

Wellsford Strategic Partners LLC: Organized in 2008 to continue the private investment activities of Wellsford founders and investors.

Investment Banking
Senior positions at two major bracket firms, Bear Stearns & Co, Inc. and Warburg, Paribas, Becker, Inc., with responsibilities that included general management and recruitment, corporate finance and financial advisory assignments, the organization and distribution of equity offerings, and asset acquisitions and dispositions.