Financial Services >> Money Manager Interviews >> June 1, 2009

Investing In Commercial Real Estate – Brian S. Brennan – Allianz Of America

Brian S. Brennan is Director, Real Estate Acquisitions, for Allianz of America. His primary responsibilities include the acquisition of real estate equities as well as the management of a portfolio of real estate properties located throughout the United States. These assets are primarily held by the US affiliates of Allianz AG, one of the largest insurance companies in Europe. The consolidated group, including Fireman's Fund and Allianz Life, has total assets including securities of approximately $60 billion. He has extensive background in commercial real estate including real estate development as well as syndicating tax advantaged investments. After receiving an MBA degree in 1978 from the University of North Texas, he became a senior tax consultant in the Dallas office of Arthur Andersen specializing in real estate partnerships. With the tax law change in 1981, he and some Arthur Andersen associates formed an investment banking firm (Banyan Realty) and syndicated tax advantaged real estate investments. This led to an opportunity to become a principal in a Dallas-based real estate development firm (McNeff-Palmer Properties) that actively developed commercial real estate during the 1980's. He joined Allianz in 1989 to initiate the real estate equity investment program now in place. He is actively involved in NAIOP, AFIRE, and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Profile
TWST: Please start by telling us about Allianz of America and what you do there.

Mr. Brennan: Allianz is a global financial services firm founded in 1890. It has

two significant business