28-Year Industry Veteran Takes the Helm from Kain Matsumoto, Effective July 1st, 2017
IRVINE, Calif., June 30, 2017–MBK Real Estate LLC (MRE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Katsuo “Katsu” Yamanaka as the company’s next Chairman of the Board. Mr. Yamanaka succeeds Kain Matsumoto, who since 2013 has been an integral part of MRE’s development strategies. Mr. Matsumoto will transition to First Real Estate Business Division in Mitsui Tokyo Headquarters as the General Manager, overseeing Mitsui’s global real estate activities. Mr. Yamanaka, who joined MRE’s parent company, Mitsui & Co. Ltd., in 1989 will be responsible for the overall management of MRE. He will oversee the development and execution of the company’s fiscal strategies, evaluate the organization’s fiscal function and performance as well as direct MRE’s subsidiaries to fulfill the strategic goals of the organization.
“I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to lead MBK Real Estate – a great company with a renowned heritage of building quality real estate developments and operating senior living communities that enhance lifestyles and families,” said Mr. Yamanaka. “I have admired MRE for many years and believe the company’s history of innovation, unparalleled quality and unmatched customer service present enormous opportunities to expand the company’s reach in emerging real estate markets throughout the United States.”
Mr. Yamanaka is currently a Deputy General Manager at Mitsui & Co. Ltd., where he has overseen the firm’s First Real Estate Business Division in Tokyo since August 2015. In this role, Mr. Yamanaka plans and manages Mitsui’s Global Real Estate portfolio for residential, industrial, logistics, and office properties. He is also responsible for all Human Resources aspects of the First Real Estate Business Division.
Before his role as Deputy General Manager, Mr. Yamanaka was the General Manager of Mitsui’s First Overseas Business Development Department, Urban Development Division, for the US and UK real estate markets. He also spent five years in Southern California as Senior Vice President of MBK Real Estate.
“Since Katsu joined Mitsui in 1989, he has been involved extensively in the real estate industry. During 2002-2007, He was the SVP of MBK Real Estate and responsible for MRE’s senior housing and retail real estate investment strategy. Katsu knows MRE very well and he will use that knowledge to help lead the company’s continued success,” Mr. Matsumoto said.
After earning a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tokyo, Mr. Yamanaka joined Mitsui in 1989 in the company’s Property Development Division in Osaka. He has worked in various capacities in Asia, Europe, and the US. Mr. Matsumoto will remain a board member for MRE when he moves to his new assignment as General Manager of First Real Estate Business Division at Mitsui’s Tokyo headquarters.
About MBK Real Estate LLC
MBK Real Estate LLC, the U.S. real estate development arm of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., is an industry leader in real estate development. Through its three subsidiaries, MBK Homes, MBK Rental Living and MBK Senior Living, MBK Real Estate is renowned for building award-winning new home communities and apartments, and for its reputation in providing exceptional, high-standard service throughout its senior living communities, regarded for enriching lifestyles. The company has been named one the “Best Places to Work in Orange County” by the Orange County Business Journal. For more information, visit www.mbk.com.
