Najafi, head of the company, invests only his own capital. [11][12], Najafi was a founding partner of Social Venture Partners, a philanthropic venture capital fund that invests in emerging nonprofit organizations, as well as on the board of Urban Land Institute and the Arizona State University Committee for Design Excellence. To explore Pivotal Group's full profile, request access. I learned my basic management skills and leadership here at Thunderbird, where I also learned that you can work through your cultural and social differences. said Thunderbird President ngel Cabrera, Ph.D. Mr. Still, when Campaign Legal Center sent a complaint to the FEC about contributions to conservative super PAC DefendArizona from two apparent shell companies Highway 76, LLC and Blue Magnolia Investments, LLC it made an impact. At OpenSecrets.org we offer in-depth, money-in-politics stories in the public interest. Status. Though the source of DRTs funding is muddy, it appears to have a relatively obvious link to Hoovestols businesses. Pivotal Group is the largest investor in the startup company. This page was last edited on 17 November 2022, at 10:45. Pivotal Group is part of the Venture Capital & Private Equity industry, and located in Virginia, United States. Mr. Najafi serves as a Board Member of several private companies. In 2014, DPUS gave another $55,000 to the super PAC, which swiftly. individual achievement and encouragement of cultural unity at an awards every race from so many walks of life, together, celebrating the magic to learn more. equity and real estate. [34], Najafi and his wife, Cheryl Najafi, live in Arizona with their three children. 41 0 obj <>stream Pivotal Group leads significant growth equity investment in SnapNurse, an on-demand healthcare staffing platform . This award embodies the ideals of freedom, tolerance and acceptance Page 6 of 9. Todays announcement is a game-changer in many respects, said Soraya Hakuziyaremye, a Thunderbird alumna, former Rwandan minister of trade and current deputy Central Bank governor of Rwanda. leading telecommunications information and logistics company, and has Najafi Companies did not respond to a request for comment on any potential connection with DPUS. Pivotal Group, Thunderbird The School of Global Management, Intelligent Assistance and Bots Ecosystem. [4] Upon graduation from ASU, he attended the Thunderbird School of Global Management and earned a Masters Degree in International Management in 1977. The federal-level Iranian American PAC has received $15,000 from Francis Najafi, while the groups state-level 527 arm took a $5,000 contribution from DPUS in the 2016 election cycle and another $2,500 from the Jahm Najafi-owned Phoenix Suns in the 2018 cycle. Justin Lanne and Sandy Alter of Grubb and Ellis represented the sellers . F. Francis Najafi is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pivotal Group, a thirty-year-old investment firm with extensive experience in private equity investments, and all major real estate product types. Despite being located in a drab single-story office building, Corporation Trust Center is the go-to registered agent for companies that dont want to be found, serving as the registered agent address for roughly 300,000 businesses as of 2018 including Apple, WalMart and Coca-Cola. He has been a longtime investor in the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, and recently announced that he was maintaining his family's minority. Picture courtesy of Thunderbird College of International Administration at ASU. trailer 0000003867 00000 n Pivotal (Francis Najafi/Tyler Rives) The Najafi Companies (Jahm Najafi) . Francis Najafi is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pivotal Group, a thirty year old investment firm with experience in private equity and real estate investments and take it from me, this guy knows what he is doing! [4][23][24][25] Najafi and Najafi Cos. also bid to buy The Boston Globe in 2013. In addition to his professional success, this father of . Instastaff is a startup business that provides staffing to business customers seeking shift employees. Pivotal Group CEO F. Francis Najafi said SnapNurse has been growing thanks to its technology and its "understanding of how to make the process easier for both healthcare professionals and facilities" instead of getting bogged down with lengthy processes and credentialing paperwork. The only link to National Vista on the internet is an obscure document that highlights a widely cited study linking national brand cleaning products such as Clorox and Lysol to lung damage. Script error: No such module "Draft topics". As an immigrant some five decades ago, I learned the value of education. 0000007915 00000 n You have revoked consent to allow cookies. 2022 Promontory Development, LLC. Francis Najafi came to America from Iran to get an education and earned four degrees from three universities. Francis Najafi is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pivotal Group, a forty-year-old investment firm with experience in private equity, growth ventures and real estate investments. [13][6][27], In 2014, Najafi, through Najafi Cos., invested between $75 and $100 million to Paula Deen and Paula Deen Ventures to fuel her rebranding after she was fired from The Food Network in June 2013. For example, BK2 Holdings, a Princeton Junction, New Jersey-based company that gave $500,000 to SLF in 2017, is clearly linked to billionaire GOP donor Bruce Kovner in several ways. When Robert Sarver eventually sold the team to new ownership led by Mat Ishbia and his brother Justin Ishbia, Najafi was one of three minority team owners to keep all their stakes with the team once the sale went through on February 7, 2023. F. Francis Najafi is founder and CEO of Pivotal Group, a leading investment company focused on private equity and real estate. Pivotal Group Inc. completes a joint venture acquisition of 21 communities in Texas; NewGate Capital introduces a new fund aimed at the redevelopment of mixed-use projects in Central Florida; and . ", "Paula Deen makes $75M deal to re-boot her empire", "NBA team owner may soon own Sports Illustrated's owner", "Boivin: The story behind Sean Miller's questionable timeout vs. UCLA", "STX Separating From Eros As Najafi Companies Enters $173M Agreement To Acquire Hollywood Studio", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jahm_Najafi&oldid=1141017506, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 23:17. , which would spend $494,438 to oppose Sinemas Republican opponent Vernon Parker. 0000182369 00000 n The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations could not have But they dont appear to be on the same page politically. [32][33], On 7 December 2021, Jahm Najafi's Najafi Companies announced that it had reached an agreement to acquire STX Entertainment from ErosSTX for US$173 million. Contact Tyler Rives Thank you for your continued support. a symbol of freedom and tolerance around the world, said Senator John qualities in both their personal and processional lives, while (Photo by Wes Clowers). He runs Najafi Companies, a Phoenix-based private-equity firm, and is partial owner of the Phoenix Suns NBA team. %%EOF 8758 N Promontory Ranch Rd bG*aA wfmBB FP/v}. 6 36 DPUS was incorporated in Delaware in July 2012 and immediately got to work funneling money into Arizona politics, giving a total of $175,000 to a brand new super PAC called Restoring Arizonas Integrity in 2012. Opposing bids came from former Warner Music Group executive Edgar Bronfman Jr., Iowa-based company Meredith Corporation, and private equity firm Pamplona Capital Management. HSn@}G)_!UQ0B`%NpNZWb93350.HB$]>f8F^z^Sk6(`Sr\\L\G ZpL,Gqi the ULI Foundation, which generates funding for research, education and All prices, incentives, locations, descriptions, options, and terms are subject to change without notice. He has made such an amount from his various business. A similar address isnt the only piece of circumstantial evidence that appears to link Najafi to the apparent shell company. Their largest recipient is Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) with $25,700 in contributions. Michael Olsen Chief Financial Officer Globe Corp. Brad Parker Executive Vice President, West Region PNC Bank. To ensure the most secure and best overall experience on our website we recommend the latest versions of, Internet Explorer is no longer supported. In the first year, the initiative aims to reach learners in Iran, Kenya, Mexico, Indonesia, Egypt, India, Senegal, Brazil and Vietnam in their native languages. Access to higher education and the need for equity and inclusion is one of a global scale, ASU President Michael Crow said. Najafi called for Phoenix Suns' majority owner Robert Sarver's resignation on Thursday night, September 15. DPUS didnt limit its political giving to federal elections. Global Capacity and Pivotal Group have now commenced seeking regulatory approvals and estimate the . his commitment to the ideals for which Thunderbird stands and his He is a board member of EastWest Institute, a global think-and-do 0000182073 00000 n Francis Najafi is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pivotal Group, a thirty year old investment firm with experience in private equity and real estate investments. Pivotal focused on the purchase of commercial properties, such as The Century Plaza Hotel in Los . - F. Francis Najafi, CEO of Pivotal Group. [16], He has also served on the board of directors for the Phoenix Symphony and Phoenix Metropolitan Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and as chair of the board of trustees of Phoenix Country Day School. Our private mountain club began in 2001, when the world was introduced to the vision of Promontory by an uncompromising developer with extensive experience in building communities and providing high-end hospitality. , while Blue Magnolia Investments contribution was re-attributed to Berkshire Hathaway Automotive CEO Larry Van Tuyl, signaling that shedding light on these straw donors can force real disclosure. Mr. Najafi is also a patron on numerous cultural and civic organizations. Pivotal's Private Equity practice, which is traditionally oriented around full buyouts. Pivotal Group Team (17) Name Title Related Financings Office Contact Info; Francis Najafi Ph.D: Founder & Chief Executive Officer: 0: Phoenix, AZ Richard Garner: Chief Operating Officer: Phoenix, AZ Scott Knauer: Managing Director: Phoenix, AZ Tyler Rives: Managing . In 1982, he founded Pivotal Group, a real estate opportunity fund. The initiative, made attainable by a $25 million donation from the Najafis, will educate and empower 100 million learners by 2030, with 70% of them girls. 22/23 Colorado (13-2, 2-2 Pac-12) at Desert Financial Arena. Pivotal funds its investments with internally generated capital, allowing speed, flexibility, and patience to deliver todays most innovative products and services to the market and build industry leading companies and projects. 0000001495 00000 n Whether youre reading about 2022 midterm fundraising, conflicts of interest or dark money influence, we produce this content with a small, but dedicated team. Mr. Najafi is one of six Iranian-Americans to receive the Ellis Island Francis Najafi is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pivotal Group, a forty-year-old investment firm with experience in private equity, growth ventures and real estate investments. In this case, the source of the money is Kovner, but it takes some digging to figure that out, and BK2s contributions arent always disclosed as such. The club would be thoughtfully visioned to create something truly unique, reaching beyond the traditional country club offerings. Later he broadened Pivotal Group's mandate, successfully investing in private equity and growth venture opportunities. The deal is subject to a 45-day period where ErosSTX may solicit other offers; if ErosSTX declines the offer, it must pay a $4.5 million breakup fee. Flooding changed the course of the river in 1897 leaving a two-mile square piece of Iowa forever marooned in Nebraska. Mr. Najafi completed his B.S. that Kovner owns, though such a partnership attribution is not attached to the BK2 contribution to SLF. [7], Najafi founded Pivotal Group in 1982. Subscribe to see more. The company made another contribution $10,000 to the Mitch McConnell-aligned, The LLCs address, 200 Owen Parkway Circle, is the same as Lone Mountain Truck Leasing, and its registered agent in Iowa is Andy Lucht, CFO of the truck company. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. The Ellis My wife and I think of education as part of your basic human rights. Same platform but with new and improved features. The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO), the largest . The list of its authors can be seen in its historicaland/or the page Edithistory:Francis Najafi. The firm recently acquired Global Capacity, the worlds Thunderbird Dean Sanjeev Khagram celebrates the launch of the 100 million learners international initiative with Francis and Dionne Najafi. Mr. Najafi has substantial board-level experience. The fact that Najafi was able to buy his own project back so cheaply is a reflection of the turbulence in credit markets. Work History. Locally, Mr. Najafi serves, on the Board of Directors of Sandra Day OConnor Institute, is a Cabinet Member of the Presidents Club at Arizona State University, a Board Member Emeritus and Capital Campaign Chair of Arizona Science Center, and serves on ASUs W.P. For one, it uses his initials BK, just as Suzanne Kovners company uses the initials SK. Its address is the same as Kovners firm Caxton Alternative Management. The certificate will be covered by full scholarships, thus at no cost to learners. They gave just $20,400 to Republicans during that time. [5], It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly, Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 23:17, Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/7kT3EZmjY_q3xCRr-sV12MaDUOY/appointments, "How billionaire is using financial muscle for racial equity", "Network Solutions bought for $20 million, sold for $800 million three years later", "Possible New Owner for Borders: Meet Jahm Najafi", "Resolution COO Jeff Franklin Exits Agency", "Pivotal Private Equity to Acquire World's Largest Domain Name Registrar, Network Solutions", "Phoenix Investors Group Buys Century Plaza Hotel", "Pivotal plunking down $138M for office tower", "Najafi kicks Penske's tires; no Deadline deal", "NBA statement about independent investigation regarding Robert Sarver and the Phoenix Suns organization", "Phoenix Suns minority owner Jahm Najafi calls for Robert Sarver's resignation", https://arizonasports.com/story/3487485/mat-ishbias-purchase-of-phoenix-suns-set-to-be-complete-by-tuesday/, "U.S.-based MSP Sports Capital buys into McLaren F1", "Penguin Random House Sells Self-Publishing Company", "Borders Picks Najafi Companies as Lead Bidder", "Report: Phoenix investor competes with Alec Gores in bid for Borders Group", "June 27 deadline looms for bids to buy Globe", "Jeff Berg Speaks: Plans for New Agency, What Really Happened at ICM (Exclusive)", "Paula Deen Lands $75 Million to $100 Million Business DealShe's Making a Comeback, Y'all! But it doesnt make the money any less dark, as there is no way to know the real source of the funds. Ellis Island is the gateway Name. 22/23 Colorado (13-2, 2-2 Pac-12) at Desert Financial Arena. Francis Najafi is owner of The Pivotal Group, a long-time Phoenix businessman and philanthropist. SALT LAKE CITYIn a highly unusual bankruptcy outcome, the developer of a luxury golf community near Park City bought it back for pennies on the dollar Friday because the leading creditor was unable to scrap together a bid and nobody else was interested. that is America, said Nasser J. Kazeminy, Chairman of NECO. That is so unique to Thunderbird.. 0 The business wasted little time jumping into politics, giving $400,000 to the Mitch McConnell-aligned Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) on Oct. 17, 2018. At its inception, the firm capitalized on profitable market niches by acquiring, developing and managing investment grade commercial real estate properties in the Southwest. Two Thunderbird alumni, Francis and Dionne Najafi, donated $25 million to launch the initiative, the largest gift since Thunderbird joined ASU. country, Francis outstanding career is matched only by his sincere OpenSecrets Following the money in politics. 20005. Najafi has referred to The Central Park as his "legacy project," creating something that is unique, long-lasting, and perhaps serving as a model for . Francis Najafi is an Iranian-American businessman and investor. However, National Vista did something of note besides bankrolling a super PAC. Tri-Point Column in Carter Lake, Iowa. The sale was approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Judith Boulden. "It was a most unusual agreement," said Richard Aaron, a retired University of Utah bankruptcy-law professor and Promontory's auctioneer. Just because you can suspect an LLC has connections to company, it doesnt really tell you anything about the source of the money, Fischer said. Our goal is to enable A+ teams to reach their peaks and achieve greatness. Pivotal Group's private equity arm focuses on middle-market companies and annual. 0000156916 00000 n privateequity@pivotalgroup.com, Contact Richard Garner 0000061585 00000 n "He feels a sense of obligation to the community and a desire to protect the reputation of a development he's so closely associated with," said David Jordan, one of the lawyers for the Pivotal Group subsidiaries that operate Promontory. | PRIVACY POLICY | REVOKE COOKIE CONSENT. [5][6], Najafi continued his education at the University of Southern California where he worked as a Teachers Assistant (197779) while completing a Masters Degree in International Relations and his Ph.D. candidacy in the International Political Economy program. www.vbprofiles.com is now www.topionetworks.com. Francis is much more prolific and conservative. Pivotal's real. DC continuing to preserve the distinct values and rich heritage of their There is a large body of people around the world who have no access to education, Francis Najafi said. Richer's PAC had $69,761 in total expenditures, with $45,000 going to Defending Arizona Values, a campaign launched by Arizona Democrat Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick. Photo by Samantha Chow/ASU News, Reporter , ASU News. However, National Vista did something of note besides bankrolling a super PAC. We have the expertise to assess complex investment opportunities. As an immigrant some five decades ago, I learned the value of education. 0000008522 00000 n continued economic prosperity and world leadership, said Mr. Najafi. Hakuziyaremye said Africans across the continent will be able to access a world-class global education. It mightve come from the company, the companys owner, or it mightve come from another individual altogether. Some of these LLCs, such as DRT, LLC, are easier to track than others. Sorry, we Mr. Najafi currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Global Capacity, on the Board of Directors of the EastWest Institute, active in the World Presidents Organization (WPO) and Chief Executives Organization (CEO). xref 0000181689 00000 n McCain. Francis Najafi came to America from Iran to get an education and earned four degrees from three universities. And former NSA Deputy Director Bill Crowell will also join the board. Pivotal focused on the purchase of commercial properties, such as The Century Plaza Hotel in Los . Najafi and his brother Francis Najafi founder of 30-year-old Phoenix investment firm Pivotal Group are highly successful Iranian-American investors who happen to be politically active. Hotel in Los Angeles, 650 California Street, a Class A commercial office A group of creditors who forced the bankruptcy said he stopped paying loans in December 2007. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Editors note:This story is featured in the2022 year in review. The company has given $2.5 million to GOP outside groups since it began ramping up its political spending in 2011. F HmQ:!3%=9 The business wasted little time jumping into politics, giving $400,000 to the Mitch McConnell-aligned, The funders behind National Vista did a good job concealing their identities, using the address of the companys registered agent. diversity of the American people is what makes this nation great. [2] [3] Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 3 Philanthropy and recognition 4 Personal life Today, with its capital resources, experience and expertise, Pivotal Group is well positioned for continued success in the private equity and real estate markets. The Najafi Companies is an entrepreneurially driven private investment firm founded by Jahm Najafi in 2002. Thank you for accessing our content on the Topio Networks Market Intelligence Center. Francis Najafi, founder of Pivotal Group, announced the acquisition on behalf of a joint venture between an institutional investor and Pivotal Group. 0000003204 00000 n The Promontory vision guided the creation of the development of unique club structures harmonious with the land. 0000001318 00000 n [5], In May 2011, Najafi received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for outstanding citizenship, individual achievement, and encouragement of cultural unity. A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization, 1100 13th Street, NW, Suite 800 Sign up for our newsletter to track moneys influence on U.S. elections and public policy. If youd like to learn more or opt-out, please. "Having finished his undergraduate study in engineering, Francis obtained two masters degrees from the American Graduate School . We do not acquire companies from management teams; we partner with them. The company asserts that its products are healthier and more environmentally-friendly than national brands. Learn more about theFrancis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative. The club would be thoughtfully visioned to create something truly unique, reaching beyond the traditional country club offerings. commitment to serving his community, both locally and internationally., The cultural diversity of our great nation is essential for Americas Francis Najafi - $111,000 in Political Contributions for 2020, Campaign Finance, Money, American politics, American political campaign contributions, presidential campaign contributions . Jahm Najafi is an Iranian-American businessman who runs a private-equity firm, Najafi Companies. But they dont appear to be on the same page politically. We focus on companies and projects that lead in their market segments, show growth potential, and exhibit attractive margins. For more information, visit. 0000003156 00000 n In court on Friday, Credit Suisse didn't support or oppose Najafi's bid, surrendering the battle. Credit Suisse had matched Najafi's $30 million bid at an auction on Wednesday but, unable to raise even that amount, it withdrew the bid a day later. that attract people from around the globe. Pivotal Group and Trumpf Ventures lead significant investment in AI cybersecurity prediction platform . [8][9], Najafi has also been on the boards of directors of; The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft,[10] Greater Phoenix Economic Council,[11] Phoenix Art Museum,[12] and EastWest Institute.