IDS Names Kathy Briscoe as CIO

David Mgrublian, CEO of IDS, says that as chief investment officer, Briscoe will be responsible for securing and serving new institutional investors and investment consulting clients, and serving as key portfolio manager involved in both ongoing client service and the acquisition process. Mgrublian says that as IDS has grown, it has recognized a need to bring "somebody of Kathy's reputation, track record and experience into this vital role in order to take advantage of what we view as outstanding real estate opportunities in the coming years."

In particular, Mgrublian points out that Briscoe is an experienced workout specialist and has spent her career investing in value-add, turn around real estate. "She has a perfect skill set for the opportunities in the marketplace at this point in the cycle," the IDS CEO says. Mgrublian emphasizes that Briscoe's role is "very senior and high profile, focusing on securing and serving institutional investors and having responsibility for institutional investor portfolio performance."

Briscoe was with Lowe Enterprises for 19 years and was a founding member of the Investment Management Group and a shareholder of LE, helping to grow Lowe Enterprises Investors to more than $2 billion in assets under management during her tenure. From 2007 to 2008, she served as managing director of Buchanan Street Partners as head of the Los Angeles office.

Briscoe observes that investors today "are looking for absolute transparency from their investment advisers, both in evaluating assets currently under ownership, and on regular communication covering investment an implementation strategies for moving forward." She says that part of her focus will be "adding the depth of my relationships with investors and consultants on a national basis" to the IDS platform. "Such a platform is vital in securing existing real estate portfolios, even if they are out of the region," she says.