BentleyForbes Names James Kasim President, COO

Kasim, who will also join the founders of privately held BentleyForbes as a member of the company's executive committee, takes over posts formerly held by David Cobb and Bert Dezzutti, both of whom have left the company. Cobb held the title of president and CEO; Dezzutti was COO. The CEO title is now held by C Frederick Wehba II (Jr.), who is also the chairman of BentleyForbes.

Wehba says that BentleyForbes tapped Kasim for "his extensive knowledge of real estate, finance and corporate operations, as well as his past experience with the company." Kasim originally joined BentleyForbes in 2005 and served as the company's CFO until 2008.

During Kasim's previous time with BentleyForbes he was responsible for the company's corporate finance, financial reporting and asset management functions, while being integrally involved in the acquisition process, including deal negotiation and acquisition due diligence. He also oversaw all aspects of the company's hospitality division.

Before his first tenure with BentleyForbes, Kasim was a senior manager with Ernst & Young's real estate and hospitality practice for nearly 11 years. His clients there included some ofthe largest real estate and hospitality companies in the nation.

BentleyForbes, founded in 1993, is focused on the acquisition, ownership and management of trophy class A office buildings, luxury resort and hotel properties and select industrial and retail facilities. THe company owns and operates a portfolio of assets valued in excess of $2.7 billion that comprises approximately 7.9 million square feet in markets across the US.