Eric Sussman: A Multifaceted Figure in Finance, Real Estate, and Education at UCLA

Eric Sussman is a prominent figure associated with UCLA, renowned for his expertise in finance, real estate, and accounting, as well as his contributions to education. His career encompasses roles as an educator, consultant, entrepreneur, and expert witness, making him a multifaceted professional with a significant impact on the academic and business communities.

Academic Prowess at UCLA Anderson

Sussman's academic career at UCLA Anderson School of Management is marked by his dedication to teaching and his ability to connect real-world experiences with classroom learning. Since 1995, he has been teaching courses in cost/managerial accounting, financial accounting, financial statement analysis, equity valuation, corporate financial reporting, and real estate investment and finance. His courses cater to undergraduate, graduate, and Executive Education students.

His excellence in teaching has been consistently recognized. Sussman is an eight-time winner of the MBA Teaching Excellence Award and a seven-time winner of the FEMBA Teaching Excellence Award, in addition to receiving numerous other teaching awards and national recognitions. His teaching style emphasizes the practical application of financial concepts, making the subject matter relatable and engaging for his students.

Mentorship and Global Exposure

Beyond traditional classroom instruction, Sussman has actively mentored numerous MBA and Fully Employed MBA field study teams. He has also led student travel groups to various international locations, including Brazil, China, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi, providing students with invaluable global exposure and insights into international business practices. One such experience is the "Navigating Brazil's Business Landscape" course, which offers students an immersive learning opportunity in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. This course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and risks associated with doing business and investing in Brazil.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Real Estate Expertise

Sussman’s involvement extends beyond academia into the world of entrepreneurship and real estate. He is a founding partner of Clear Capital, LLC, a real estate investment firm where he oversees the firm’s capital, equity, and debt departments, as well as strategic planning functions. His role involves providing leadership in private equity, joint ventures, and fund formations.

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In addition to Clear Capital, Sussman is also president of Amber Capital, manager of Fountain Management, and managing partner of the Pacific Value Opportunities Fund and Clear Opportunity Fund. These entities have collectively acquired, rehabilitated, developed, and managed over 2 million square feet of residential and commercial real estate.

Clear Capital, LLC: A Multifaceted Real Estate Investment Firm

Clear Capital, LLC, benefits from Sussman's leadership in capital markets and strategic planning. His expertise guides the firm's private equity endeavors, joint ventures, and fund formations. Other key figures at Clear Capital include:

Greg Worchell: A founding partner with over 30 years of real estate experience, specializing in innovative deal-making and business operations.
Daniel Hardy: A founding partner overseeing day-to-day operational activities and strategic plan implementation, bringing over 25 years of real estate experience.
Paul Pellizzon: A founding partner managing accounting and finance functions, possessing extensive knowledge in conventional and financial services.

The firm's asset management team, including professionals like Kameryn Groeger, supports property operations across the portfolio by monitoring performance metrics and analyzing financial data. The accounting team, led by Tyler Stoll as Chief Financial Officer and Patti Richardson as Controller, ensures accurate financial reporting and internal controls. Christopher Serna manages investor relations, while Garrett Rosborough oversees information technology infrastructure.

Consulting and Expert Witness Roles

With his extensive knowledge and experience, Sussman has consulted for both large and small firms, both nationally and globally. He is a frequent lecturer on various financial, accounting, and corporate reporting topics.

Sussman has also served as an expert witness and consultant in commercial litigation, addressing matters related to corporate financial reporting and disclosure, audit effectiveness, valuation, real estate due diligence and related practices, and overall damage analyses. His ability to apply real-world experiences to his consulting and expert witness roles enhances his credibility and effectiveness.

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Research Focus

Professor Sussman's research interests lie in real estate investment and finance, financial statement analysis and valuation, and corporate financial reporting. His research contributes to the academic understanding of these areas and informs his teaching and consulting activities.

SCDF Economic Forecast

Sussman's insights are also sought after in broader economic discussions. At the SCDF Economic Forecast, he shared his perspectives on the challenges facing office space, citing interest rates, inflation, and the increasing need for fire resilience. He also emphasized the need for a more efficient permitting process, drawing from his experience as a Pacific Palisades resident.

Impact on Students

One notable example of Sussman's impact is evident in the experiences of students like Leon Lehmann, who is pursuing a UCLA Anderson MBA with a focus on Latin America. Lehmann participated in Sussman's "Navigating Brazil's Business Landscape" course, which provided him with invaluable insights into the Brazilian market. Lehmann emphasized the importance of evaluating investments through a regional and institutional lens, gaining a clearer understanding of Brazil’s economic complexity.

Another student, Shannon Sherwood, highlighted how the Brazil immersion changed her thinking about business, culture, and participation in the global economy. The course provided candid perspectives on operating realities, competitive challenges, and the trends shaping Brazil’s economic future.

Ziman Center for Real Estate

Sussman is associated with the Ziman Center for Real Estate at UCLA, which fosters research and education in the field of real estate. The center brings together faculty from various departments across the UCLA campus to generate high-quality research through its Working Papers series.

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