Mr. Yap is the Chief Investment Officer, EVP-West Region, and a co-founder of First Industrial Realty Trust. He directs the overall investment and disposition strategy of the Company, including the approval process, for both on-balance sheet and joint venture transactions. During Mr. Yap’s career with First Industrial, he has overseen the underwriting and execution of more than $12 billion of industrial real estate transactions. He is also is responsible for management of the Company’s West Region portfolio and personnel.
Mr. Yap has led the sourcing and structuring of more than $1 billion of UPREIT investments that established the Company’s national platform. He has also directed the formation of several joint ventures, which have significantly expanded First Industrial’s franchise.
Prior to joining First Industrial, Mr. Yap worked for The Shidler Group where he was responsible for financing, construction management, leasing, asset and property management, and sales.
His professional affiliations include the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT). Mr. Yap also serves on the Board of Advisors of the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate at the University of Wisconsin.
Mr. Yap earned his Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Architecture from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and his Bachelor of Science in architecture from the University of the Philippines.