OUR TEAM
Meet the dedicated professionals who bring expertise, passion, and a commitment to excellence to The Green Companies.
JAMES BERNSTEIN, CEO
James R. Bernstein is the CEO of The Green Companies, a third-generation family business with a distinguished history in real estate development, construction, and property management. With nearly $1 billion in transactional experience, he oversees acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and capital raising, driving the strategic direction of the firm. Over the past several years, James has founded multiple real estate syndications in Florida, acquiring over $200 million in properties. He currently manages approximately $500 million in real estate assets under management, generating $30 million in annual revenue.
James also leads Green Construction, which has managed and developed millions of square feet for both the company’s portfolio and esteemed clients such as Baptist Health, Miami Dade College, and Cole, Scott & Kissane. He directs the property management division, which works closely with the asset management team to enhance property value and operational performance. He has expertise in sourcing opportunities, value engineering, and repositioning assets.
In addition to his leadership at The Green Companies, James has served on the boards of Advantia Health, Dorsata, and The Miami Cancer Institute. He is currently a board member of the Urban Land Institute’s Southeast Division, contributing to advancements in the real estate and urban development sectors. James graduated cum laude from Boston University’s School of Management and earned his Juris Doctorate with distinction from the University of Miami Law School.
ELIZABETH GREEN ESQ., MANAGING PARTNER
Elizabeth A. Green is best known for her role in shaping the Dadeland South and North Stations, a landmark public-private partnership with Miami-Dade County that set a national precedent for ground leases in the United States.
The Dadeland South Station development includes a 200-room Marriott Hotel and four Class A office buildings totaling 700,000 square feet, all developed by an affiliate of The Green Companies. This project was among the first in the country to integrate large-scale mixed-use development with public transportation infrastructure, becoming a model for transit-oriented development nationwide. Over her career, Elizabeth has amassed $1 billion in transactional experience, solidifying her reputation as a leader in the real estate industry.
Elizabeth graduated with honors from the University of Miami Law School. In her legal capacity, she oversees leasing, transactions, closings, acquisitions, and dispositions, ensuring seamless execution of the company’s complex real estate operations. As the principal owner of The Green Companies, she provides strategic direction and manages all legal and business operations, playing a pivotal role in maintaining the firm’s long-standing reputation for excellence.
In addition to her professional achievements, Elizabeth has actively contributed to the community through her involvement in various organizations. She served on the board of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) and was a founding board member of both the Miami City Ballet and the Institute of Contemporary Art. Elizabeth currently serves on the board of the Locust Projects, further demonstrating her commitment to fostering cultural and community development.
RICHARD HORTON, PRESIDENT OF CONSTRUCTION
Richard M. Horton, President of Green Construction Corp., brings 48 years of construction experience to the team. As the Licensing Qualifier for Green Construction Corp. for over 30 years, Mr. Horton has played a pivotal role in delivering notable projects for The Green Companies, including numerous office and residential highrises. Over his career, he has overseen the development of tens of millions of square feet of construction. A recognized subject matter expert in construction and zoning, Mr. Horton serves on the Board of Rules and Appeals, where he is collaborating with a team to draft the criteria for implementing the SIRS requirements for Miami-Dade County. Additionally, he was instrumental in crafting the Dadeland Zoning Charette, which lead to the development of over 5,000 apartment units. Mr. Horton’s expertise encompasses fast-tracking construction, coordinating with owners, developers, architects, and engineers, projecting and monitoring costs, and performing value engineering. His extensive experience and leadership ensure streamlined processes and successful project execution.
JESSE SEITZ, VICE PRESIDENT OF INVESTMENTS
Jesse Seitz is Vice President of Investments. Mr. Seitz has been involved in underwriting, acquisition, financing, asset management and portfolio strategy. He has direct experience in operational oversight of commercial and multifamily real estate, routinely performs financial and demand analysis for acquisitions, as well as market strategies. Mr. Seitz deep financial knowledge has been instrumental in extracting value from properties and to deliver strong returns to investors. Mr. Seitz is a graduate of Northwestern University.
SUSAN GRAD, VICE PRESIDENT/CONTROLLER
Susan A. Grad, Vice President and Controller at The Green Companies, brings over 20 years of expertise in financial management, accounting, and strategic oversight. With a strong background in bookkeeping and proficiency in Yardi and other industry-leading financial platforms, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing all financial operations. Susan ensures accurate reporting, compliance with industry standards, and the implementation of efficient systems and processes that drive the company’s financial health and operational excellence.
Her meticulous approach to budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis supports informed decision-making and aligns with the company’s strategic goals. Susan’s leadership has been instrumental in streamlining workflows, optimizing internal controls, and enhancing financial transparency. By integrating innovative accounting solutions and leveraging her deep industry knowledge, she helps The Green Companies achieve long-term success, stability, and growth.
TONY PEREZ, PRESIDENT OF MANAGEMENT
José Antonio Pérez, President of Property Management at Green Companies, brings over 20 years of expertise in managing and optimizing large-scale commercial property portfolios across office, industrial, and retail sectors. His extensive experience includes senior leadership roles at Colliers International, Codina Group/Flagler Development (Berger Commercial Realty), Miami Free Zone, and Florida Power & Light. At Colliers International, he managed financial and operational functions for a 300,000 SF Class “A” office park, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets and capital improvement projects. During his tenure at Codina Group/Flagler Development, he directed operations for 6-8 million SF of commercial real estate across 30 locations, successfully implementing service contracts, tenant improvements, and cost-saving measures. As Director of Operations at Miami Free Zone, he oversaw a 350,000 SF office/warehouse complex, driving financial performance, tenant satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Earlier in his career at Florida Power & Light, he administered a $1 billion 401(k) plan for over 13,000 participants, excelling in employee relations and fiduciary responsibilities.