Elevate, Inc. welcomes new client Black Sail, an emerging opportunistic real estate platform focused on acquiring institutional quality multifamily assets. Black Sail has chosen Tampa as its headquarters and is actively pursuing investment opportunities. We interviewed Managing Partner Doug Mueller to learn more about Black Sail and its connection to Tampa Bay. Take a look at the interview below.
1.Tell us a little about your background.
I was born and raised in Iowa, attended the University of Iowa and joined the Navy where I spent 10 years in the Public Affairs and Navy Security sectors. My last assignment was to the Navy Criminal Investigative Service headquarters in Washington DC and where I began my career in property management. I’ve been involved in Commercial Real Estate for the past 25 years now, nearly all of which was focused on multifamily.
- Tell us a little about your family.
Half of them are very loud. The other half, not so much. They’re all great. My parents are gone but my brother and sister and their kids all live in Iowa. My wife’s parents live in Tampa and their extended family are in New York area. Guess which ones are loud?
- What are some accomplishments you’re proud of?
I’m a Shellback? It’s an initiation ceremony in the Navy commemorating a sailor’s first crossing of the equator. It is not a pretty ceremony and I’m pretty sure its no longer legal. I hope not.
Professionally, the largest transaction I’ve worked on was while I was President of a Boston based Real Estate Company that acquired a Public REIT in a joint venture with Morgan Stanley and Onyx for $1.5 Billion. At the time, it was the sixth largest real estate deal in history and consisted of more than 13,000 apartments in five states. Getting that deal done was incredibly difficult – it was a proud, David-took-down-Goliath, moment.
- What is Black Sail Group?
Black Sail, its affiliates and investors, in partnership with Institutional Private Equity (Wallstreet), will purchase multifamily properties at a significant discount from replacement costs, operate those properties for the purpose of creating value, and then sell sale them for a profit.
- What connected you to Tampa Bay?
I had done business in Tampa for more than a decade but never really considered moving from the DC area. On an especially cold winter day in Baltimore I received a call from an Executive Search Firm that had a client that needed a Chief Operating Officer for their Real Estate Platform. Goodbye snow.
- What are some of your professional affiliations?
I’m a Certified Property Manager by the Institute of Property Management and an IREM member. I’m a Past President of the Maryland Multi Housing Association, an affiliate of the National Apartment Association. I’m interested in learning about local associations and networking opportunities.
- How do you spend your free time (pre-pandemic days)?
My wife, Christina and I are both foodies and explorers, so we love finding new neighborhoods and restaurants. We’ve got our group of friends and family from all walks of life that we spend time with. We just lost one dog and are about to become new dog parents so there’s that. I have a relatively bad addiction to Iowa Hawkeye sports.
- Anything, in particular, you’re enjoying about our city?
I just opened my office downtown in the beer can and I love it. Downtown has become our go to for nights and weekends too. The city really hit a home run with their investment in the Riverwalk.
- Why is Black Sail starting now?
We were in process of building the Company and pursuing investments. The Coronavirus changed our short-term approach to how we’re preparing the Company to quickly seize opportunities that arise from market disruption.
To learn more about Black Sail Group, visit its website at www.blacksailgroup.com.
