I have known Brian for 45 years. As such, I am intimately aware of his motivations, intentions and his faith. When Brian first started his charitable endeavors three decades ago, I donated a small office space to the cause and help SmileTrain get off the ground.
I cannot comment on the tragic and flawed end to the combined efforts and deep friendship of Brian and his main contributor Charles Wang other than to feel that so much good has been wasted.
Brian Mullaney has helped more young people to have a better chance at life around the world than most world leaders.
Very few people can rightfully claim credit to having influenced so many disadvantaged young people and their health in a positive way.
Brian can.
His accomplishments, while shadowed by vendetta, intrigue and ultimately Wang’s death, can not be taken from him.
He is a good man, a great father and a better husband.
John Mannix
JOHN MANNIX HAS BEEN A NEW YORK CITY-BASED INVESTOR, REAL ESTATE ENTREPRENEUR AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL FOR OVER 35 YEARS.
COMMENCING IN 1981 AFTER HIS GRADUATION FROM GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, JOHN EMBARKED ON A BUSINESS JOURNEY THAT ENCOMPASSES OVER $1.4 BILLION IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS IN 45 STATES AS WELL AS CANADA AND CENTRAL AMERICA, STRUCTURING AND SALE OF OVER $300 MILLION IN ASSET-BACKED FINANCIAL PRODUCTS AND GROUND UP CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION OF SEVERAL THOUSAND APARTMENTS IN MANHATTAN’S EAST VILLAGE. INSTITUTIONS BACKING THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE GLOBAL MEGA-INVESTORS SUCH AS TIGER MANAGEMENT, SOROS FUND MANAGEMENT, USB REAL ESTATE AND WESTBROOK PARTNERS, WITH WHOM JOHN ENGINEERED A LEVERAGED BUYOUT IN 1995 OF SARAKREEK HOLDING NV, AN AMSTERDAM LISTED REIT WITH $500 MILLION IN US INVESTMENTS. THESES ACTIVITIES WERE CONDUCTED FROM 1985-2010 UNDER THE MERCHANT EQUITY GROUP, LLC UMBRELLA, OF WHICH JOHN WAS CEO.
CURRENTLY, MR. MANNIX IS A GENERAL PARTNER IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF 160 ARCHER AVENUE IN QUEENS, NY A 300 UNIT, $160 MILLION PROJECT IN HIS ROLE AS A PRINCIPAL AT SHOREWOOD REAL ESTATE GROUP FOCUSING ON QOZ INVESTMENTS. THE BUILDING WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE MARKET IN 2020.
JOHN IS ALSO A LIMITED PARTNER AT COINFUND. IO, A CRYPTOCURRENCY AND BLOCKCHAIN FOCUSED MERCHANT BANK AND ADVISORY FIRM AS WELL AS A GENERAL PARTNER IN CHAINASSETS, SA, A GENEVA-BASED FUND IN THE BLOCKCHAIN SPACE.
IN HIS ROLE AS A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL IN NEW YORK STATE FOR OVER A DECADE, MR. MANNIX WAS THE VICE CHAIRMAN AND CHAIR OF AUDIT FOR THE NEW YORK STATE HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY, THE LARGEST HFA IN THE NATION WITH A $25 BILLION PORTFOLIO OF MORTGAGES, DIRECTOR OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CORP, DIRECTOR OF THE PROJECT FINANCE AGENCY, A REPOSITORY OF FAILED STATE-BACKED LOANS, LEAD DIRECTOR OF ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORP., A QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY CONTROLLING THE 15,000 RESIDENT ISLAND AND FINALLY AS FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF GALES POINT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN BELIZE, CA. WHERE THE MANNIX FAMILY HAS MAINTAINED A RANCH FOR OVER 20 YEARS.