Real estate expert takes reins
of land development program

Geoffrey John Booth is the incoming program coordinator of the Master of Science in Land Development program at Texas A&M’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, a position previously held by Atef Sharkway, who is retiring after 17 years on the College of Architecture faculty.

Prior to coming to Texas A&M, Booth served as senior fellow in sustainable development for Environmental Resources Management (ERM), an environmental consulting service. While at ERM, he advised for the Santee Cooper South Carolina Public Service Authority on the sustainable development of its extensive real estate portfolio and consulted the city of Alexandria, Va. on sustainable development and green building policy development and implementation. He also helped the city of Rockville, Md., formulate and implement a parks, recreation and open space plan and worked with the World Bank on Global City Indicators.

He came to the United States from Australia in 1999 to work for the Washington-based Urban Land Institute, where he became vice president of global development and spearheaded the organization’s expansion into Asia and Latin America and established a partnership with the World Bank.

In his 30-year career he has conceptualized, developed, financed, leased, managed and sold real estate projects and portfolios; run real estate joint venture companies and trusts; drafted, administered and defended public policy and legislative initiatives; provided leadership and direction to public, private and not-for-profit organizations; authored and edited a range of books, publications and opinion pieces; and has been a keynote speaker at conferences in Australia, Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

Born in Australia in 1957, he holds academic qualifications in urban planning, public administration, applied finance and investment.

- Posted: June 17, 2009-