Ms. Hovdestad is responsible for assisting the company with review and support of corporate documents and transactions. This includes insurance review and processing as well as additional support for corporate entity structures, entity compliance and providing additional document review and support. In addition, Ms. Hovdestad acts as a consultant to the company on contract/insurance/corporate issues as well as providing additional support/review of any existing or future real estate related investments. Ms. Hovdestad also serves as Senior Vice President of Transaction Management for Shopoff Realty Investments. She has more than 37 years of experience in the real estate industry, including 31 years as an escrow officer and transactions manager, and has successfully closed more than 10,000 real estate transactions throughout her career.
Mr. Pladson has a degree in engineering and has spent his professional career in many entrepreneurial endeavors. Mr. Pladson in conjunction with Mr. Dahlin sold MBard to Holland Co. in 2002. Mr. Pladson also worked at WestCon earlier in his career. Mr. Pladson, located in Fargo, also oversees the transportation business of GMHR in addition to supporting the landfill business. As GMHR's General Manager, Mr. Pladson heads up all the businesses of GMHR and has a long-standing relationship with Burlington Northern.
Mr. Shopoff is responsible for the business direction of the Company, including designing the appropriate capital structure for the Company. Mr. Shopoff utilizes relationships with capital partners, potential vendors, and customers to optimize the growth of the Company. He is involved in negotiation of key contracts and providing overall vision for the firm. Mr. Shopoff has 45 years of investment experience, including over 32 years as founder and CEO of Shopoff Realty Investments ("SRI"), a position that he holds concurrently with his positions with the Company, a national real estate firm with more than $11 billion in transaction experience by its managers. Mr. Shopoff is also the Chairman of international biofuel company, Vertimass. Additionally, he holds FINRA Series 22, 24, 62, and 63 securities licenses and has a BS Biology and MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Texas.
Mr. Jepson will focus on new business development. He has over 40 years experience on enterprise start up and development with a focus on rail and agriculture. He has developed over $150m of mid-west grain export facilities as well as developed specialty crop and value added businesses. Today these businesses generate over $400m in annual revenue. Mr. Jepson maintains extensive industry relationships which will be leveraged to bring new projects to GMHR. Prior to these development activities he spent 15 years with three international fertilizer firms specializing in sales and management training. He holds a degree in economics from the University of Sioux Falls as well as numerous training certifications.
Mr. Jacobsen will be involved in development and finance. He was a vice president of Shearson Lehman Brothers Real Estate and Energy Divisions and held that position for 10 years. Upon leaving Shearson, Mr. Jacobsen has been involved in real estate developments totaling over one half billion dollars, in the western United States, and Mexico and remains active in those markets today. His relationships, developed over 40 years in land development, will provide ongoing opportunities for success at GMHR. Mr. Jacobsen held Series 63 and Series 7 licenses. He attended Iowa State University.