Cliff has over two decades of experience as a strategic, financial and legal advisor for a variety of global companies — and real estate has been an ever- present theme. At his first job at Marubeni, Tokyo, one of Japan’s major trading companies, he analyzed real estate investments in North America. With a degree in Government from Dartmouth and a Law degree from Columbia, (he is an attorney-at-law admitted in NY) Cliff also spent many years advising on international M&A and overseeing cross border transactions at Tokyo firms like Shearman & Sterling and Citigroup. For the last few years he’s been focused on renewable energy, as a principal in a handful of companies that advise on the sourcing, evaluating and executing of solar and other renewable energy investments and projects in Japan. Career wise, has now come full circle with his Vicus partnership — he is tying together his roots in NY with his newer Japanese home.

Though he is a native New Yorker his passion for Japan began at just 11 years old. His vast experience in managing Japanese and multi-cultural teams as well as advising both Japanese and international clients have helped him develop strong networks in the Tokyo community in a variety of industries.

All his passions finally came together— the outdoors, great food and snow sports — when he became the principal investor and proprietor of the Niseko Freedom Inn in 2008. For more about Cliff’s unique take on traveling and cross-cultural experience, check out his TEDX talk on the origin of destinations.