Omar Blaik is the President and CEO of U3Ventures, LLC a real estate and advisory firm solely focused on developing the university market. Mr. Blaik founded U3 Ventures in 2006 with the belief that anchor institutions hold the key to sustainable community and economic development in many cities across the country. Early in 2007 U3 Ventures, LLC secured a $15 million Fund to invest in its development strategy. Since then, the Fund was deployed in Center City area of Philadelphia in close proximity to many university campuses and hospitals. Mr. Blaik has also led the advisory efforts of U3 Ventures over the past three years working with University leaders, Cities and Municipalities, State governments and Foundations. The advisory work focused on institutional strategy, campus edge planning, deploying economic activity for local benefits, real estate strategy and economic feasibility. Prior to forming U3 Ventures, Mr. Blaik was the Senior Vice President at the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the University in January 1997, and served as the Chief Planning and Real Estate Officer, with responsibility for Planning, Design and Construction, Facilities Operations and Maintenance, Utilities management, and Real Estate Development. His responsibility spanned the management of 14 million square feet of space, $400 million of operating and capital budget and 1,000 employees.
During his tenure at Penn, Mr. Blaik has led the effort to enhance the quality of life on campus and in the neighborhood by creating a vibrant and engaging environment in which students, faculty, and staff can learn, live, work, and play. Under his management, Penn embarked on more than $2.0 billion of construction and real estate development transforming both campus and the surrounding community. These efforts have been recognized with prestigious awards. Penn has received the 2003 Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence for the West Philadelphia Initiatives, and 2001 and 2002 Business Week/AIA Award – Good Design is Good Business. In addition he directed a comprehensive energy conservation strategy that saved millions of dollars and won the 2002 EPA and Governor’s Awards for Environmental Efficiency. Under his direction Penn by the year 2006, has completed the largest purchase of wind energy by any university in the nation representing more than 20% of its annual usage.
Mr. Blaik came to Penn from Coopers and Lybrand, were he led a team of consultants providing advisory services to Presidents, CEO’s, and Executive Vice Presidents in the areas of facilities planning, real estate, and capital programs to corporate and institutional clients.
Mr. Blaik received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cairo University, his Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Southern California, and his MBA from New York University, Leonard Stern School of Business.
Mr. Blaik is nationally recognized speaker who regularly address the Urban Land Institute, American Association of Higher Education, National Association of College and University Business Officers. He currently is a member of CEOs for Cities and the Institute for Urban Design.