Emaar Dubai appoints Richard Rodriguez as CEO

Dubai, UAE, September 17, 2007: Emaar Properties has appointed Richard Rodriguez as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Emaar Dubai. The move follows Emaar’s efforts to further enhance the quality, cost-efficiency and deliverability of developments in the UAE. Mr Rodriguez will report to Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, UAE Managing Director, Emaar Properties. 

Mr Rodriguez joins Emaar from John Laing Homes, an Emaar subsidiary and the second largest private home-builder in the United States. Mr Rodriguez served as Senior Vice President of Operations at John Laing Homes, and his efforts there were instrumental in maintaining the company’s national ‘Number One’ Customer Satisfaction ranking.

“The transfer of Richard, currently associated with our operations in the United States, John Laing Homes, represents a key strategic exchange of management expertise within Emaar,” said Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties. “Richard’s extensive experience across the construction and development industries will bring an abundant wealth of knowledge and expertise to Emaar’s operations in Dubai and beyond. His presence will further improve our commitment to offering the highest quality product we can.” 

“Emaar is not only redefining the real estate landscape in Dubai through its world-class developments like Downtown Burj Dubai and Dubai Marina, but it is also changing the face of development and construction. I am proud to play a leading role in Emaar Dubai’s projects,” said Mr Rodriguez.

Mr Rodriguez began his career at Zaring Homes Inc, a leading U.S. builder. He then joined Arvida Inc, a former building arm of Disney, where he served as Vice President of Operations for South Florida. During his stint at Arvida Inc, he led the completion of the WESTON project, a master-planned community of 17,000 homes, 12 schools, hospitals, a 36-hole golf course, and over one million commercial sq ft. Mr Rodriguez also worked with Centex, America’s second largest builder, where he proved his management capabilities by initiating cycle time reductions, business expansion and consumer satisfaction process changes.

Mr Rodriguez has a Masters in Business Administration from Xavier University in Ohio, and a Bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Despite the recent downturn in the American housing market, he proved vital in maintaining the highest building quality standards while ensuring continued increases in returns and profits for John Laing Homes.