Executive Team
The NorthCourse® team has vast knowledge in leisure real estate, specifically a deep specialized knowledge of shared ownership and mixed-use properties in local markets around the world.
In contrast to other advisory firms, we believe that we have far more real-life hands-on experience - beyond consulting - in the critical functional areas that affect the success your project. Our team has held senior management positions within some of the world's leading hospitality, travel-related companies and real estate development companies.
This lets us analyze each assignment with a true insider's perspective, leading to recommendations that are far more thorough and insightful. We leave you with the tools and know-how to help you successfully navigate today's increasingly complex and uncertain development landscape.
To learn more about the NorthCourse team, we encourage you to read our executive bios:
Claude Attala
Global Managing Director
Claude brings an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of real estate development and tourism to his role as Global Managing Director. Prior to NorthCourse, Claude served as Head of Planning and Operations at the Qatar Tourism Authority, where he developed the licensing framework for the hospitality sector and drafting the classification systems for hotels and tour operators. He was also head of the business development team, advising potential investors and developers with tourism-related projects in Qatar.
Claude has held senior level sales and marketing roles with Rezidor SAS, Intercontinental Hotels, Meridien Hotels and Resorts and Sheraton. Italian by nationality, Claude is fluent in English, French and Italian and holds a Bachelors' degree in Business Administration from Schiller University in Strasbourg, France.
Wallace M. Hobson
Managing Director, Advisory Services, Americas
Wally oversees all advisory services in North, Central and South America, the Caribbean and South Pacific. One of the world's foremost experts in fractional real estate, he has advised developers in planning and implementing 60+ fractional residence clubs in North, Central and South America, Europe, South Pacific, the Caribbean and New Zealand.
A longtime innovator in the leisure real estate industry with over 30 years of experience, Wally counsels clients on all aspects of development, from strategic planning, market and financial analysis, project management and program development to sales and marketing, financing and investor relations.
Wally founded Hobson Real Estate Advisors, a preeminent real estate consulting and development advisory firm, where he served as President until 2006, when his firm joined NorthCourse.
He has authored numerous industry studies and articles, and frequently speaks at major industry conferences in the US and around the world.
Wally holds a B.S. from the University of Oregon and received an MBA from Portland State University.
Jennifer Iler
Director, Advisory Services, Americas
A seasoned advisor in the fractional real estate industry, Jennifer applies her diverse and extensive background to counseling clients on the best ways to build and manage fractional residence clubs and hybrid developments, including site evaluations, strategic planning, sales and marketing and overall operations. She has completed more than 50 feasibility studies for private residence clubs in locations throughout the US and abroad, including Hawaii, Canada, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and Mexico.
Jennifer was Senior Associate at Hobson Real Estate Advisors, a preeminent real estate consultancy specializing in the fractional ownership industry, before the firm joined NorthCourse in late 2006.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and has completed numerous courses in Market Research Management and Database Development.
Rodrigo Tsutsumi
Manager, Advisory Services, Americas
rodrigo.tsutsumi@northcourse.com
Rodrigo provides advisory services on fractional and whole ownership developments and hotel and resort projects. He gained strong firsthand experience in the hospitality industry during his 10 years at the Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, serving in a variety of management roles, including Revenue Manager and Rooms Manager.
Rodrigo holds a B.S. from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. He was awarded Manager of the Quarter and Manager of the Year by Hyatt Regency Miami.
Our team's expertise is grounded in rigorous first-hand industry experience.