President Donald J. Trump recently announced his intent to nominate Pasadena resident Bob Kohorst to be ambassador to Croatia, according to a news release from the White House.
Kohorst, who was among 11 ambassador nominees on Sept. 5, has expertise in law, real estate and finance. In 1994, he founded Pasadena-based Everest Properties, a company that purchases and operates apartment, self-storage and retail properties throughout the United States. Its portofolio is estimated to be worth more than $500 million.
Ambassador appointments must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Of 188 U.S. ambassadorships, 78 posts are currently unfilled, with 28 nominees awaiting confirmation, according to the American Foreign Service Association.
Since 1998, Everest Storage has focused on acquiring and developing self-storage properties in locations including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida and Toronto, according to the company’s website. Starting in 2002, Everest Residential has acquired interests in 46 multifamily properties throughout the nation, 278 of which remain in the company’s portfolio.
Kohorst also has contributed to a range of public service organizations and educational institutions, including serving as director and chairman of the Young Presidents’ Organization (San Gabriel Valley Chapter), regent of Loyola Marymount University, trustee of La Salle High School and president of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Boy Scouts.
Kohorst earned juris doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School and a bachelor’s of science from the University of Dayton. From 1984-90, he served as president of the Private Placement Group for self-storage real estate investment trust Public Storage. In 1990, he became CEO and principal at Masquerade International, which makes Halloween costumes, and Tiger Shark Golf, a manufacturer of golf equipment. In 1991, he co-founded real estate investment firm KH Financial, which preceded Everest.
