Development Team
The Seaport San Diego development team is comprised of a core group of experienced professionals.
Yehudi "Gaf" Gaffen, CEO
Leadership and Vision
CEO of Protea Waterfront Development, Gaf provides the leadership and direction for strategy and execution of the Seaport San Diego Project. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He immigrated to San Diego in 1979, where he worked in real estate development, including eight years from Sunroad Enterprises, at which his last project was the complete of the Sunroad Marina on Harbor island. In 1987, Gaf formed Gafcon Inc. to fulfill his vision of assisting owners in delivering complex projects that support vibrant communities. Under his leadership, Gafcon has grown into one of Southern California's most respected construction consulting firms. View full bio
Leadership and Vision
CEO of Protea Waterfront Development, Gaf provides the leadership and direction for strategy and execution of the Seaport San Diego Project. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He immigrated to San Diego in 1979, where he worked in real estate development, including eight years from Sunroad Enterprises, at which his last project was the complete of the Sunroad Marina on Harbor island. In 1987, Gaf formed Gafcon Inc. to fulfill his vision of assisting owners in delivering complex projects that support vibrant communities. Under his leadership, Gafcon has grown into one of Southern California's most respected construction consulting firms. View full bio
Clinton Fowler
Development and Construction
Clinton is responsible for guiding the overall development plan to bring the project to fruition. Prior to joining the Seaport team, Clinton managed development projects for Protea Properties, including the successful delivery of a 130,00 SF Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Kearny Mesa and a 127-unit mixed use development in National City. While working in a general contractor role, Clint managed a wide range of projects throughout the Western and Southeastern United States. Over the course of his career, Clinton has delivered over 3M SF of completed product.
Clinton graduated from the College of Engineering, Kansas State University, with a degree in Construction Science and Management.
Development and Construction
Clinton is responsible for guiding the overall development plan to bring the project to fruition. Prior to joining the Seaport team, Clinton managed development projects for Protea Properties, including the successful delivery of a 130,00 SF Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Kearny Mesa and a 127-unit mixed use development in National City. While working in a general contractor role, Clint managed a wide range of projects throughout the Western and Southeastern United States. Over the course of his career, Clinton has delivered over 3M SF of completed product.
Clinton graduated from the College of Engineering, Kansas State University, with a degree in Construction Science and Management.
Kathy Breedlove
Planning and Entitlements, Legal Counsel
Kathy Breedlove is a California-licensed attorney with a background in planning and entitlements. As Director of Planning, Kathy is responsible for guiding the project through the entitlement process, including environmental review and community outreach. Previously, Kathy managed the master plan process for the Hotel del Coronado, including approvals by the city of Coronado and the California Coastal Commission. While working with Protea Properties, she obtained the city of San Diego’s first SB 375 CEQA exemption for a transit-oriented mixed-use development in Bay Park.
Kathy holds a Bachelors Degree from Michigan State University, JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and a Masters of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego.
Planning and Entitlements, Legal Counsel
Kathy Breedlove is a California-licensed attorney with a background in planning and entitlements. As Director of Planning, Kathy is responsible for guiding the project through the entitlement process, including environmental review and community outreach. Previously, Kathy managed the master plan process for the Hotel del Coronado, including approvals by the city of Coronado and the California Coastal Commission. While working with Protea Properties, she obtained the city of San Diego’s first SB 375 CEQA exemption for a transit-oriented mixed-use development in Bay Park.
Kathy holds a Bachelors Degree from Michigan State University, JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and a Masters of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego.
Paul Gherini
Underwriting and Financial Analysis
A member of the Seaport team since inception of the project in 2016, Paul is responsible for economic analysis and financial feasibility. He has a deep understanding of financial analysis and has underwritten billions of dollars of complex developments, public-private partnerships, and joint ventures in all project types, and has been directly involved in acquiring and financing more than $2B in commercial projects.
Paul has a bachelor’s degree in business, Urban Studies and Planning, from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He serves on the Developing Leader Steering Committee for the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and as an instructor at the University of California, San Diego. As Faculty Advisor representing the UCSD team in the annual NAIOP University Challenge, Paul has led his team to victory in 2021 and 2023.
Underwriting and Financial Analysis
A member of the Seaport team since inception of the project in 2016, Paul is responsible for economic analysis and financial feasibility. He has a deep understanding of financial analysis and has underwritten billions of dollars of complex developments, public-private partnerships, and joint ventures in all project types, and has been directly involved in acquiring and financing more than $2B in commercial projects.
Paul has a bachelor’s degree in business, Urban Studies and Planning, from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He serves on the Developing Leader Steering Committee for the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and as an instructor at the University of California, San Diego. As Faculty Advisor representing the UCSD team in the annual NAIOP University Challenge, Paul has led his team to victory in 2021 and 2023.
Core Consultants
Architecture, Design & Engineering
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction and Project Management
|
|
|
|
Community Engagement and Media
Financial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partners
C1HWY1, LLC is led by three founding partners and long-time San Diegans: Yehudi "Gaf" Gaffen, Jeffrey Essakow and Jeff Jacobs. Together, they form Protea Waterfront Development, LLC, the managing member of 1HWY1, LLC.
Yehudi "Gaf" Gaffen, CEO
CEO of Protea Waterfront Development, Gaf provides the leadership and direction for strategy and execution of the Seaport San Diego Project. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He immigrated to San Diego in 1979, where he worked in real estate development, including eight years from Sunroad Enterprises, at which his last project was the complete of the Sunroad Marina on Harbor island. In 1987, Gaf formed Gafcon Inc. to fulfill his vision of assisting owners in delivering complex projects that support vibrant communities. Under his leadership, Gafcon has grown into one of Southern California's most respected construction consulting firms. View full bio
CEO of Protea Waterfront Development, Gaf provides the leadership and direction for strategy and execution of the Seaport San Diego Project. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He immigrated to San Diego in 1979, where he worked in real estate development, including eight years from Sunroad Enterprises, at which his last project was the complete of the Sunroad Marina on Harbor island. In 1987, Gaf formed Gafcon Inc. to fulfill his vision of assisting owners in delivering complex projects that support vibrant communities. Under his leadership, Gafcon has grown into one of Southern California's most respected construction consulting firms. View full bio
Jeff "JJ" Jacobs, Partner
Jeff Jacobs is a proud San Diegan, having moved here with his family in 1966. Jeff graduated in 1988 from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in international economics. He then began his professional life as Qualcomm's 32nd employee. During Jeff's tenure, Qualcomm rose from a small privately held company to one of the top 50 valued companies in the world and San Diego's largest private employer. Over his 22-year career at Qualcomm, Jeff rose through the ranks to become Chief Marketing Officer and an executive officer of the company.
View full bio
Jeff Jacobs is a proud San Diegan, having moved here with his family in 1966. Jeff graduated in 1988 from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in international economics. He then began his professional life as Qualcomm's 32nd employee. During Jeff's tenure, Qualcomm rose from a small privately held company to one of the top 50 valued companies in the world and San Diego's largest private employer. Over his 22-year career at Qualcomm, Jeff rose through the ranks to become Chief Marketing Officer and an executive officer of the company.
View full bio
Jeffrey Essakow, Partner
Jeffrey has served as Chairman of the Board and President of Protea Properties since its inception in 1997. Since its founding, Jeffrey and his partner Yehudi Gaffen have been responsible for developing over $600M of commercial projects, with 1.3M SF under management. Protea’s portfolio includes retail, office, industrial, multi-family and mixed-use properties. Recent Protea projects include the development and management of the $120M Veterans Administration Clinic in Kearny Mesa, providing care for up to 600 patients daily; along with the development and management of a 127-unit mixed use development in National City. Protea also lead the successful repositioning of Flower Hill Promenade in Del Mar. Jeffrey is also a partner with the Jacobs Family in the Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, named the #1 Best Resort in California, #4 Best in the United States, and #37 in the world. View full bio
Jeffrey has served as Chairman of the Board and President of Protea Properties since its inception in 1997. Since its founding, Jeffrey and his partner Yehudi Gaffen have been responsible for developing over $600M of commercial projects, with 1.3M SF under management. Protea’s portfolio includes retail, office, industrial, multi-family and mixed-use properties. Recent Protea projects include the development and management of the $120M Veterans Administration Clinic in Kearny Mesa, providing care for up to 600 patients daily; along with the development and management of a 127-unit mixed use development in National City. Protea also lead the successful repositioning of Flower Hill Promenade in Del Mar. Jeffrey is also a partner with the Jacobs Family in the Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, named the #1 Best Resort in California, #4 Best in the United States, and #37 in the world. View full bio
Other 1HWY1, LLC Partners
OdySea
www.odyseaaquarium.com
OdySea is a premier entertainment company that develops live nature attractions as well as retail and restaurant centers that cater to experiential shopping and dining. Its diversified portfolio includes an array of nature-centered experiences from aquariums to butterfly pavilions, as well as mirror and laser mazes and commercial real estate. Select experience includes the Newport Aquarium located in Newport, Kentucky; OdySea Aquarium: An Oceanic Adventure along with Butterfly Wonderland: A Rainforest Experience, both in Scottsdale, Arizona; and The OdySea Experience at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.
RCI Group
www.rci-group.com
RCI developments include the best of water and land-based destinations. Throughout its fifty years of operation, the RCI Group boasts a long and rich history of developing and managing residential, commercial and marine properties. Whether developing new or realigning existing, non-performing properties, RCI’s developments have a long track record of successfully thriving in their communities and becoming sought after destinations. Projects include Boston Yacht Haven, Bahia Mar Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale and Bridgeport Boatworks.
Bean Realty Partners
Bean Realty Partners, L.P. is an affiliate of Oldacre McDonald—a full-service real estate firm, specializing in the development of shopping centers and build-to-suit retail, restaurant, and office projects across the United States. For more information, visit oldacremcdonald.com
www.odyseaaquarium.com
OdySea is a premier entertainment company that develops live nature attractions as well as retail and restaurant centers that cater to experiential shopping and dining. Its diversified portfolio includes an array of nature-centered experiences from aquariums to butterfly pavilions, as well as mirror and laser mazes and commercial real estate. Select experience includes the Newport Aquarium located in Newport, Kentucky; OdySea Aquarium: An Oceanic Adventure along with Butterfly Wonderland: A Rainforest Experience, both in Scottsdale, Arizona; and The OdySea Experience at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.
RCI Group
www.rci-group.com
RCI developments include the best of water and land-based destinations. Throughout its fifty years of operation, the RCI Group boasts a long and rich history of developing and managing residential, commercial and marine properties. Whether developing new or realigning existing, non-performing properties, RCI’s developments have a long track record of successfully thriving in their communities and becoming sought after destinations. Projects include Boston Yacht Haven, Bahia Mar Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale and Bridgeport Boatworks.
Bean Realty Partners
Bean Realty Partners, L.P. is an affiliate of Oldacre McDonald—a full-service real estate firm, specializing in the development of shopping centers and build-to-suit retail, restaurant, and office projects across the United States. For more information, visit oldacremcdonald.com
Project Partners
1HWY1, LLC is proud to partner with the following organizations:
|
|
|
|
Stay Informed
Be a part of this exciting vision for the future of San Diego’s Bayfront. Sign up below for news and updates on Seaport San Diego.
