The chairman of the SIMA group of companies, James P. Knell's financial experience dates back to his start as an independent investor in residential properties. After purchasing real estate in California, the Southeast, and the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s, James P. Knell established the SIMA Corporation in 1984 with the goal of further developing his assets.
To achieve this goal, Mr. Knell located distressed properties that had a good potential for rehabilitation and permanent ownership. Prudently expanding his residential and commercial base, he facilitated more than 30 recapitalizations as a workout and bankruptcy specialist.
James P. Knell led SIMA through a growth period that led to the company organizing into four entities: the parent corporation, which handled acquisitions; SIMA Management Corporation for the daily operations of properties; SIMA Hospitality; and Swell Athletic Clubs in Santa Barbara and Cathedral Oaks. The company offers a one-stop experience for clients, with a management team providing strategic planning for acquisitions on a sound footing. Steadily growing, SIMA now has more than $400 million in assets, including 2,300 apartment and hotel units.
