Karim Alibhai

Founder & Principal, Gencom, Miami

Gencom is an international investment firm with nearly $8 billion in assets under management, including 23 owned assets in operation or under development with over 7,000 hotel rooms around the world. Founded by Alibhai almost 40 years ago, some of the firm’s notable projects include Miami’s Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne and the upcoming Miami Riverbridge. Today, the firm has 40 employees at its Miami headquarters, in addition to on-site representatives at key projects. It works with flagship brands such as the Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Four Seasons, Hyatt, Rosewood, Fairmont, Auberge Resorts and many more.

EDUCATION: Rice University (BA)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: (I would) increase funding toward building more public and private schools. To maintain the momentum of people and their families moving to South Florida and across the state, we need to ensure that the proper infrastructure for K-12 education is in place for year-round, prolonged residency here.

MENTOR: My uncle Bahadur, who was a wealth of knowledge on hotel development and other sectors. He instilled in me several life lessons, including a nothing-ventured, nothing-gained approach; never taking no as the final answer; the importance of due diligence with deals; and how being honest goes a long way. He passed away this January, but what he taught me will have a lasting effect throughout my lifetime.

READING: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is a book I always reference. You can’t change the past, and you can’t control the future. All you can do is live in the moment and focus on what’s at hand.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED
“It’s vital to find moments of levity and humor. Don’t take yourself too seriously in life or business. Find time to laugh with your friends, family and team.”