Akbar A. Lari

Claremont Group is headed by Akbar A. Lari, a New York University graduate holding both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Civil Engineering. His experience is equally divided between construction projects in Iran and real estate developments in the New York Metropolitan area.

As a principal of a group of construction firms he co-founded in the 1970's in Iran, Lari built large-scale industrial and residential projects. In 1978 alone, the Group, which employed over 5,000 men and completed $130 million in construction was seized and subsequently nationalized.

In 1979, Lari formed the Claremont Group in New York, which soon developed a number of successful real estate projects in the New York Metropolitan area. Projects varied from high-rise condominiums in New York City, to suburban office buildings.

During the 1990's, Lari diversified the group into hotel development, and office buildings, some of which were leased to the Federal Government.

Lari was awarded the 2003 Ellis Island Medal of Honor for outstanding citizenship, individual achievement, and encouragement of cultural unity. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor is sanctioned by the United States Congress. The medals were conceived to pay tribute to the immigrant experience and remarkable individual achievements.

Lari is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Affairs Councils of America, National Organization. WACA is a nationwide association of educational member organizations, which serves more than 80 communities across the United States.