Based in Southern California, James P. Knell leads the SIMA umbrella of companies as chairman and oversees operations that include real estate acquisitions, property management, and the high-end Swell Athletic Clubs. Active in Santa Barbara real estate since the late 1970s, Jim Knell has pursued investments in diverse regions of the country, from the Southeast to the Pacific Northwest.

With holdings encompassing both retail and commercial assets, Mr. Knell has a particular focus on distressed properties with potential as rehabilitation projects in order to generate excellent long-term returns. He has also acquired a variety of residential properties in his Southern California community, with an emphasis on prudent and sustainable portfolio growth.

Mr. Knell typically engages with investment groups as principal within joint-venture partnerships that seek out opportunistic acquisitions. He has become well known as a workout/bankruptcy specialist who is able to navigate the complexities of large and extensive recapitalizations and make them work for all the parties involved.