Our Leadership
35 Years of Investing Experience
Over $1 Billion Investment Participation
Peter Kopsaftis
Founder & Chair Board of Directors
Mr. Peter Kopsaftis founded Blackwater Assets in 1984 as Paaris & Associates, Inc. Peter led Paaris & Associates (now Blackwater Assets) in the acquisition, development, management and sale of over $1 Billion in commercial, industrial, and residential real estate. Mr. Kopsaftis began with a primary focus in the development of affordable housing multi-family properties. He was one of the first to utilize financing provided by the City of Chicago through its Affordable Housing Program, Conventional Lending coupled with Community Development Block Grants to acquire, renovate and manage over 100 apartment buildings for the low and moderate income households in the city of Chicago’s most under privileged neighborhoods.
Peter continued to expand his scope of work to include commercial real estate financing. Paaris & Associates, Inc. as the parent company launched Global Capital, Inc. in 2000. Global Capital was a correspondent lender providing over $500 Million in commercial real estate and condominium conversion funding, in Miami, Charlotte, Chicago, and other cities throughout the Midwest. Peter sold Global Capital in 2010 to and east coast institutional lending company.
After the sale of Global Capital, and with the approval of the minority owners, which also make up the Firms Board of Directors, Peter transferred operations and investment stewardship of Paaris & Associates to his son Paaris. Peter continues to provide guidance and oversight to Blackwater Assets, serving as Chair of the Board of Directors. From his founding of Paaris & Associates, Inc. over three decades ago, to the current Blackwater Assets, his Firm has achieved investment success from a number of sectors. Mr. Kopsaftis continues to be an invaluable part of Blackwater Assets.
Mr. Kopsaftis is proud to have served as a Sergeant in the United States Army where he received his honorable discharge.
Peter currently serves as President of the Barrington Township Republican Organization and has been chosen as a delegate for President Trump in the 2020 Presidential Election.
Mr. Peter Kopsaftis holds the rank of Master of Postulants as a member of the Sovereign Order of The Knights Templar
Paaris Kopsaftis | Principal & Chief Investment Officer
Mr. Paaris Kopsaftis began his career in the financial services and financing industry in 2004 under the tutelage of his father as a Commercial Real Estate Investment Executive for Global Capital & Development Corp. Headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, with a primary focus in the investment and construction of luxury condominium buildings in Miami, FL. Paaris identified, invested and ultimately oversaw the construction and stabilization of 4 Florida developments totaling over $425,000,000.00. Global Capital yielded unprecedented returns on the capital investments it made on these projects. Mr. Kopsaftis was promoted and became the youngest Executive Vice President in the company’s history. After 6 years with the company, Paaris facilitated and oversaw the sale of Global Capital & Development Corp. to an East Coast based hedge fund.
Between 2010 and 2015, Paaris served as Business Development Officer Commercial Lending for Associated Bank. In this capacity Mr. Kopsaftis successfully funded millions of dollars in commercial real estate loans throughout the Midwest.
Concurrently and confidentially in 2010, the Ownership Board of Blackwater Assets approved Mr. Kopsaftis as its Chief Investment Officer. With the Firm now under his stewardship he implemented the Corporate Rebranding Initiative that transformed the company.
In 2015, Blackwater Assets made an equity purchase in G.P. Financial Services, Inc., a Wealth Management Firm based in Des Plaines, Illinois, which focuses on secure, principle guaranteed products, and has almost $5 billion in assets under management and estate plans. Paaris represents Blackwater's ownership interest in the GP Financial, as a Partner.
Two years later the Firm officially rebranded. With its first online web presence, and social-media platforms launching in 2020, Blackwater Assets now represents the Firms departure from the real estate centric investment model it operated under prior to Mr. Kopsaftis becoming its CIO.
Paaris Attended DePaul University and received a Bachelor’s in Finance and Political Science in 2006.
Mr. Paaris Kopsaftis holds the rank of Chevalier as a member of the Sovereign Order of The Knights Templar.