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David Furgal and Brian Cheripka
Starfield Cos.

Under the leadership of founders and Principals Furgal and Cheripka, Starfield Cos. provides services related to development and construction, asset management, operations and property dispositions. They like to say that where other developers see impossibilities, Starfield sees opportunities.

The firm was formed by the merger of iStar and Safehold and the creation of Star Holdings (the parent company of iStar Residential). Starfield was established in part to help complete iStar Residential’s redevelopment efforts.

Previously, Cheripka served as senior vice president of Land & Development at iStar for over a decade, responsible for oversight and strategic direction for one of the most ambitious urban-revival initiatives in the U.S.: transforming the struggling Asbury Park waterfront into a burgeoning destination to live, work, visit and invest. Under Cheripka’s leadership, the billion-dollar redevelopment effort, which grew to span more than 35 acres, includes notable hotel and residential projects. Furgal served as vice president of land & development at iStar working directly with Cheripka on the Asbury Park redevelopment project, with oversight of development projects.

Sal Garcia
MAS Development Group

Garcia is founder and principal of MAS Development Group, a vertically integrated real estate company focused on urban redevelopment. His commitment to the community, firm ethical stance and resolve for success has contributed to the continued growth of MÁS from its origins as a construction company to its position today as a full-service real estate organization with in-house development, construction, property management and financing capabilities for large-scale, mixed-use development projects.

A son of Cuban refugees who settled in Elizabeth, Garcia is passionate about revitalizing the region’s urban centers with forward-thinking development, according to the firm. He began by purchasing multifamily residential buildings in Elizabeth’s rougher neighborhoods with the goal of reinvesting in his community. He quickly earned a reputation for his willingness to take on projects that others deemed too challenging, purchasing dilapidated real estate and successfully repositioning them to become cash-positive properties that enhanced the neighborhood.

The company has since expanded into the commercial and mixed-use sectors, developing build-to-suit, triple-net-lease properties for the nation’s leading retailers, and more recently, ground-up luxury apartment communities that incorporate full-service lifestyle amenities and integrated retail offerings. MAS was the 2025 recipient of NAIOP’s Deal of the Year.

David Gardner
Larken Associates

Gardner leads Branchburg-based Larken Associates as president and CEO. Throughout his tenure at the helm, Gardner has transformed the small family business into a regional powerhouse. In fact, the integrated real estate developer, owner and operator celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025.

Over a nearly 4 million-square-foot portfolio, Larken Associates houses 1,000 commercial tenants (across office, industrial, retail and mixed-use). Feeding demand for industrial space in the central/westward moving part of the state, Larken recently announced it would – again – expand its Flemington Junction Business Center banner. After reaching capacity on centers I and II, 150,000 square feet and 50,000 square feet, respectively, the latest will add more than 70,000 square feet of flexible industrial space.

On the residential side, Larken’s multifamily footprint encompasses about 3,000 owned and managed units. With 20 communities spread across the Garden State, as well as in Pennsylvania, that figure stands to grow, yet. Larken currently has another 1,500 apartments in its development pipeline.

This year, Gardner was recognized as an NJBIZ ICON. “Every day, I take immense pride in watching our residential and commercial properties bring people together and contribute to vibrant, thriving neighborhoods,” he said.

Aisha Glover
Audible

As global head of urban innovation at Audible, Glover is responsible for leading global impact investments and initiatives for the Newark-based storytelling giant. Basically, if it’s cool, building community, from Audible and taking root in the tech company’s hometown, Glover likely guided the effort.

She joined in 2020 as vice president of urban innovation.  Beyond the innovative programs introduced and fostered in the Brick City, Glover also provides those services to serving youth and creators in cities worldwide where the business operates. She brings local experitse as well as economic development authority to her position. Before Audible, Glover served as president and CEO of Invest Newark, as well as president and CEO of Newark Alliance. Before crossing the Hudson, she was vice president of external affairs at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp.

The Pillars is a 15,000-square-foot retail hub supporting independent operators that are also invested in the city. In addition to providing the updated street-level retail space, the hub will ultimately house four businesses, complimentary Audible listening stations and central space to gather.

Adam Gordon
Fair Share Housing Center

Gordon leads Fair Share Housing Center as executive director, providing coordinated strategy for organizing, litigation and policy development to advance racial, economic and social integration in the Garden State, as well as across the country. He joined the organization in 2006.

Founded in the wake of the landmark Mount Laural ruling, nonprofit advocacy organization Fair Share works to undo racial and economic discrimination. Since its start in 1975, it has continued to defend the Mount Laural doctrine.  According to FSHC, under Mount Laurel 70,000 residences have been added in historically exclusionary communities. Now entering round four, a record 423 towns adopted and filed their plans this summer. The latest calls for approximately 150,000 units to address present and prospective needs statewide.

Among his successes, Gordon litigated the largest federal fair housing case in U.S. history, securing a $305 million fund to accelerate affordable housing development. He also aided passage of the first statewide act to limit discriminatory tenant screen policies.

“I am inspired by how we ensure that our work does not stop at legal or policy victories, but instead follows through to make sure homes get built, laws get enforced, and people’s lives actually change,” Gordon said.

John Gordy
Blue Hen Capital

As founder of Blue Hen Capital, Gordy has built a business serving a range of enterprises, including small operators, real estate developers and investors. Mount Holly-based Blue Hen aims to simplify the commercial lending process. The financial advisory firm says it has closed more than $250 million in transactions, including Gordy’s prior experience.

Gordy also previously co-founded All Commercial Capital. His expertise spans commercial financing, such as agency-backed programs like Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, HUD and CMBS; as well as construction, multifamily, blanket loans, land, bridge, hard money, mezzanine and preferred equity financing. In addition to secondary market lending, Gordy boasts a strong national and regional network of commercial banking partners.

With small business owners, Gordy offers assistance with SBA loans, Commercial & Industrial loans, equipment financing and working capital. According to those he works with, though, it is Gordy’s personal touch that sets his work apart – building relationships and treating clients like partners to understand context as well as goals. Clients often describe him as approachable, solutions-oriented and tireless in his advocacy. “Every project tells a story,” Gordy says. “Our job is to understand that story …”

David and Frank Greek
Greek Real Estate Partners

Having rebranded to Greek Real Estate Partners in 2023, GREP dates all the way back to 1938. Today, the family-owned third-generation business is a vertically integrated industrial development, investment, operations and acquisition company.

Frank Greek founded Greek Development in 1965 with a team of three. Under his direction, the company delivered more than 30 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space.  Now, along with Managing Partner David Greek, the business has exploded recently. David Greek leads strategic direction and expansion. His work has taken GREP from a regional developer to a fully integrated and operating platform.

GREP currently manages more than 22 million square feet of operating assets. Among its most notable capital partnerships and large-scale industrial projects is the 4.1 million square foot Linden Logistics Center. Outside of GREP, Frank Greek is recognized for his civic commitment, including helping to redevelop underused sites. David Greek, meanwhile, also helps to promote the industry as chair of Circulate NJ. That includes highlighting the benefits the sprawling logistics industry brings to the state.

Samer Hanini
Hanini Group

Managing partner at Newark-based Hanini Group, Hanini leads a real estate development firm that specializes in sustainable urban development and historic restoration. Hanini Group’s work covers residential, retail, commercial and corporate property development, as well as design and comprehensive property management. Since acquiring its first property in Newark in 2024, the firm says its track record now includes more than $700 million in development projects.

Among them is the Hahne and Co. building redevelopment. The $174 million public-private venture features housing, retail (including the city’s first Whole Foods Market) and office space.

Last year, the NJEDA approved a mixed-use development Hanini Group is involved with for $74 million in tax credits under the Aspire program. The transit-oriented development would rise with 207 units. In addition to his role at Hanini Group, the leader is a trustee of NAIOP New Jersey and board member at Newark Arts, according to his LinkedIn profile. In 2024, Hanini was named a New Jersey finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

Jon and James Hanson II
The Hampshire Cos.

Jon Hanson has wielded power in New Jersey CRE – and beyond – for decades. And a lot of that stems from his position as founder and chairman at The Hampshire Cos. He currently also serves as chairman of the New Jersey Hall of Fame and of Atlantic City Development Corp. (AC DEVCO). Additionally, he is a director of Yankee Global Enterprises.

James Hanson II represents the second generation of Hanson family leadership at the Morristown-based business. He has over 40 years of real estate investment management and operational experience. He has helped drive the firm’s ongoing evolution, allowing it to continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive commercial real estate sector. He also serves as a council member of the New Jersey State Investment Council, president of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and as a member of the board of directors of Provident Bank.

Both Jon and James are part of a family synonymous with the sector, boasting over a century of experience in New Jersey.

William Hanson
NAI James E. Hanson

Hanson has guided NAI James E. Hanson’s growth for 40 years, helping to build the company into the largest independent full-service commercial real estate services firm in New Jersey.

At the start of 2025, NAI Hanson grew significantly, following the acquisition of The Garibaldi Group and NAI Summit. The additions brought Teterboro-based NAI James E. Hanson’s headcount to more than 100, with over 10 million square feet of properties under management. Hanson guided the strategic move to add TGG, a full-service commercial real estate firm with more than 100 years of experience, and NAI Summit, a premier full-service firm serving eastern Pennsylvania. In addition to strengthening its geographic reach, the move reinforced the company’s expertise in important asset classes.

But that growth has not put a damper on company culture. Hanson runs a workplace that is regularly recognized for being one of the best. This year, the company ranked No. 5 on the NJBIZ Best Places to Work in New Jersey list – a recognition determined by feedback from employees. In addition to appearing on the BPTW ranking in 2024, NAI Hanson also took home the Family Business of the Year award at the NJBIZ Business of the Year honors.

Matthew Harding
Levin Management Corp.

In addition to leading Levin Management Corp., CEO Harding is often called upon to provide insights into the evolving retail industry amid economic shifts, customer trends and collective shopping occasions, such as back to school or for the holidays.

At LMC, Harding has spearheaded a significant period of growth. The full-service commercial real estate services firm’s 125 properties with approximately 1,100 tenants and more than 16 million square feet of retail, office and industrial space span five states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Virginia). With more than 30 years’ experience, Harding’s affiliation with Levin dates to 1986. He officially joined the team in 1996 as senior vice president/deputy chief operating officer.

Lately, LMC has been busy reinvesting in its properties, and to much success. A multimillion-dollar redevelopment at grocery-anchored Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung, for example, helped to recently attract Burlington and Taco Bell, along with the relocation of current tenant Marshalls. Other new and upcoming occupants include Five Below, Planet Fitness and a brand-new ShopRite. In the first half of the year, Levin says it completed 68 transactions totaling 570,000 square feet.

Joe Jingoli
Jingoli

As CEO and chairman of the board at Jingoli, the namesake leader guides a nationally ranked contractor and construction management company with more than 100 years of experience. The fifth-generation family business serves sectors including power, industrial, health care, gaming and educational customers across the private and public.

Among its recent projects are two high-profile New Brunswick developments, H1 at New Jersey Health + Life Science Exchange, or Helix NJ, which topped off last fall; and the recently opened Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, parking garage and central utility plant. Upon completion, the overall Helix project is expected to produce about $880 million in annual economic activity in New Jersey and support approximately 4,500 jobs.

In October 2024, the New Jersey Alliance for Action honored Jingoli with the Richard Hale Chairman’s Award at the 50th Annual Eagle Awards Breakfast Celebration Gala. The award celebrated Jingoli’s leadership in advancing infrastructure development, driving economic growth and building partnerships in the communities the company he leads serves.

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