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Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Tom Sullivan Jr. of Sullivan Construction. www.sullivanconstruction.com Tom talks about how he enjoys learning from others and contributing where I can, whether through experience, lessons learned, or simply asking the right questions. Being on a podcast feels like sitting down at a table with others who care, and that’s always worth doing.

Volunteer activities: Board member of Meals on Wheels;
Board Member of the Mary and John Elliot Charitable Foundation (Elliot Hospital); board member of Associated Builders and Contractors of NH/VT, Board Member of the Business & Industry Association

On the personal side, getting married this past fall! On the business side, rising to the role of president for Sullivan Construction this January.

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Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Edd Hamzanlui of MassCan Capital. Edd is the founder and principal of MassCan Capital, a mission-driven real estate development firm focused on middle-income and workforce housing across Massachusetts. Over the past two decades, I’ve worked across real estate finance, architecture, construction, and development—having underwritten and managed over $4.3 billion in affordable and mixed-income housing projects nationally.

At MassCan, I’m currently leading several high-impact housing developments in Gateway Cities, including the adaptive reuse of a historic mill into 89 residential units in Fall River, and new affordable homeownership projects in Lawrence. My work blends creative deal structuring with public subsidy programs like Historic Tax Credits, HDIP, and MassHousing's CommonWealth Builder to bring supply online where it’s needed most.

I hold an MBA from Chicago Booth and two graduate degrees in construction management and architecture. I’m passionate about building attainable housing and reshaping development patterns to support inclusive growth in our cities.

I love to talk about the real challenges and opportunities in creating housing that working families can actually afford—especially in Gateway Cities. We can dive into how public incentives like Historic Tax Credits, HDIP, and the CommonWealth Builder program can unlock complex deals, the importance of zoning reform to enable more supply, and how developers can balance mission and margin. I’d also like to share real stories from projects I’m leading—what’s worked, what’s surprised me, and what local leaders and investors need to know to move the needle on housing.

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Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Matt Combs of Erland Construction www.erland.com . Matt joined Erland in 2011 after graduating from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Engineering. I began my career in our Connecticut office, where I had the opportunity to work on two large mixed-use developments and a residential high-rise project. In 2016, I relocated to our corporate headquarters in Burlington, Massachusetts. Today, I serve as the Manager of Erland’s Advanced Technology/Life Sciences Group, where I oversee several active projects and have had the privilege of building long-standing partnerships with clients like EMD Serono. Earlier this year, I married my longtime partner, Lauren, and in my free time, I enjoy taking on home improvement projects—especially anything involving carpentry.

I’d like to use this opportunity to discuss the importance of strategic campus planning for corporate clients, with a focus on topics like master planning, long-term growth strategies, and the execution of capital projects. These types of initiatives are complex and often evolve over time, so having the right construction partner involved early in the process can make a significant difference. By engaging Erland during the planning stages, we’re able to offer valuable insights on feasibility, budgeting, phasing, and constructability—ultimately helping clients make more informed decisions that align with both their short-term needs and long-term vision. Our proactive approach not only reduces risk and unexpected costs but also ensures smoother project execution and better outcomes across the board.