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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.

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Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interview with Neil Cohen of Barsh and Cohen P.C.. www.barsh-cohen.com

Neil Cohen, Managing Partner and President of Barsh and Cohen, P.C. I’ve had the privilege of leading this firm through a period of growth and modernization while staying true to its deep family roots and client-first values. My background as a collegiate athlete taught me discipline, strategy, and teamwork—principles I apply daily in my legal practice and in leading our team.
Barsh and Cohen has grown to serve clients across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and nationally for title and equity lending services. We’ve built long-standing relationships with banks, mortgage lenders, developers, and title companies by consistently delivering both legal excellence and personal attention. Some accomplishments include:
- Over the past year, I have led several complex and high-stakes real estate matters that underscore my exceptional capabilities and impact. Among them is The Alice, a high-profile mixed-use development at 203 Lowell Street in Wilmington, Massachusetts. I served as lead counsel to the owner during the acquisition, title work, and construction financing.
- I also distinguished myself in a significant Land Court matter before the Chief Justice and Chief Title Examiner of the Massachusetts Land Court. The case involved the reformation of a certificate of title and the certification of assignments and foreclosure documents at the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds.
- In another standout engagement, I acted as title counsel for a publicly traded, multi- state cannabis operator during a $62 million financing transaction. The deal spanned five properties across three states, requiring deep coordination between local title standards and lender requirements.

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Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Jen Smith of AT Work Collaborative. Jen talks about her journey to get to where she is today. For more information on Jen's weekly news letter with industry events and job opportunities email her: jens@atworkcollaborative.com or go to www.atworkcollaborative.com .
The At Work Collaborative, people are sometimes surprised when I say my role isn’t about the nuts and bolts of furniture. My real focus is assembling the best team of people to help our clients meet their goals. I believe my job is to make other people’s jobs easier, and I do that by connecting, listening, and showing up. That’s where my passion for community involvement, inclusion, and mental health comes into play. I’m all about making things easier for our clients. Contract furniture can be complicated, so I use my network to connect the dots—bringing in the right people and resources to move projects forward smoothly. I help assemble the best team for the job and make sure our clients feel supported every step of the way, from planning to install. My goal is to take the stress off their plate and help them get exactly what they need. Its on me to use emotional intelligence to anticipate and understand the client’s needs, and to hear what they’re saying without saying it. I also create a safe space for the client to give feedback because when we improve everyone wins.

Outside of work, I stay active in the industry and community. I co-chair United Way’s Real Estate Celebration, serve on At Work Collaborative’s DEI committee, and I’m a proud Big Sister mentor of 10 years. I also send out a bi-weekly AEC event calendar to over 1,000 people—because I believe everyone should have a seat at the table and know where the table is.
I’ve also co-founded two fun, inclusive networking events: the Bush League Ski Club, which gathers about 400 people each winter, and the annual Croquet After Party, now in its 4th year, which brings together about 300 people across the industry. On a personal note, I love travel, live music, skiing, golf—and I’m always down for an adventure.
Ultimately, I’m here to connect, contribute, and help build stronger, more inclusive communities—one relationship at a time.

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Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Mark Silverman of Mark's Moving & Storage, Inc.. https://www.marksmoving.com marksfurniturefoundation.org (508) 889-0640 . In 1979, Mark was a student at Northeastern University and while many college students were spending money on their social lives, he needed to spend my money on school. But first he had to earn it.
Students needed moving help every semester, so he decided to become a mover. He had never worked as a mover. He just purchased a small van with a credit card hoping to make a few extra dollars to pay tuition.
Eventually, the business became Mark’s sole focus. One Man and a Van became Mark’s Moving & Storage. Over the years, he recognized the need for a steadfast philosophy, so he built the business around guaranteeing 100 percent customer satisfaction.
Nearly 46 years later, He is still looking for opportunities to help people.
Mark also created Marks Northeastern Furniture Foundation and collects over 12 trailer loads of lightly used and new goods each year and works with Greater Boston non-profits to share that treasure with local families in need.

Mark also founded TheStorageCompany.com, a premier source for warehousing and transportation of medical equipment, machinery, fixtures, and high-value products.

Additionally, Mark invested in and manages Massachusetts Portable Storage, a company that offers convenient and flexible portable storage options for short-term and long-term needs.
The company has grown the company from a small local business to a regional leader, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Massachusetts and beyond.

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Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Joseph Aquino President of JAACRES & Author of Memoir of a Watch Salesman A NYC Real Estate Story available: www.memoirsofawatchsalesman.com

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Joseph A. Aquino, President of JAACRES, is one of the most accomplished and respected names in commercial real estate. With a career spanning 40 years, Joseph has built an extraordinary track record representing luxury brands, fast fashion retailers, restaurants, industrial users, hotels and blue-chip office tenants in New York City and all major U.S. markets — from Beverly Hills to Miami, Boston, Las Vegas, Atlanta., and beyond.
His unique strength lies in his versatility. Joseph is a rare broker who excels at both tenant and landlord representation. He understands the needs of the C-suite and speaks their language, making him a trusted advisor to CEOs, founders, and ownership groups alike. Whether he’s guiding an international brand’s U.S. expansion or curating the ideal tenant mix for a Class A office building or luxury property on a high-street, Joseph brings strategy, integrity, and results to every deal.
Over the years, he has worked with some of the most influential property owners and developers in the country — the visionaries behind many of Manhattan’s most iconic addresses. Joseph was the driving force behind numerous notable leases and building sales across Manhattan and Fifth Avenue, including retail & townhouses on Madison Avenue, off Fifth Avenue, and luxury flagships on 57th Street, Soho, Nolita and more.
Joseph is also the Founder and President of The SBS Group, a global business development network connecting luxury retailers with property owners across key markets. The SBS Group operates in cities like Paris, Rome, London, Barcelona, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Cape Town, Belfast, and Dublin, and brings together decision-makers from Europe, Asia, North America, and South Africa.
What sets Joseph apart is his global perspective, his deep understanding of both retail and office markets, and his relentless commitment to helping clients succeed — whether by identifying emerging opportunities, negotiating favorable terms, or guiding a brand’s entry into a new market.
Joseph Aquino doesn’t just make deals — he builds legacies.

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Rick Kaplan Host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Deborah Smith Co-Founder & CEO of The CenterCap Group. Deb is a trailblazer at the crossroads of real estate and finance. She’s passionate about real estate, all its asset classes, and mostly in finding the best solutions for her clients. That said, the size of her firm, her ability to see around corners, and capability to nimbly operate on all sides of a transaction makes way for creative transactions. She gets outside the box and is almost always out ahead on trends before the rest of the industry. She’d be a wonderful guest to discuss early trends and what she’s seeing and hearing on the ground.