6/26/2020 2020 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal MENU Account FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF [email protected] From the South Florida Business Journal: https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/06/26/2020-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html 2020 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) Jun 26, 2020, 7:08am EDT Ever since South Florida was pioneered in the 1800s, real estate has shaped the region’s economy. More than 100 years later – through depressions, recessions, and economic tumult – that continues to be the case. The persistent force behind the local real estate market remains the property owners, developers and real estate brokers who power what remains a significant driver in the South Florida economy. Though persistent, the individuals reflect the uniquely dynamic nature of South Florida’s BETHANY BICKLEY FOR AMERICAN CITY BUSINESS JOURNALS real estate marketplace. While 39 are making at least their fifth appearance on the list, 2020 Power Leaders in Real Estate – Part 1 15 are newcomers to the list. Most are frequently mentioned in the pages of the South Florida Business Journal, as they make their mark across the community. As South Florida emerges from the fallout of recent events, these modern-day pioneers will be the ones who continue to shape the region’s economy and our future successes. Donna Abood Principal, managing director, Avison Young Miami Abood is with the region’s eighth-largest commercial real estate brokerage. During her 36-year career, she has negotiated well over $750 million of lease transactions on behalf of her clients. Birthplace: Detroit Education: B.A., marketing and management, Florida State University Childhood crush: Donny Osmond I’d like to learn how to: Surf Favorite decade: 1970s! The best music, clothing, hairstyles and free spirit Favorite smartphone app: Pandora Favorite TV network: Starz Favorite professional development book: “The 25 Biblical Laws of Success” by William Douglas and Rubens Teixeira Favorite movie director: Oliver Stone Favorite sport: FSU Seminoles football www.avisonyoung.com/donna-abood, [email protected], 305-446-0011 https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/06/26/2020-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html?iana=hpmvp_sflo_news_headline&s=print 1/25 6/26/2020 2020 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal Michael M. Adler Chairman and CEO, The Adler Group Miami Formed in 1978, Adler Group offers a wide range of real estate services. Its development projects and holdings include over 10,000 rental apartments and 20 million square feet of commercial space from South Florida through the Southeast, mid- Atlantic and Texas markets. As chairman of the board and investment committee of Adler Kawa Real Estate Advisors, Adler oversees development of office, flex and industrial properties in the southern and eastern U.S. He’s also chairman of Kabel-X USA, a technology company that optimizes internet connections by extracting and replacing outdated copper core wiring with fiber optic cables. Birthplace: Westchester, New York Education: B.S.B.A., University of Miami www.adlergroup.com, 305-392-4000 Joel L. Altman Chairman and co-CEO, The Altman Cos. Boca Raton Altman leads the region’s second-largest commercial real estate developer. The company has delivered more than 26,000 multifamily units in Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas since Altman founded it in 1968. Birthplace: Philadelphia Education: Graduate, Michigan State University First car: A used 1959 Corvette Childhood hero: My dad I’d like to learn how to: Upgrade my pilot’s license to a commercial rating Favorite TV network: FOX Favorite movie director: Martin Scorsese Last concert attended: Andrea Bocelli Favorite restaurant: Scalinatella Ristorante in New York City Favorite movie: “Something’s Gotta Give” I’d like to have drinks with: Mike Jackson www.altmancos.com, [email protected], 561-997-8661 Brent Baker Division president, Southeast Florida, Pulte Group Palm Beach Gardens Baker has been with Pulte for 18 years in a variety of land and finance roles. In the past four years, Baker has grown the division from 200 closings to over 800 closings, with a land pipeline of over 7,000 owned or controlled lots. https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/06/26/2020-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html?iana=hpmvp_sflo_news_headline&s=print 2/25 6/26/2020 2020 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal Birthplace: Greensboro, North Carolina Education: B.S.B.A., MBA, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill I’d like to learn how to: Fix a car Favorite decade: 1980s Favorite smartphone app: Zillow Favorite TV network: Netflix Favorite drink: A good IPA Favorite meal: BBQ, Carolina or Texas style I’d like to have drinks with: The four participants in a recent golf match: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning Bucket list: Attending the Masters www.pulte.com, [email protected], 561-206-1405 R. Russell Barnes Principal, Kimley-Horn and Associates West Palm Beach Barnes has worked on a variety of projects throughout Florida. He is responsible for the overall operations and results of the region’s 17 offices. Birthplace: Raleigh, North Carolina Education: B.S., civil engineering, North Carolina State University First car: Chevrolet Citation Childhood hero: My Dad I’d like to learn how to: Scuba dive Favorite decade: 1980s Favorite smartphone app: Poker King Texas Holdem Favorite TV network: Discovery Channel Favorite movie director: Mel Gibson Last book I read: “How Successful People Think” by John Maxwell Favorite restaurant: Raindancer Steakhouse, West Palm Beach I’d like to have drinks with: Clint Eastwood www.kimley-horn.com, [email protected], 561-845-0665 Mike Belmont President, Florida, Minto Communities https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/06/26/2020-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html?iana=hpmvp_sflo_news_headline&s=print 3/25 6/26/2020 2020 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal Tampa Belmont joined Minto in 2008 as an executive VP to expand the company’s presence beyond South Florida. In 2010, he was named president of Minto Communities USA and oversaw all U.S. operations. Birthplace: Waukegan, Illinois Education: Bachelor’s degree, journalism, political science, Marquette University www.mintofla.com, 813-342-3844 Willy A. Bermello Chairman, Bermello Ajamil & Partners Miami Bermello’s interdisciplinary architecture and engineering firm operates on six continents from offices in Florida, New York, California and Denmark. His latest accomplishment is “The Pearl,” Norwegian Cruise Line’s Terminal B at PortMiami. Birthplace: Havana Education: Bachelor’s degree, architecture, University of Florida; master’s degree, architecture and city planning, University of Pennsylvania I’d like to learn how to: Ice skate Favorite decade: 1970s Favorite TV network: FOX News Last book I read: “God and Donald Trump” by Stephen Strang Guilty pleasure: Montecristo No. 1 Favorite sport: Horseback riding Favorite book: The Bible I’d like to have drinks with: Winston Churchill www.bermelloajamil.com, [email protected], 305-859-2050 Angelo Bianco Managing partner, Crocker Partners Boca Raton Founded in 1986, Crocker Partners is an institutional investor and pioneer in mixed-use developments and office repositioning. It has 11 million square feet and $3 billion in assets located across the Sun Belt, making the company the largest office landlord in Florida and the 39th largest in the country. Birthplace; Brooklyn, New York Education: B.B.A., finance, George Washington University; J.D., University of Virginia School of Law Childhood crush: Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman I’d like to have drinks with: Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/06/26/2020-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html?iana=hpmvp_sflo_news_headline&s=print 4/25 6/26/2020 2020 Power Leaders in Real Estate (Part 1) - South Florida Business Journal Favorite smartphone app: Spotify Favorite TV network: YouTube Time travel: Past or future? Future Favorite meal: Pasta with my mother’s green olive marinara sauce Bucket list: Meeting my first grandchild www.crockerpartners.com, 561-447-1801 Tere Blanca Chairman and CEO, Blanca Commercial Real Estate Miami Blanca has 30 years’ experience assisting clients in the leasing and sales of approximately 12 million square feet across hundreds of projects, ranging from land acquisition to the master planning, design, construction, marketing, lease-up and sale of office and mixed-use assets. Birthplace: Havana Education: B.B.A., international marketing and finance, and MBA, University of Miami Childhood hero: My maternal grandfather Favorite decade: 2010-2020 Favorite smartphone app: Synctuition Favorite TV network: HBO Favorite movie director: Steven Spielberg I’d like to have drinks with: Sir Richard Branson Time travel: Past or future? Past (the roaring ’20s) www.blancacre.com, [email protected], 305-577-8851 Mark Blanchard VP, AECOM Tech Corp. Miami Blanchard leads the region’s largest architectural firm, with $162 million in gross billings in 2019, and its sixth-largest engineering firm, with nine South Florida offices. Education: Western Michigan University www.aecom.com, [email protected], 305-444-4691 Kieran Bowers President, Swire Properties https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/06/26/2020-power-leaders-in-real-estate-part-1.html?iana=hpmvp_sflo_news_headline&s=print