New York Leadership Team
CHRIS MAIER
Contractors, CLOSERS & CONNECTIONS
Chris is the Founder of the CCC and launched the 1st Chapter in 2019 in Atlanta, and has since helped to launch over a dozen Chapters throughout the United States.
He is a Founder of the Atlanta, New York City & Nashville Chapters of CCC.
The Executive Leadership Teams that he formulates are primarily comprised of real estate development, investment and finance professionals to establish uniformity across the brand.
In Atlanta alone, Chris possesses a database of over 10,000+ active commercial real estate contacts that frequent his private events.
He formerly served the commercial real estate development industry as Director of Acquisitions at The Montalto Group, formerly served the commercial construction industry at the Director level of Cooper & Company General Contractors, and also gained facility management experience as a Department Manager of Lone Rover Construction.
Chris gained experience working on behalf of BOMA (Building Owners & Managers Association) where he first gained an understanding as to the inner-workings of a successful real estate association, and utilized this experience in order to formulate the CCC.
He has been involved in the successful brokerage & development transactions under the role of “consultant” for multifamily, industrial, office and retail asset classes.
Chris is also a commercial real estate investor into multifamily developments as a Limited Partner.
He and his wife own and operate a short-term residential real estate vacation rental business, Stargazer Hideaway Rentals.
Chris is currently a Board Member of FREED (Freedom through Real Estate Education for Doctors) and RARE (Real Athletes in Real Estate).
Chris formerly served 501c3 non-profit charities on the Board of Directors Member for Mentor Me North Forsyth to mentor young men and women in the community where he was raised, and as Vice President of Hands Across Atlanta to assist the less-fortunate homeless population in Atlanta. Chris previously sat on the Board of Directors for LAI (Lambda Alpha International) Land Economics Society in Atlanta.
He received his undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern University and an MBA from University of The Rockies. He is a fitness enthusiast, and an avid supporter of United States veterans.
Chris is extremely passionate about serving others through the CCC by assisting professionals to establish new relationships, uplifting them in their careers, and improving their overall quality of life.
SHAHID JAFRI
JAFRI GROUP
Shahid grew up in a family involved in real estate and mortgage banking. Shahid ‘s father, Mohamed Jafri, has developed, owned and operated multi family, mixed use and residential portfolio in New York since 1980’’s. Shahid ‘s mother, Zahra Jafri, in 1990 founded owned and operated, as its President, a mortgage brokerage company. In 2004 Zahra co-founded Lynx Mortgage Bank LLC, a direct residential lender, and as its President guided Lynx through the 2008 financial crises and has grown Lynx into one of the most reputable mortgage banks in New York.
In 2018, Shahid founded Jafri Capital, LLC, a New York Based Commercial Real Estate Capital Markets Intermediary & Investment Firm
Shahid has established a valuable network of capital relationships including but not limited to: international and domestic family offices, offshore and onshore private equity and hedge funds, private lenders, investment banks, commercial banks, and high net worth individuals.
Prior to founding Jafri Capital, LLC, Shahid worked at a New York-based real estate investment company. Where the team successfully closed over $1 Billion. Shahid worked as a real estate investment banking analyst and associate, specializing in equity and debt placement. He was introduced to intermediaries and their business model at his first role at the internationally reputable TP ICAP, where he sat on the equity derivatives desk.
In 2021, Shahid founded JafCap which is a online digital commercial real estate capital markets platform and Jafri Journal, a digital media and news company covering the most relevant commercial and residential real estate content across the nation.
Shahid graduated from Fairfield University Dolan School of Business with a B.A. in Finance & Accounting and earned a diploma in Commercial Real Estate Financial Analysis & Modeling from NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate
GAURAV KHANNA
VAL-ADD REAL ESTATE PARTNERS
Gaurav Khanna is the founder of Val-Add Partners, a specialized real estate advisory firm he launched in 2019. His journey in real estate spans over 25 years, with a focus on enhancing asset value through strategic repositioning and capital restructuring. Gaurav’s prior experience includes impactful roles at Vornado Realty Trust and Gazit Horizons, where he honed his expertise in expanding large REIT portfolios, and at Le Pain Quotidien, leading significant real estate growth.
At the helm of Val-Add, Gaurav orchestrates a multi-faceted approach combining vision, financial acumen, and execution strategies. He heads an executive team with a remarkable track record, boasting over $20 billion in deal experience and 80 years of combined industry insight. This team leverages their prowess in areas like valuation analysis, loan restructuring, and asset management to drive client success.
In addition to his leadership at Val-Add, Gaurav serves as an adjunct professor at NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate, sharing his wealth of knowledge with the next generation of real estate professionals. His academic credentials include graduate degrees from Harvard University and Pratt Institute, reflecting a deep understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of real estate.
Gaurav’s role at Val-Add is more than a position; it’s a manifestation of his passion for real estate and a testament to his belief in the transformative power of visionary asset management. He sees each project not just as a transaction, but as an opportunity to create lasting value and impact. It’s this philosophy that energizes Gaurav, driving him to continually explore innovative solutions in the dynamic world of real estate.
Russell Nova
MTN INVESTMENT GROUP / THE CORNERSTONE GROUP OF NEW YORK
Russell comes from a Capital Markets background having diverse banking relationships stemming from 85+ Commercial Banks and Funds. He is a Principal at The Cornerstone Group, which is an active Debt Advisory firm with over 1B+ in secured financing on Commercial and Multifamily. Russell is responsible for underwriting and structuring debt for many experienced operators and property owners across the states. The Cornerstone Group is headquartered in New York with branch offices in Miami.
Not only is Russell an avid investor/operator in multifamily, he also invests in other asset classes such as shopping centers, industrial property and storage facilities. He strongly believes in having skin in the game and personally places his own funds into every property he is involved with.
Russell believes in purchasing assets in opportunistic markets where he can invest in the community and enhance the living environment for the residents. The desire to help investors and partners build generational wealth is Russell’s main priority, and it starts with “trust you can depend on.”
During his free time, Russell enjoys playing sports and cycling. He lives in Brooklyn with his girlfriend Kathy and their two dogs – a Frenchie named Oscar and a Pit Bull named Carmella.
DERMOT O'Sullivan
Sage realty CORPORATION
As Director of Design & Construction, Dermot O’Sullivan oversees all design, pre-construction, construction, and post-construction throughout the Sage portfolio. He is responsible for coordinating the office and field personnel, and ensuring that all projects are completed on time, and on budget. He is a leader in the organization, maintaining interdepartmental relationships, as well as cultivating relationships with Sage Tenants, vendors, contactors, and subcontractors.
Dermot began his career as a carpenter on large-scale, high-profile projects throughout New York City. Ultimately moving into construction management, he has utilized this same approach as a leader in the industry, overseeing projects at prestigious locations, including The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and The United Nations General Assembly Hall in NYC’s Midtown East. With nearly 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, Dermot looks forward to continuing his own growth while developing others through mentorship.
GINA MARIE ROMEO
1 CONNECT SOURCE / RARIFIED REAL ESTATE PARTNERS
Gina M. Romeo is the Founder & Principal Consultant at Connect Source Consulting Group, and she holds a NJ Real Estate License as the Senior Associate of Key Accounts with Rarefied Real Estate Partners.
With over two decades of experience and relationships established within the Retail, Restaurant, Design & Construction industries, she has been extremely successful at CONNECTING with people and developing business.
Gina is very passionate about the commercial real estate & construction industries, and truly believes that her success has come from bringing all the right partners together through collaboration & teamwork.
She is a proud and active member of the following industry-specific organizations:
- Conscious Capitalism – (Co- Founder, PA Chapter and Board Member, NY Chapter)
- RCA – Retail Contractors Association (Marketing Committee)
- ICSC – (Innovating Commerce, Serving Communities – Marketplace Leader – PA, NJ, DE – Membership Co-Chair – Next Generation Committee and Program Planning Committee)
- RDI – Retail Design Institute (Membership Chair and NY Chapter Member)
- CCRP – Commercial Construction & Renovation Magazine (Editorial Board)
- Pipeline – Women in Commercial RE, Design & Construction
Michael Achillas
Clearview
Michael is a seasoned financial professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He began his career in 1999 as an analyst at a New York Stock Exchange firm, where he researched individual investment profiles and developed strategies for clients. After a few years, Michael moved into mortgage banking, originating residential and commercial loans, and conducting real estate research, analysis, and valuations for investors nationwide with a focus on subprime mortgages.
In 2015, Michael shifted to real estate representation and founded Clearview, a company dedicated to helping national and foreign nationals create wealth through real estate investments in metropolitan cities throughout the nation, more so in New York City and Southern California. Michael is licensed as a Real Estate Broker in both NY & CA states. His clients include Fortune 500 CEOs, entertainment figures, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and family offices. Michael provides advisory and consultative services for his clients in the areas of acquisitions, dispositions, and providing capital throughout the capital stack such as Debt, Equity, Bridge, Mezzanine, and Pref.
In addition to his career, Michael is actively involved in a number of philanthropic endeavors, including raising funds and awareness for Water.org, an organization dedicated to providing clean drinking water and sanitary products to those around the world who lack access to these necessities. Furthermore, Michael is passionate about the environment and works with the Clean Oceans Environmental Organization to promote clean oceans.
Michael is a highly motivated and results-oriented individual with a proven track record of success in the real estate industry.
RAKESH KUMAR
Star Rock Associates
Rakesh Kumar stands as a seasoned leader in the dynamic world of real estate finance, bringing a wealth of expertise and strategic insight to the forefront. With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Rakesh has played an instrumental role in shaping the financial landscape of the real estate industry.
Born and raised in London, Rakesh Kumar demonstrated a keen interest in finance from an early age. He pursued his passion by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from a prestigious institution, where he laid the foundation for his future success. Rakesh’s commitment to excellence was evident even during his academic years, setting the stage for a remarkable professional journey.
Rakesh embarked on his career in real estate finance with determination and a vision for innovation. Over the years, he climbed the corporate ladder through a series of strategic roles, showcasing his prowess in financial modeling, risk management, and deal structuring. His ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and identify lucrative opportunities quickly set him apart as a leader in the field. His strategic acumen and commitment to delivering results have consistently earned him accolades from peers and industry experts alike.
As a visionary leader, Rakesh Kumar is known for steering teams toward success through a combination of mentorship, innovation, and a focus on sustainable growth. He has a keen understanding of market trends and a proactive approach to adapting to the ever-evolving real estate finance landscape.
Rakesh’s leadership philosophy centers around collaboration and fostering a culture of excellence within his teams. His commitment to ethical business practices and a client-centric approach has not only solidified his reputation as a trustworthy professional but has also contributed to the success of the organizations he has been part of.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Rakesh Kumar is actively involved in initiatives aimed at giving back to the community. He believes in the transformative power of real estate to uplift neighborhoods and is dedicated to projects that contribute positively to society.
NIMESH LIMBASIA
BRICK STREET CAPITAL
Nimesh has over 10 years of experience in real estate Investments, Construction and Finance. He was previously a Managing Director at Formation Capital where he oversaw operations and business development of the company’s portfolio which included, apartment buildings, retail projects, private lending, a textile company, and coal mines. Nimesh was also responsible for origination and execution of new investments with a focus on Core and Value add Assets. In the last decade he has been involved in several multifamily projects. Nimesh role at BSC consists of origination and cap stack solutions. Nimesh, his wife and daughter are avid England & Chelsea fans.
Brick Street Capital is a multifamily investment and management group based in Northern Virginia. Their vision is to leverage technology and 30+ years of collective experience in real estate to create communities that are high quality, affordable, safe, and laden with convenience for today’s families whom are always on-the-go, whilst yielding high investment returns for their investors & improving quality of life for tenants.
BILLY BILLITZER
NATIONAL REALTY HOLDINGS / WINCHESTER EQUITIES
At Winchester Equities Billy focuses on real estate opportunities while maintaining the highest standards of integrity. He work closely with every investor to ensure maximum value and careful attention to detail. He believes that its reputation and strategic relationships built over many years provides a competitive advantage in the pursuit of investment opportunities.
Billy is constantly monitoring the real estate markets, identifying themes by asset class or geography and is thus able to invest in undervalued assets ahead of trends. He pursues a disciplined investment approach identifying attractive opportunities with significant upside potential and controllable downside protection. They commit only to investments that offer clear, realistic exit strategies primarily through refinancing and sales. They believe that a disciplined approach at the time of purchase enables it to better assess exit alternatives as they arise.
National Realty Holdings.ORG is a 501c3 Non-Profit that supports several things for many families. It provides emergency assistance to those in need while maintaining their dignity. They get to feed families with single parents, and those who have recently lost their jobs. They also offer food & clothing subsidies, and assist in many other ways.