The Dealmakers’ Edge with A.Y. Strauss

As a dynamic speaker whose career spans several domains, Jonathan Cohen has always brought resilience and purpose to the table. His podcast features conversations with high performers across multiple industries who provide their insights and strategies to help people overcome obstacles, shift their mindset, and live with intention. With over 100 interviews of individuals ranging from fighter pilot...

With over two decades in retail real estate, Justin Stein brings a unique perspective on how the industry has transformed—and where it's heading next. As Executive Vice President of Leasing at Tanger, he's been instrumental in the company's evolution from a legacy outlet operator to a dynamic, diversified portfolio of open-air shopping centers that blend outlet and full-price retail...

Glen Kunofsky shares how a long-term, client-centered philosophy led to the creation of Surmount, a unified platform combining brokerage, advisory, development, and capital markets services. What began as a brokerage team evolved in direct response to client needs—from navigating sale-leasebacks, to renegotiating leases during downturns, to sourcing capital and delivering development expertise. Gl...

Rafael is the Founder and Managing Partner of Safe Harbor Capital Partners and is Chair of the Investment Committee. He has managed over $1B of performing and non-performing commercial and residential mortgage loans, defaulted debt instruments, and distressed real estate assets transactions in both Domestic US and International markets. From 1992 to 1999, he was the founder and CEO of MTU, a provi...

Elise Holtzman is the CEO of The Lawyer’s Edge®, an executive coaching and consulting firm where she and her team have spent over 16 years helping law firms build thriving businesses by transforming lawyers into better business developers and leaders. A former practicing attorney, Elise brings first-hand knowledge of the legal profession’s demands and a strategic focus on rainmaking, leadership, a...

David Berg is a Partner at Infinity Real Estate, where he oversees acquisitions, investment ventures, and the firm’s overall investment strategy. Since joining in 2011 as Investment Director, David has led Infinity’s expansion into the Philadelphia and Miami markets while managing key lender and investor relationships. Under his leadership, the firm is currently developing or repositioning over on...

Avner Krohn is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Jasko Development, a vertically integrated real estate development firm based in New Britain, Connecticut. Under his leadership, Jasko has delivered a wide range of projects across the multifamily, healthcare, and retail sectors—focused primarily on underserved urban cores in the Northeast. Avner launched his entrepreneurial career at age 10 and has...

Greg Corbin is the President and founder of Northgate Real Estate Group, which specializes in the sale and workout of distressed properties. In addition, he has deep expertise in judicial and UCC foreclosures, loan and REO sales, restructuring, and stalled construction sites. He’s widely recognized as one of the most active and sought-after industry leaders, with countless accolades throughout his...

Bob Knakal is a name everyone knows in commercial real estate. Since 1984, he’s brokered over 2,399 buildings in the New York City area, with a market value approximating $22 billion. For 26 years, he owned and ran Massey Knakal with a focus on building a culture of servant leadership, training people, and dominating the market. He eventually sold the company to Cushman & Wakefield for $100 mi...

Jonathan Zamir is the founder and managing partner of real estate investment firm Keystone Equities . Keystone operates as both a private equity and private credit platform and focuses on acquiring, redeveloping, and repositioning commercial and residential properties in key U.S. markets while also originating and managing debt investments. Under Jonathan’s leadership, the firm has grown a diverse...

Garvin Brown recently retired from Brown-Forman Corporation , the company behind Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, founded by his great-great-grandfather in 1870. His career with the company began as a wine salesperson in New York and evolved through various corporate and operational roles. By 2007, Garvin had become chairman, steering the company through key transitions between the fourth and fift...

In this episode of The Dealmaker’s Edge , Aaron Strauss is joined by Stephen Bittel , founder and chairman of Terranova Corporation . With over four decades of experience, Stephen shares his remarkable journey in real estate and offers insights on leadership, market strategy, and the importance of empathy in business. From his early days in Miami to managing an investment portfolio of over $1 bill...

Russ Krivor , CEO and Founder of Sovereign Properties , joins the podcast this episode. They discuss Russ's journey in real estate, the importance of education, navigating entrepreneurship, raising capital, market insights, the future of senior living, and the significance of building relationships in business. Russ shares valuable lessons learned throughout his career and emphasizes the need...

On this episode, managing partner Aaron Strauss sits down with Robert Logan of B&D Holdings to explore the strategies driving their impressive growth in industrial real estate.  Rob Logan is a Principal at B&D Holdings. Based in New Jersey, B&D Holdings is a privately held investment and development firm with a real estate portfolio of over 200 properties throughout 34 states. Their pr...

Yannis Papadakis is a Business Development Manager and Podcast Host at CREXi . Based in Los Angeles, CREXi is a commercial real estate community, marketplace, and technology company that simplifies transactions and accelerates business for brokers, buyers, agents and tenants.  Yannis is responsible for building relationships with commercial real estate professionals from across the country and con...

Jordan Kavana is the Founder and Chairman of ARK Homes for Rent , established in 2021. ARK Homes for Rent is a real estate investment company that owns, operates, and manages a nearly $2 billion portfolio of rental properties located across the Sunbelt of the United States. For nearly three decades, Jordan has built and led several successful ventures in real estate and private equity, including T...

Boots Dunlap is the Co-founder and CEO of RRA Capital . With offices in midtown New York City and Phoenix, Arizona, RRA Capital is a real estate investment firm that provides customized debt products at institutional pricing for real estate sponsors across the United States. Notably, RRA is a Veteran-founded, owned, and operated real estate investment firm. Boots leads the investment strategy and...

Adam Heine is the CEO and President of both Consolidated Development Corporation and Camden Securities Company . He is also the founder of Great Hill Investments, LLC .  At Camden Securities, Adam is responsible for overseeing all aspects of investment, development, and property management. Since joining Camden in 2009, he has successfully overseen the acquisition, development, and repositioning o...

David Lubin is the founder and managing partner of Clairmont Group . Based in New York, Clairmont Group is a fully integrated real estate investment and management firm that invests in mixed-use, multifamily, hospitality, retail, office, and industrial assets.  In his role, David oversees the firm’s strategic direction as well as acquisitions, development, and asset management. To date, David has...

On this episode, Aaron Strauss is joined by Michael Sommer , Chief Development Officer at Kushner Companies . Michael oversees development and construction efforts across the entire Kushner portfolio which includes residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, and industrial properties, over 12.9 million square feet currently under development, and over 26,500 apartments across 13 states.  Michael...

Carl Wright is the founder and president of Wright Partners , a real estate development firm focused on the development, ownership and management of retail, industrial and healthcare properties. The firm is the exclusive developer for Patient First for Philadelphia and New Jersey as well as a preferred developer for brands like AutoZone, CVS and National Tire and Battery.  Carl founded Wright Part...

Managing partner Aaron Strauss sits down with Seth Weissman , founder and managing partner of Urban Standard Capital (“USC”). The Goldman Sachs and Perry Capital alum takes listeners through his career journey, lessons learned, and the steps he took to build USC into a fully integrated real estate private equity firm managing over $600 million in real estate equity and debt investments.  Enjoy the...

On this episode, managing partner Aaron Strauss sits down with Michael Seeve to discuss his career, favorite deals, the current market, and his advice for those new to the real estate industry. Michael serves as President of Mountain Development Corporation (MDC) and guides the firm’s activities in close coordination with its executive team, professionals, and partners. Michael provides strategic...

On this episode, managing partner Aaron Strauss sits down with Ezra Stark , CEO of Stark Enterprises. Founded in 1978 by Robert Stark, Stark Enterprises is a full-service commercial real estate development firm focused on Mixed-Use, Retail, Office, Student Housing, and Parking Facilities located across 7 States .  As CEO, Ezra has grown Stark’s footprint to include over 9 Million square feet of Cl...

Gary Lipsky has been a real estate entrepreneur for over 20 years. He is the founder of an award-winning multifamily syndication business and has acquired over 3,000 apartment units valued at over $250MM. Gary is the host of the Real Estate Investor Podcast ( available on Apple podcasts ), where he interviews industry experts to provide a broad range education to investors. He is also the best-sel...