Real estate in New Jersey is bigger than just the biggest developers (see that list here) and the icons of the industry, which can be found here. These power players (A to L) hold key roles in the industry and are vital to its success. See the power players list (M to Z) here.
Margaret Anadu; Sherry Wang
Partner; Managing director
Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group
They are quietly and effectively behind so many of the deals that have helped grow Newark.
Leslie Anderson
CEO and president
New Jersey Redevelopment Authority
An overdue entry on this list; she has long been a key player in building underserved communities.
Jeff Babikian
Executive vice president
CBRE
He’s built his stellar career representing tenants, investment clients and landlords in all facets of commercial real estate.
Ras Baraka
Mayor
City of Newark
The guy everyone says is the force behind getting the seemingly never-ending list of projects to the finish line.
Jeff Bezos
Founder and CEO
Amazon
Bezos has shaped and will continue to shape all aspects of warehouse shipping and logistics in the state and the country.
Jay Biggins
Executive managing director
Biggins, Lacy, Shapiro & Co.
His firm is the go-to source for companies looking to relocate and navigate New Jersey — and has long been.
Cory Booker
U.S. senator
State of New Jersey
His signature legislation (Opportunity Zones) has not helped his presidential campaign, but it could change investments habits in the state and country.
Dave Brogan
Executive director
New Jersey Apartment Association
The really effective leader of one of the most important associations related to real estate in the state. Yeah, he makes the list.
Josh Burd
Editor
Real Estate NJ
The real estate writer from another publication? Yes. If you want your list to have credibility, you include all the top Influencers. Burd is as good as it gets — a must-read for those in the sector — and everyone in the industry knows it. And many recommended him for a spot on the list. We’re happy to oblige.
Jim Cahill
Mayor
City of New Brunswick
There’s a reason he was part of the top spot on this list last year: Communities with strong development always have strong elected officials at the helm.
Tom Comiskey
Regional president
M&T Bank
Comiskey is the New Jersey head of one of two banks in the state that many power players listed as a leader in real estate services.
Tai Cooper
Vice president
New Jersey Economic Development Authority
A well-respected policy expert on many issues, Cooper has become a go-to person on Opportunity Zones, which could have a huge impact on the state’s underserved communities.
Tony Coscia
Partner
Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf
Well-respected and well-known lawyer would make the list even if he weren’t the head of Amtrak. But he is — which has helped break the New Jersey Transit/Amtrak feud and (hopefully) will key the Gateway Tunnel project.
Jose Cruz
Senior managing director
JLL
His competitors, who always have feared/respected him, all wonder how much stronger he’ll be with the resources of the much-bigger JLL behind him after its takeover of HFF.
Stan Danzig; Jules Nissim
Vice chairmen
Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman’s top New Jersey industrial team remains a force, one that has just completed a major lease-up at the Rockefeller Group Logistics Center and is now spearheading another campaign at the 153-acre Lincoln Logistics project in Bayonne.
Morris Davis; Peter Reinhart
Academic director; Director
Rutgers Center for Real Estate; Kislak Real Estate Institute
The state is lucky to have two solid real estate schools, led by top directors — who are making sure the next generation is well-trained and … wait for it … diverse.
Bill DeBlasio
Mayor
City of New York
Some joked he could be the biggest influencer of the New Jersey real estate market, the way he is pushing business out of the city. Others lamented the fact that New Jersey wasn’t in better position to accept them (see JPMorgan Chase supposedly considering moving staff to Delaware, Ohio and Texas).
Jeff Dunne; Jeremy Neuer
Vice chairman; Executive vice president
CBRE
Dynamic duo is how one insider described them. Another noted that Neuer may be the leader in the industry in understanding how technology changes (driverless cars, etc.) will impact real estate.
Steve Fulop
Mayor
Jersey City
Another poster child for creating a business-friendly, development-friendly municipality (though Kushner Cos. may disagree). Jersey City is still a place companies want to be and Fulop continues to use that desire to rebuild his city.
Frank Giantomasi
Member
Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi
It would be tough to find anyone who can match his deep knowledge of all things real estate in the city of Newark — or his big personality.
Aisha Glover
CEO
Newark Alliance
Glover’s move to Newark Alliance hasn’t changed the fact that she’s still a connector/creator of all things business in Newark.
David Gockel
CEO and president
Langan
The Parsippany-based engineering and environmental firm has a global reach, but is also one of the most active and influential in its home state.
Bob Goldsmith
Partner/co-chair, Redevelopment & Land Use Department
Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis LLP
The veteran attorney is one of the most active practitioners in all things land use and redevelopment; not to mention that he is involved with virtually every major trade association in the state.
Timothy Greiner; Frank Recine
Executive managing directors
JLL
Pros … all-stars … or two more reasons why JLL is considered the top brokerage firm in the area.
Joe Jingoli
CEO
Joseph Jingoli & Son Construction
He knows everyone and everything in the industry — and is never short on opportunities to partner. His legacy, however, will be his philanthropic work.
Peter Kasabach
Executive director
New Jersey Future
Whether you agree with his group or not, having think tank-type organizations that are analyzing where the sector is going is a good thing.
Donald Katz
CEO
Audible
Company’s Innovation Cathedral is latest example of how Audible is using real estate to reinvigorate Newark. A lesson others could and should follow.
Joe Kelley
Deputy chief of staff for economic growth
Governor’s Office
Go-to guy for developers when looking to get in good graces of state. Relationship is not always smooth (Kelley won’t just rubber-stamp all ideas), but that’s what makes him influential (and powerful).
Bob Klausner
Partner
Fox Rothschild
He’s a regular on this list, and for good reason. He’s always in the middle of some of the biggest deals, involving some of the biggest players.
Kris Kolluri
CEO and president
Cooper’s Ferry Partnership
While others are debating the roots of Camden’s growth in recent past, Kolluri is busy trying to orchestrate the city’s future.
Rob Kossar; David Knee
Vice chairmen
JLL
The leaders of one of the biggest brokerage firms in the state and region — and one leading the way in what is still the hottest asset class: industrial.
Greg Lalevee
Business manager, vice president of General Executive Board
IUOE 825
He’s a union leader that understands economic development, the state’s biggest upcoming issue (ask him about water) and the need to prepare the next generation of talent (see 825’s amazing training facility).
Dan Loughlin
Vice chairman, brokerage
JLL
It’s simple: Ask anyone in the sector who the top broker in the state is and Loughlin’s name will come up.
