MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
Throughout our forty year history, Beacon Residential Management (BRM), has provided the structure and operational oversight critical to ensuring a development's long-term success. Consistently rated one of the top tier management companies by HUD and state housing finance agencies, BRM manages approximately 6,000 units of market-rate and affordable multi-family housing throughouthe United States.
BRM understands that costumer service is the key to successful property management. We are reconized by our residents and industry experts alike for providing unsurpassed management services. Our successful track record is built upon the accomplishments of an experienced team of proffesionals who view each property as a distinct community that merits its own unique set of management, operational, and administrative programs. These programs are designed to maintain and preserve the quality of the properties and meet resident needs.
Approximately 5,000 of our units are owned by partnerships affiliated with BRM. An additianal 1,000 are owned by independent third parties. These properties range in size from small communities of 46 units to major complexes featuring 1,000 units. BRM properties include a balanced mix of family and elderly housing complexes. Many are financed by HUD or state housing finance agencies.
Biographies of Key Personnel
EDWIN SIDMAN
President, TBC
Chairman, BRP/BRM
Ed Sidman has been a moving force in the development of thousands of units of affordable housing, millions of square feet of commercial space and thousands of hotel rooms. Throughout his long and successful career, Ed has played a pivotal role in the transformation of downtown areas as well as the creation of living environments that nurture and support families of all income levels.
Ed provided leadership for such landmark developments as One Post Office Square and the Hotel Meridien in Boston's Financial District as well as the internationally acclaimed Rowes Wharf, Boston's premier mixed-use waterfront development. He has also played a vital role in numerous public/private partnerships including the redevelopment and transformation of Boston's historic South Station and the creation of the Norman Leventhal Park.
Prior to joining Beacon in 1971, Ed practiced law in Boston, MA. In addition to his activities with The Beacon Companies, he is also director of Equity Office Properties, a New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Company, and had served as chairman of Beacon Properties Corporation, a NYSE company that merged with Equity Office Properties.
A graduate of the University of Michigan, Ed holds a law degree from Harvard University. A long-time supporter of community groups and industry association, he is currently chairman of the National Realty Committee and a member of the Artery Business Committee and the Board of the Friends of Post Office Square. A past chairman of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, Ed presently serves on both the Duke University Board of Trustees and its Executive Committee as well as the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.
HOWARD COHEN
President, BRP/BRM/BCJ
Howard Cohen is responsible for overseeing operations of Beacon Residential Properties, Beacon Residential Management, and Beacon/Corcoran Jennison Partners. Among his core responsibilities are long range strategic planning, team coordination, and financial management.
With more than twenty five years of diversified experience, Howard is an expert in the development, financing, and management of affordable housing. Prior to joining Beacon in 1996, he spent twenty years providing legal counsel and consulting services to public agencies and developers of multi-family housing projects. During his fifteen-year partnership with the law firm Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC., Howard's clients included both private and public developers of affordable housing. As general counsel at the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency form 1978-1981, he advised the agency on all aspects of multi-family bond financing and lending, negotiated with housing developers, and drafted legislation. Earlier in his career, Howard provided strategic planning consultation and legal counsel for both the Cambridge Housing Authority and the Boston housing Authority.
Howard currently sits on the boards of the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association and the Citizens' Housing and Planning Association and the Citizens' Housing and Planning Association of Greater Boston, and serves on the Fannie Mae Housing Impact Committee. He is also vice president of the Newton Community Development Foundation, a local non-profit housing developer. Past association include positions on the Fannie Mae National Advisory Committee, the Massachusetts Housing Finance Advisory Committee Section 8 portfolio Restructuring Working Group.
PAMELA GOODMAN
Senior Vice President, Development
Pam Goodman has extensive background in real estate development for both non-for-profit and commercial clients. Her wide-ranging experience in affordable housing includes the development of numerous mixed-income rental communities as well as special needs housing and affordable homeownership communities. Her responsibilities at Beacon Residential Properties include strategic planning, interpreting and navigating the construction process. She also serves as project principal for Allequippa Terrace and Southwood Square and supervises the respective redevelopment directions.
Prior to joining Beacon in 1996, Pam was a senior real estate professional at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC., and provided consulting services to government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Earlier in her career, she served as project manager at The Community Builders, Keen Development, and Boston Investment and Development Company, all of Boston. She also served as the Boston Housing Authority's (BHA) redevelopment director for the Commonwealth development, where she managed all aspects of the redevelopment of this seriously distressed public housing community including budget, design, construction, relocation, and the creation of an employment for residents.
Active in community affairs, Pam is currently an elected member of the Brookline, MA Housing Authority and is affiliated with Citizens' Housing and Planning Association and New England Women in Real Estate.
BART MITCHELL
Senior Vice President, Development
A key member of the Beacon Residential Properties team with more than sixteen years experience in both the public and private sector, Bart Mitchell serves as project principal for Elm Haven and Dalton Village and supervises the responsibilities at Beacon also include strategic planning, financial structuring, and managing the construction process.
Throughout his career, Bart played a significant role in the turnaround of troubled urban properties. Before joining Beacon in 1996, he worked as both manager of housing development and manager of equity and finance for The Community Builders, the Boston-based developer of affordable housing. As housing asn economic development advisor to the Mayor of the City of Boston from 1984-1989, he counseled the Mayor on key policy issues, implemented a new housing subsidy program, and coordinated the City's involvement, and development of the award-winning Park and Garage at Post Office Square.
ROBERT FLACK
Senior Vice President, Design and Construction
Robert Flack brings a wealth of experience on design, project management, and construction to his role at Beacon Residential Properties. His primary responsibilities include the selection, supervision, and coordination of architects, engineers, and contractors associated with some of the firm's most visible development projects.
The Tulane University graduate enjoyed a successful sixteen-year career as an architect before joining Beacon in 1986 as a senior project manager. His most important assignment include the revitalization of Boston's South Station, a mammoth undertaking that included the design and construction of 125,000 square feet of office space, 25,000 square feet of retail space, and 45,000 square feet of public and railroad space. From 1992-1996, he also played a pivotal role as project director for the redevelopment of the 11-story, 385,000 square foot ambulatory patient building at Beth Israel Hospital.
MICHAEL PHILLIPS
Chief Financial officer, TBC/BRP
Chief Operating Officer, BRM
Mike Phillips comes to his position at Beacon with extensive background in residential property management and financial administration. In this capacity, he directs all financial planning and accounting services at Beacon.
For eight years prior to joining Beacon, Mike was associated with the Congress Realty Group of Companies in Boston where he served as senior vice president and CFO. From 1986-1994, he directed financial affairs, guided operations, and managed investors relations for a real estate portfolio of more than 7,000 apartment units acquired with $125 million of private investor equity. As CEO of MB Management Company form 1994-1996, Mike focused on refinancing transactions, asset dispositions, and financial restructurings.
A member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, Mike is a founding board member of both the Boston Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association and the New England Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association.
KATHLEEN SHEEHAN
General Counsel
As a general counsel, Kathleen is responsible for formulating the legal structure and coordinating the issues for Beacon's affordable housing and commercial development divisions. Her primary focus involves supervision of outside counsel, interpreting legislative and regulatory issues, and drafting development and financing agreements.
Prior to joining Beacon, she was a partner at the Boston law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. In private practice, she specialized in the area of government-assisted housing, representing developers and owners in all aspects of the development, financing, and asset management of affordable housing.
Many community-based organizations have benefited from Kathleen's legal skills. As part of her pro bono work, she has represented non-profit groups including the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, Inc. and the Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development in the acquisition and financing of properties.
WILLIAM STETSON
Senior Vice President, BRM
During his thirty-year tenure with Beacon Residential Management, Bill Stetson has been recognized as the force behind the success of the firm's portfolio. Bill is credited with designing, modernizing, maintaining and preserving a corporate portfolio that serves as a model for companies nationwide. His meticulous approach to portfolio management has helped Beacon significantly reduce operating expenses, increase marketability, improve cash flow, and create a variety of affordable housing options.
In addition to his key corporate role at Beacon, Bill is recognized as a dynamic member of some of the area's most important professional organizations. Bill is actively involved with a number of real estate industry groups including the Greater Boston Real Estate Board and the Rental Housing Association. He is currently president of the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association and a board member of Caritas Communities, Inc., the National Housing Conference and the National Multi-Housing Council. While serving as industry representative on the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency's Management Policy & Review Committee, he was instrumental in developing the minority trainee and capital needs assessment programs.
SETH RAVITZ
Vice President, Design and Construction
Seth Ravitz brings almost twenty years of experience to his role at Beacon, including background in environmental remediation, asbestos management and abatement projects, and design compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. He manages development planning and the construction process for mixed-income housing communities.
Through the course of his carees, Seth has played a key role in a number of notable projects including the restoration of the New York Public Library, the development of Cornell University's Performing Arts Center, and a 22-story condominium residence in New York City.
Seth joined Beacon in 1988 as director of planning and construction. His responsibilities included overseeing development planning, construction, and new property transitions for Beacon's portfolio of 120 buildings nationwide, including the construction of Boston's landmark 75 State Street buildings and the historic South Station Headhouse.
A licensed construction supervisor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Seth is a member of numerous industry organizations including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Association of Real Estate Trusts.
DAVID GREENBLATT
Director of Project Finance
A certified public accountant, David Greenblatt brings more than sixteen years of real estate financial management and acquisition experience to Beacon. His responsibilities include securing development and long-term financing for Beacon Residential Properties' projects, providing financial analyses, tracking costs, and evaluating pro forma project and investor cash flow. David came to Beacon from Cognetics Real Estate, a nationally recognized market research firm, where he served as managing director of real estate services.
David began his career at the Boston office of Coopers & Lybrand, then moved to Bank of Boston as assistant vice president of the real estate division. In 1996, he joined Liberty Properties, a development firm, where he served as CFO. He later served as vice president of acquisitions and portfolio management at Liberty Real Estate, a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, where he focused on syndication management, performance review, and strategic planning.
DAVID KEENE
Project Controller
David Keene has spent his career in the financial management side of the real estate industry. As Beacon's controller, David creates and evaluates accounting systems, monitors insurance for the firm's development projects, and provides timely documentation for review by community partners, housing authorities, HUD, and private financing sources.
David came to Beacon form the Abrams Management Company, a firm that develops and manages subsidized housing, primarily in inner city setting in both Boston and Providence. Earlier in his career, he was associated with the Boston Financial Group, one of the nation's largest developers of affordable housing.
ELLEN MORREALE
Corporate Controller
With more than fifteen years of accounting experience, Ellen Morreale is responsible for the coordination of all corporate financial functions including audits, investor services, insurance, budgets, and special projects. Ellen also oversees financial statement preparation and cash management operations for Beacon's various entities. Prior to her current position at Beacon, Ellen served as property accountant and later as the firm's assistant controller where her responsibilities included preparing and reviewing all financial and performance reports for BRM and supervising the accounting staff.
Before joining Beacon, Ellen was the senior property accountant for the Congress Realty Company. From 1985-1987, she managed accounts for Curtis Realty, a property management and development corporation. Ellen hold a B.S.B.A. from Northern Arizona University and an MBA from Suffolk University.
RICHARD BIGHINATTI
Director, BRM
Richard Bighinatti has served several key positions since joining Beacon Residential Management in 1970. Early in his career with Beacon, he managed Colonial Estates, a 500-unit complex and Baystate Place, a 347-unit development for seniors, both in Springfield, Massachusetts.
In the mid-1970s, Richard transferred to Virginia to produce management and leasing plans for three major community developments. In addition, he was responsible for managing ans successfully modernizing Beacon properties - nearly 1,000 housing units - in Pennsylvania and Florida.
A certified property manager and notary public, Richard is an active member of the Institute of Real Estate Management. He was a founding member and former president of the Virginia Apartment and Management Association. He is a current member of the association's board of directors. Richard serves as the regional vice president of the National Apartment Association and a board member of the Richmond Apartment and Management Association. He is a founder, board member, and former chairman of the Virginia Technical Institute Residential Property Management School.
JUDITH EPSTEIN
Director, BRM
Judy Epstein has served in various capacities at Beacon for nearly twenty years. She specializes in investment analysis, acquisition modeling and planning.
Judy is credited with Beacon's successful implementation of the Emergency Low-Income Housing Preservation Act at Boston's Georgetowne development and the Colonial Estates development in Springfield, Massachusetts. The preservation of these properties was accomplished in record time with benefits flowing to the investor partners and residents. Her many accomplishments also include the refinancing of two Section 8 developments under the MHFA Section 8 Recapitalization Program and negotiating the direct purchase of natural gas for the Beacon portfolio.
Through her work on the Georgetown project, Judy developed one of New England's first Computer Learning Centers for residents. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recognizes the Georgetowne Computer Learning Center as a model program for developments around the region.
Judy is the 1998 president of the Rental Housing Association, as well as a member of the National Multi-housing Council, The National Housing Council and the Greater Boston Real Estate Board.
MARY ELLEN MCPHEE
Director, BRM
Mary Ellen McPhee is responsible for directing client services and for the implementation of regulatory agency guidelines and systems. During her more than twenty years with Beacon, Mary Ellen developed an effective lead paint abatement and improvement program for the 967 units at Georgetowne Houses in Boston. The program - which abated lead paint and primer in door frames and trim - was successfully and safely completed without disrupting residents.
A certified property manager and a licensed Massachusetts real estate broker, Mary Ellen is an active member of the New England Assisted Housing Management Association, the Institute of Real Estate Management, and the Greater Boston Real Estate Board.
MICHAEL POLITE
Redevelopment Director
Michael polite brings an impressive background in public and private housing and economic development to Beacon. His experience includes program management, minority and micro-business development, and community outreach. As redevelopment director for Allequippa Terrace, he is responsible for managing all issues related to the redevelopment including architecture, engineering, financing, obtaining local, state, and federal approvals, resident services, and economic development.
Before joining Beacon in 1996, Michael served as director of economic development at the City of Pittsburgh's Urban Redevelopment Authority. In this senior administrative position, he oversaw an annual loan found budget in excess of $25 million and managed commercial and industrial development projects. Additional responsibilities included assessing recommendations for public investment, conducting feasibility analyses, and designing financing strategies for the Authority.
NINA SCHWARZSCHILD
Redevelopment Director
Nina Schwarzschild's diverse experience in affordable housing, city government, and finance make her valuable addition to the Beacon team. As redevelopment director of Elm Haven, she is responsible for managing all issues related to the redevelopment including architecture, engineering, financing, obtaining local, state, and federal approvals, resident services, and economic development.
Her work experience includes the redevelopment of public housing in Kentucky and the acquisition and restoration of a 92-unit apartment complex in Connecticut. Closer to home, Nina contributed to both the development of residential townhouses in the South End and the renovation of 70 housing units in Roxbury, a joint venture involving, community organizations.
As project manager with The Community Builders form 1995 - 1997, Nina oversaw the construction and renovation of affordable housing. During the late 1980's, she served as the executive director of the Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation.
She received both her BA and her MBA degrees from Harvard University.
PETER WOOD
Redevelopment Director
Peter Wood brings exceptional background in community housing to Beacon. His experience includes executive positions with both national and local community based organizations. AS redevelopment director for Southwood Square, he is responsible for managing all issues related to the redevelopment including architecture, engineering, financing, obtaining local, state, and federal approvals, resident services, and economic development.
Peter joined Beacon in 1998 after serving as the first executive director of the Mutual Housing Association of Southwestern Connecticut. As chief executive officer, he established policy, developed programming, and directed day-to-day operations of this not-for-profit agency.
Earlier in his career, Peter served as executive director of the Mutual Housing Association of New York (MHANY), a non-profit collaborative comprised of city agencies, community institutions, and housing advocates. His work at MHANY earned him a Charles H. Revson Foundation fellowship to Columbia University.
Peter holds a Masters degree in City and Regional Planning form Pratt Institute. He has served as an advisor to Chemical Bank's Community Development Group, the Pratt Center, and the Connecticut Housing Coalition.
GINA MARTINEZ
Development Associate
Gina Martinez is actively involved in the management and financing of Beacon projects. She is responsible for identifying major founding sources and developing homeownership programs for low-income housing projects.
Gina gained background in real estate through her work in city and state government. She began her career at the Massachusetts Legislature's House Committee on Ways and Means where she developed policy and founding strategies. Later, she joined the City of Boston's Public Facilities Department as a project manager. Her work there focused on the creation of affordable housing and economic development. Gina also worked at the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), where she was responsible for the redevelopment of eleven HUD properties. In addition to collaborating with resident groups, development consultants, architects, and HUD staff, she identified more than $11 million in bond financing for multi-family housing developments.
KIMBERLY MARIO
Marketing Communications Director
As marketing communications director for Beacon Residential Properties, Kim Mario is responsible for developing promotional materials, redevelopment proposals, and presentations, as well as coordinating special events and community outreach activities.
Kim has ten years of experience on planning and implementing special projects. Most recently, she supervised the planning of a public re-dedication ceremony honoring the rehabilitation of Mandela Homes, an affordable housing development in Roxbury, MA. She also coordinated the start-up business operation for the Mandela Residents Cooperative Association, Inc., a non-profit resident organization formed to promote safe, secure, and affordable housing within the Roxbury community.
Prior to her current position, Kim served as special projects coordinator for BRP and legal secretary for the firm, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. of Boston. She received a B.S.B.A. in Management from Suffolk University.
