4C — October 30 - November 12, 2015 — Executive Women in Business — M id A tlantic
Real Estate Journal
www.marejournal.com
Executive Women in Business
Janet Bortz, Dorothy LaGreca and Joni Sweetwood The Kislak Company, Inc. recognizes its top women in business
Janet Bortz Vice President Years with company: 17 Years in field: 19 Real estate organizations/ affiliations: NJAA, NJ Professional Real Estate Women, and EWGA
Dorothy LaGreca SVP, Commercial Sales & Leasing Years with company/firm: 1 Years in field: 34 Years in real estate industry: 34
Joni Sweetwood Senior Vice President Years with company: 19 Years in field: 19 Real estate organizations/ affiliations: NJAA
W W hat was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2015? I closed an industrial sale in Newark, which
hat was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2015? Dealing with a “defeasance mortgage situation” What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2015? The sale of 126 apartments in conjunction with “flipping” 43 of them and dealing with defeasance How do you manage the work/life balance? I work like a dog during business hours and try not to work during “personal hours” What impact has social media/networking had on your business? Print ads are no longer as popular. All advertising is through our website and “blasts” Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in, about your current position andwhy you chose the field/profession you are in today. I was a vice president and REO portfolio man- ager for Midlantic Bank and was previously with The Howard Savings Bank. While at Midlantic, the future was uncertain as PNC was purchasing Midlantic. A colleague recommended me to Kislak, which I joined in 1996. What were some of your early goals and did anything happen in you career/profession to change them? My goal has always been to establish and maintain a reputation of excellence. Once people believe in you and know that they can rely on you, business follows. What qualities and/or personality traits do you feel make you most successful in your profession? My perseverance, determination, analytical, and organizational skills have contributed to my success. I don’t take no for an answer. What challenges and/or obstacles do you feel you needed to overcome to become as success- ful as you are today? It’s hard not to take it personally when you feel you aren’t being treated fairly. I work hard at not taking it personally. Tell us about your family. I am married with two children: Julie, 27, and Matt, 25. I love that Julie is following in my footsteps at Kislak and is doing well. Matt is at Cerberus in their real estate investment group. If you are the primary caregiver to your chil- dren what obstacles/challenges do youmeet on a day to day basis? Given the ages of my children, I do not face the daily caregiver challenges. I am focused on helping Julie and Matt develop their careers. What word of advice would you give to a woman about to go into your allied field? I believe that if a woman is mentally tough (not easily intimidated) this can be a great profession. It is also important to be an expert in what you are selling so that your customers believe and trust in you. n W
hat was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2015? As a licensed agent in both NY and NJ I list fromNorthern NJ to NYHudson Valley markets. This offers my clients listings covering desirable North Jersey investment opportunities as well as higher cap, no rent control Hudson Valley investment properties. I offer both market options, investment cap choice and a broad reach for prospective buyers outside local markets. What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2015? Continuing to get the lowest cap rates for my ex- clusive listings. Sold Village Place Apartments in Goshen, NY for $219,000 per unit, a 5 cap, which was a record price for Orange County, NY. Notable Ber- gen County 5 cap in Edgewater selling at $194,000 per unit and a 5 cap. What impact has social media/networking had on your business? Excellent. The client reach is extensive and im- mediate and facilitates all aspects of the transaction from listing to closing. The ability to use digital as well as unconventional marketing serves my clients with a larger and qualified buyer pool. Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in, about your current position andwhy you chose the field/profession you are in today. About 18 years ago, I changed careers, moving from product marketing to real estate. After working two years in real estate development, I joined The Kislak Company, Inc., a real estate brokerage firm special- izing in investment property, multifamily, retail and office, as a sales associate in 2001 and was promoted to vice president in 2006. What were some of your early goals and did anything happen in you career/profession to change them? My initial career objective was to work in product marketing with a national company. My entry began in sales and after a few years, I joined the Continen- tal Group, working in marketing management. After ten years in the industry, I was looking for a more entrepreneurial career. Investment real estate was and remains a great fit for my skill set and personal objectives. What qualities and/or personality traits do you feel make you most successful? Organized, assertive, persistent, thorough and hard working. Enjoying people and having a sense of humor and a realistic and intuitive feel for what is required to make a deal. What challenges/obstacles do you feel you needed to overcome to become as successful as you are today ? Persevering during the first few years when all you seem to experience is rejection. Relationship development and being a quick study of the total investment process, including the financial, legal
was environmentally challenged for over 50 years. How do you contribute to your company and/ or the industry? My primary position is to bring in new business, whether as a listing of an office/commercial property/ for sale or lease, or to bring in a requirement/need for a purchase or lease of office/ industrial property and to close that transaction. How do you manage the work/life balance? The work/life balance is easy because the two complement each other. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career? Vincent La Greca, Sr. Vice President Feist & Feist Realty Corp. My Husband. Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in, about your current position andwhy you chose the field/profession you are in today. After teaching school 10 years in a junior high school, and having a science background, I discovered commercial real estate. New Jersey began to attract many Pharmaceutical/Bio Tech companies needing facilities, and I wanted to be part of that search. What were some of your early goals and did anything happen in you career/profession to change them? My early goals were to succeed in the industry to a level that my fellow professionals would want to work with me. The success came, and I realized I loved the work, not as work but as a legacy. The many transplant foundation facility searches we closed, gave opportunities to humanity at a time when the life sustaining knowledge of the medical professionals, chemists, surgeons, doctors, nurses, & researchers, could provide a level of quality of life never seen before. I was honored to be part of that new science/industry in N.J. Over many years, we participated in the search for facilities which would serve the medical world and provide quality of life for people otherwise injured or suffering. . What qualities and/or personality traits do you feel make you most successful in your profession? The challenge to one’s imagination, to find facilities for companies or represent, sell, or lease properties, is invigorating. Finding the match. What was the most defining moment for you in the profession you are currently in? The most defining moment was to realize every transaction has a rhythm and when that rhythm isn’t there or is lost, it is almost impossible to regroup. Do you feel being a woman is an advantage, disadvantage or no advantage in today’s busi- ness world? Why? Why not? I feel being a woman is an advantage in the world, not only in the business world. My Mother taught
continued on page 16C
continued on page 16C
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker