4 — June 2026 — Thriving Under 30 — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
T hriving U nder 30 Introducing Edward DeSimone and Jeff Perkins Matthews ™ celebrates emerging leaders in commercial real estate
Edward DeSimone First Vice President & Director Years with company/firm: 6.8 Years in field: 6.8 Years in real estate industry: 7.2 Real estate organizations/affiliations: ICSC
Jeff Perkins Market Leader Years with company/firm: 4.6 Years in field: 4.6 Years in real estate industry: 4.6
What is your most notable project, deal, or transaction? One transaction that stands out is the $37.1 million sale of a 14-property Jiffy Lube portfolio across Georgia and South Carolina. The client was a quick lube operator look - ing to acquire both the business and the real estate simultaneously, a complex structure made even more challenging by a high cost-of-capital environment. To make the deal work, we executed a simultaneous sale-leaseback at closing, which effectively funded the business acquisition and eliminated the need for a large bank loan at a higher interest rate. It was a creative capital solution that required all parties working in lockstep, and getting it across the finish line was one of the most rewarding deals of my career. Who or what has been the strongest influence in your career? The col- leagues around me have shaped me more than anything else. In this business, you are only as good as the people you surround yourself with, and I have been fortunate to work alongside some truly driven and knowledgeable professionals throughout my career. Matthews ™ has a culture that attracts a certain type of person, someone who is hungry, competitive, and genuinely passionate about the work. That energy is contagious. Whether it was learning how to structure a complex deal, navigate a difficult negotiation, or simply carry myself with clients, so much of what I know came from watching and working alongside the people around me. Commercial real estate is not an industry you can learn from a textbook. You learn it by doing, and you learn it faster when the people around you hold a high standard. That culture at Matthews has pushed me to continually improve and set the bar for what I expect of myself every day. continued on page 36
What is your most notable project, deal, or transaction? The next deal is the best deal. Every deal I’ve sold has its own unique story and set of challenges. The most memorable is certainly the first property I sold 10 months into my career. It showed a proof of concept and was a direct result of my personal efforts. Furthermore, the landlord with whom we successfully executed the sale remains a close client to this day. However, I do believe that in order to sustain success in this industry, you must celebrate the win, then you get back to work to find that next opportunity. Who or what has been the strongest influence in your career? Matthews ™ ‘s leadership has shaped who I am as both a broker and a leader. I have been fortunate to have people who genuinely invested in my develop - ment and took the time to show me what it means to operate at a high level in this industry. DeWitt Goss, Market Leader of the New York office, and Keegan Mulcahy, First Vice President and Market Leader, were instrumen - tal in building my foundation as an agent. Hutt Cooke, Managing Director of the Nashville office, showed me what it looks like to lead with integrity and purpose. David Harrington, President Bill Pedersen, Regional President of the East, and Kyle Matthews, CEO and Chairman, have set the standard for what this firm stands for and what we are all working toward. Each of these individu - als left a mark on how I approach the business, how I treat clients, and how I now work to develop the next generation of talent at Matthews. Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in today and why you chose the field/profession you are in today?
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