22A — October 28 - November 10, 2016 — Executive Women in Business — M id A tlantic
Real Estate Journal
www.marejournal.com
Executive Women in Business Janet Bortz and Joni Sweetwood The Kislak Co. recognizes its top women in business
Janet Bortz Vice President The Kislak Company, Inc. Years with company/firm: 18 Years in field/industry: 20 Real estate organizations/affiliations: NJAA, NJ Professional Real Estate Women and EWGA (Executive Women Golf Association)
Joni Sweetwood Senior Vice President The Kislak Company, Inc. Years with company/firm: 20 Years in field: 20 Years in real estate industry: 20 Real estate organizations/affiliations: NJAA
hat was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2016? Continuing to list and sell investment transactions in NY and NJ offering my clients and prospective sellers 20 years of investment mar- keting experience and geographic coverage of prime metro areas. Further a vari- ety of cap rates, stable and value add offerings and non rent control properties. What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2016? I Sold multiple apartment complexes in the Hudson Valley ranging from A properties selling for over $200,000 per unit to value add at $65,000 per unit. Area deals included Wappingers Fall, Poughkeepsie and Kingston. Office and retail properties with a closed Bergen County 60,000 s/f single tenant office property selling at a 6.5 cap. What impact has social media / networking had on your business? It has had an excellent impact. The client reach is extensive and immediate and facilitates all aspects of the transaction from listing to closing. The ability to use digital as well as conventional marketing serves my clients with a larger and more qualified buyer pool. Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in, about your current position and why you choose the field/pro- fession you are in today? 19 years ago I changed careers, moving from product marketing to real estate. After working two years in real estate development, I joined The Kislak Com- pany, Inc.— a real estate brokerage firm specializing in investment property, multifamily, retail and office — as a sales associate in 2001 and was promoted to vice president in 2006. Since then I have continued to rank as a top producer. 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 Continental 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 unique qualities and/or personality traits do you feel make you most successful in your profession? I am organized, assertive, persistent, thorough and hard working. I also enjoy people and have a sense of humor and a realistic and intuitive feel for what is required to make a deal. What challenges and/or 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 is a challenge as well as relationship development and being a quick study of the total investment process, including the financial, legal and envi- ronmental aspects. Do you feel there are any differences in the way that men and women develop business relationships and if so, what activities or venues do you participate in? Everyone is unique in their skill development and social strengths. It varies by the individual, not sex origin. I participate in the industry associations and outside business and sports activities including golf and tennis. Currently a member of the NJAA, the NJ Professional Real Estate Women and the EWGA W I’m Married. My husband, Edward, is an attorney. We have two sons, Jason, 33, in consumer goods marketing as a brand manager, and Mark, 30, a real estate agent in Manhattan, NY What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of commercial real estate or your allied field? Work hard and stay humble enough to listen and learn. n (Executive Women’s Golf Association). Tell us a little about your family.
hat was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2016? Selling “The Gateway,” a new highly-acclaimed transit oriented development with 57 luxury apartments and 9,000 square feet of Class A retail space in downtown South Orange, Essex County, New Jersey, for $32,775,000. With a per unit price well over $500,000, the sale of The Gateway exceeded the previous record for the highest sale price per unit for an apart- ment building in all of Essex County by more than $100,000 per unit according to data available from CoStar. The property is located immediately west of the South Orange train station, approximately 18 miles from Manhattan. W
The Gateway rendering
What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2016? The sale of “The Gateway” as it was truly a transformative project for South Orange Village. For years prior to the seller’s involvement, the site was a long- shuttered car dealer. It sat vacant and in disrepair, negatively impacting the west side of South Orange Village. In 2011, I facilitated the sale of the property from the lender who had foreclosed on the prior owner to the developer/seller. Thus, it was a “full circle” moment culminating in an extraordinary sale of an extraordinary property. The seller is also a friend and this deal was the latest in a string of successful deals we have done together. We are currently work- ing on another development and I look forward to completing that transaction and many more.
“I believe that if a woman is mentally tough (not easily intimidated) this can be a great profession.”
How do you contribute to your company and / or the industry? I think my contribution to the company is my enthusiasm, appreciation and love for the business, my clients and co-workers. 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, everything else falls into place. What unique 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. People know I care about their success and challenges. Tell us a little about your family. I am married with two grown children: Julie 28 and Matt 26. I love that Julie continues to do well at Kislak and Matt is exploring whether to stay in real estate finance or pursue other passions. What outside activities do you enjoy during you free time? Normally I love to bike and play tennis. Unfortunately I’m now on the injured list. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young woman about to go into the field of commercial real estate or your allied field? I believe that if a woman is mentally tough (not easily intimidated) this can be a great profession. This job offers both flexibility and good pay. n
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