Send us a text

Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interview with Neil Cohen of Barsh and Cohen P.C.. www.barsh-cohen.com

Neil Cohen, Managing Partner and President of Barsh and Cohen, P.C. I’ve had the privilege of leading this firm through a period of growth and modernization while staying true to its deep family roots and client-first values. My background as a collegiate athlete taught me discipline, strategy, and teamwork—principles I apply daily in my legal practice and in leading our team.
Barsh and Cohen has grown to serve clients across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and nationally for title and equity lending services. We’ve built long-standing relationships with banks, mortgage lenders, developers, and title companies by consistently delivering both legal excellence and personal attention. Some accomplishments include:
- Over the past year, I have led several complex and high-stakes real estate matters that underscore my exceptional capabilities and impact. Among them is The Alice, a high-profile mixed-use development at 203 Lowell Street in Wilmington, Massachusetts. I served as lead counsel to the owner during the acquisition, title work, and construction financing.
- I also distinguished myself in a significant Land Court matter before the Chief Justice and Chief Title Examiner of the Massachusetts Land Court. The case involved the reformation of a certificate of title and the certification of assignments and foreclosure documents at the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds.
- In another standout engagement, I acted as title counsel for a publicly traded, multi- state cannabis operator during a $62 million financing transaction. The deal spanned five properties across three states, requiring deep coordination between local title standards and lender requirements.

Send us a text

Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Jen Smith of AT Work Collaborative. Jen talks about her journey to get to where she is today. For more information on Jen's weekly news letter with industry events and job opportunities email her: jens@atworkcollaborative.com or go to www.atworkcollaborative.com .
The At Work Collaborative, people are sometimes surprised when I say my role isn’t about the nuts and bolts of furniture. My real focus is assembling the best team of people to help our clients meet their goals. I believe my job is to make other people’s jobs easier, and I do that by connecting, listening, and showing up. That’s where my passion for community involvement, inclusion, and mental health comes into play. I’m all about making things easier for our clients. Contract furniture can be complicated, so I use my network to connect the dots—bringing in the right people and resources to move projects forward smoothly. I help assemble the best team for the job and make sure our clients feel supported every step of the way, from planning to install. My goal is to take the stress off their plate and help them get exactly what they need. Its on me to use emotional intelligence to anticipate and understand the client’s needs, and to hear what they’re saying without saying it. I also create a safe space for the client to give feedback because when we improve everyone wins.

Outside of work, I stay active in the industry and community. I co-chair United Way’s Real Estate Celebration, serve on At Work Collaborative’s DEI committee, and I’m a proud Big Sister mentor of 10 years. I also send out a bi-weekly AEC event calendar to over 1,000 people—because I believe everyone should have a seat at the table and know where the table is.
I’ve also co-founded two fun, inclusive networking events: the Bush League Ski Club, which gathers about 400 people each winter, and the annual Croquet After Party, now in its 4th year, which brings together about 300 people across the industry. On a personal note, I love travel, live music, skiing, golf—and I’m always down for an adventure.
Ultimately, I’m here to connect, contribute, and help build stronger, more inclusive communities—one relationship at a time.

Send us a text

Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Mark Silverman of Mark's Moving & Storage, Inc.. https://www.marksmoving.com marksfurniturefoundation.org (508) 889-0640 . In 1979, Mark was a student at Northeastern University and while many college students were spending money on their social lives, he needed to spend my money on school. But first he had to earn it.
Students needed moving help every semester, so he decided to become a mover. He had never worked as a mover. He just purchased a small van with a credit card hoping to make a few extra dollars to pay tuition.
Eventually, the business became Mark’s sole focus. One Man and a Van became Mark’s Moving & Storage. Over the years, he recognized the need for a steadfast philosophy, so he built the business around guaranteeing 100 percent customer satisfaction.
Nearly 46 years later, He is still looking for opportunities to help people.
Mark also created Marks Northeastern Furniture Foundation and collects over 12 trailer loads of lightly used and new goods each year and works with Greater Boston non-profits to share that treasure with local families in need.

Mark also founded TheStorageCompany.com, a premier source for warehousing and transportation of medical equipment, machinery, fixtures, and high-value products.

Additionally, Mark invested in and manages Massachusetts Portable Storage, a company that offers convenient and flexible portable storage options for short-term and long-term needs.
The company has grown the company from a small local business to a regional leader, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Massachusetts and beyond.

Send us a text

Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Joseph Aquino President of JAACRES & Author of Memoir of a Watch Salesman A NYC Real Estate Story available: www.memoirsofawatchsalesman.com

Discount coupon: 007

Joseph A. Aquino, President of JAACRES, is one of the most accomplished and respected names in commercial real estate. With a career spanning 40 years, Joseph has built an extraordinary track record representing luxury brands, fast fashion retailers, restaurants, industrial users, hotels and blue-chip office tenants in New York City and all major U.S. markets — from Beverly Hills to Miami, Boston, Las Vegas, Atlanta., and beyond.
His unique strength lies in his versatility. Joseph is a rare broker who excels at both tenant and landlord representation. He understands the needs of the C-suite and speaks their language, making him a trusted advisor to CEOs, founders, and ownership groups alike. Whether he’s guiding an international brand’s U.S. expansion or curating the ideal tenant mix for a Class A office building or luxury property on a high-street, Joseph brings strategy, integrity, and results to every deal.
Over the years, he has worked with some of the most influential property owners and developers in the country — the visionaries behind many of Manhattan’s most iconic addresses. Joseph was the driving force behind numerous notable leases and building sales across Manhattan and Fifth Avenue, including retail & townhouses on Madison Avenue, off Fifth Avenue, and luxury flagships on 57th Street, Soho, Nolita and more.
Joseph is also the Founder and President of The SBS Group, a global business development network connecting luxury retailers with property owners across key markets. The SBS Group operates in cities like Paris, Rome, London, Barcelona, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Cape Town, Belfast, and Dublin, and brings together decision-makers from Europe, Asia, North America, and South Africa.
What sets Joseph apart is his global perspective, his deep understanding of both retail and office markets, and his relentless commitment to helping clients succeed — whether by identifying emerging opportunities, negotiating favorable terms, or guiding a brand’s entry into a new market.
Joseph Aquino doesn’t just make deals — he builds legacies.

Send us a text

Rick Kaplan Host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Deborah Smith Co-Founder & CEO of The CenterCap Group. Deb is a trailblazer at the crossroads of real estate and finance. She’s passionate about real estate, all its asset classes, and mostly in finding the best solutions for her clients. That said, the size of her firm, her ability to see around corners, and capability to nimbly operate on all sides of a transaction makes way for creative transactions. She gets outside the box and is almost always out ahead on trends before the rest of the industry. She’d be a wonderful guest to discuss early trends and what she’s seeing and hearing on the ground.

Send us a text

Rick Kaplan Host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast Interviews Andrew Lafuente of Lafuente Sign & Awning. Andrew started working in the trade at just 12 years old, as an apprentice, and it sparked a lifelong passion for craftsmanship and design. In 2015, I founded Lafuente Sign & Awning, and since then, the company has grown into one of the premier custom awning manufacturers in Greater Boston. Something very important to me throughout the years has been making my business successful enough that I am able to spend more time with my daughter. We serve residential, commercial, and industrial clients, and I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done. One recent example is the Boston sports mural and signing at Title City barbers, where many notable Boston sports players frequent for their haircuts. Our innovative designs, combined with our commitment to quality, have really set us apart. Over the years, we’ve modernized the way awnings are built, incorporating new materials and techniques that push the boundaries of traditional construction. It's been a true labor of love to see my company grow and evolve.

Send us a text

Rick Kaplan host of NEREJ/NYREJ Podcast interviews Ruberto, Israel & Weiner Attorney's Adam Barnosky and Chris Agostino. Adam Barnosky chairs RIW’s Restaurant & Hospitality Practice Group and handles alcoholic beverage licensing, commercial real estate, and corporate transactions for the retail, restaurant, and hospitality industries; including the representation of restaurant groups, hotels, sports and entertainment companies, food halls, retailers, hospitality lenders, and award-winning chefs and operators. He completed the Boston Future Leaders program in 2023 and was recently named a 2024 Top Lawyer by Boston Magazine for the 4th year in a row and a 2024 Massachusetts Super Lawyer.

Chris Agostino is a shareholder and serves as business counsel to clients across a range of industries, including commercial real estate, construction, lending, manufacturing, hospitality, retail sales and services, and transportation, including carriers and brokerages. His practice covers the lifecycle of most privately held businesses from entity formation, joint ventures, contracts, employment matters, and commercial finance, to mergers and acquisitions, business succession planning, "business divorces" and creditors’ rights. He was named a Top Lawyer by Boston Magazine in 2024.

Send us a text

Rick Kaplan Host of NEREJ / NYREJ Podcast Interviews Kyle Dupell of Erland Construction. Kyle talks about his Journey in the industry and how Advanced Technology and Life Sciences have grown into our industry. As Project Executive at Erland Construction, I bring an extensive background and a robust client network in the lab and manufacturing space. My academic journey began at Norwich University, where I earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Architecture. These foundational experiences instilled in me a deep understanding of the built environment and the importance of collaboration across disciplines.

Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of working for several organizations spanning construction management, real estate development, and architecture. These diverse roles have equipped me with a holistic perspective on project execution, enabling me to navigate complex challenges and deliver value-driven results for clients.

Since joining Erland, I’ve been dedicated to enhancing our advanced technology and life sciences offerings. One of my key contributions has been reestablishing our COLAB Solutions model, a platform that fosters seamless collaboration and innovation in project delivery. This initiative has strengthened our ability to address the unique demands of highly specialized facilities, emphasizing efficiency, adaptability, and client satisfaction.