Real Estate Power Players

Ed D’Ambrosio is a seasoned broker and effective negotiator with years of experience in sales and marketing. Ed is a native Long Islander and he possesses an intimate knowledge of the real estate market. Ed works under the theory that “superior services get extraordinary results,” and has been recognized by his colleagues as a strong leader, and a motivating individual who is patient, reliable, and always available.

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
I can remember it like it was yesterday. My sister Dottie had just gotten her real estate license. I was leaving on a business trip doing a trade show for a clothing manufacturer. She said, “you should get your license”, and I laughed. I replied, “sure!” Years later I was working at my sister’s real estate company first as an agent, then managing, then a regional director, and then a senior managing director. The rest is history.

What’s the best thing about working in Long Island real estate?
I can work in vast areas and have easy access to communities throughout Queens and Long Island. I have the pleasure of working and building lifelong relationships with such a diversified group of friends, business colleagues, buyers, sellers, builders, and investors in Long Island. Long Island offers a wide range of price points from starter homes to mansions. 

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
I Love all areas of Long Island. It has so many great communities, restaurants, beaches, golf courses, marinas, fishing, horseback riding, bicycle paths, etc. From the South and North Shore of Long Island all the way to the East End, Orient Point to Montauk. Some notable towns are Port Washington, Manhasset, Roslyn, Garden City, Bayshore, Long Beach, Freeport, Huntington, Patchogue, Riverhead, Southold, Greenport, Fire Island, and of course the Hamptons. I love Long Island.

As owner and broker of Branch Real Estate Group, Molly Deegan is a veteran real estate investor and businesswoman. Professionally, she combines a passion for real estate and business with over 25 years of experience in marketing, sales and management. Molly’s awards include Long Island Press’s Power Women in Business 2019, Long Island Business News 50 Most Influential Women in Business 2020, Long Island Herald Premier Businesswoman 2022, and the 2023 R.E.A.L Estate Award honoring individuals in achievement and leadership .

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
A woman I knew who owned a successful real estate brokerage approached me. She said I reminded her of herself and wanted to see if I was interested in purchasing and taking over her brokerage. Shortly after beginning the process with her, I realized I wanted something I could build with my own voice, ideas, and values. That is how Branch Real Estate Group was born. For me, real estate is simply about helping people.

What’s the best thing about working in Long Island real estate?
I would say the diversity of the people and the geography of Long Island itself. From the beaches to the parks and the great neighborhoods – not to mention the close proximity to NYC, one the cultural capitals of the world – Long Island has everything anyone could want, all at your fingertips!

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
The North Fork. I have a second home in Mattituck, and prior to getting into Real Estate, I ran the front of house of Bedell Cellars, a North Fork winery, which gave me a deep appreciation and knowledge of Long Island’s wine country. The country roads lined with farm stands, charming downtowns, and of course the Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay, offer a slower pace of life which makes me realize how precious life is.

Mr. Peter Elkowitz joined Long Island Housing Partnership in 1989, and is responsible for the overall operation of LIHP.  He holds an MS degree in policy analysis and public management. He completed the senior executives program in state and local government at Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. He is a member of Energeia Partnership. He serves on Boards statewide and nationally. He was Chair of FHLB-NY Affordable Housing Advisory Council and member of the LI Regional Planning Council.

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
I was interested in affordable housing and its effect on economic development and the workforce. When we purchased our first home, interest rates were in the teens. We worked long hours to support our home. The cost of housing on Long Island has significantly risen and has priced many individuals and families out of the market. This has created greater stress on employers, as the cost of housing and taxes are limiting the employee pool.

What’s the best thing about working in Long Island real estate?
In my position as president and CEO of the Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc., the best feeling is seeing individuals and families buy a decent and safe affordable home, or secure a decent and safe affordable rental, in a community of their choice on Long Island.

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
What I enjoy most about Long Island is the geographic diversity. On the East End are the agricultural vistas, vineyards, and other experiences; in Port Jefferson, Patchogue or Farmingdale, you can enjoy the downtown offerings, or you can take a ferry across Long Island Sound and view the North Shore bluffs; or you can walk along Jones Beach and take in a concert – there are so many things you can experience on Long Island. 

Joe started his career as an oil trader on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In 1995, he developed his first spec home. In 1996, Joe merged his finance expertise, and his passion for construction, to create Farrell Building Company, which became the most renowned building company on the East End for over 28 years. Farrell has since diversified its real estate portfolio with divisions across many states, featuring custom homes, commercial space, rental communities, estates, and storage facilities

Michael Florio was appointed CEO of Long Island Builders Institute in January 2023. Prior to that, Mike had an extensive career in government, policy, and politics at both the local and federal level. He most recently served as chief of staff to Congressman Tom Suozzi, representing parts of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens. Previously he served in various roles in Nassau County government, worked as a lobbyist in Washington, DC, and led several winning political campaigns.

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
I have always had an interest and appreciation for the building and real estate industry on Long Island, because I feel it’s such a unique market. As one of the first suburban communities in America, Long Island must continue to evolve in order to grow and provide opportunity for both young and old. As CEO of LIBI, I have a voice in advocating for the future of Long Island.

What’s the best thing about working in Long Island real estate?
I think the best thing about the real estate community on Long Island is the people. Our builders and developers live and work here and are a part of our communities. They have a vested stake in the future success of Long Island. 

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
I love going to Caumsett State Park in Lloyd Harbor. My family and I love hiking there, and then enjoying the view across the sound. We also love the south shore beaches of Fire Island.  Sometimes you get lost in the day to day, but there is so much natural beauty surrounding us on Long Island that you need to take a moment to appreciate it. 

Michael Freedberg is a real estate professional. He’s a broker, owner, property manager, and developer. His industrial real estate brokerage focuses on Western Suffolk. His company, Suffolk Industrial Properties, grew out of a desire to build a beautiful business. He believes that when you decide to build a beautiful business, you focus on your reputation and your brand. It is a slow, continuous process: helping people everyday, putting the customer first, loving your product.

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
I spent twenty years in the children’s furniture industry. Along the way I invested in multiple commercial buildings. It’s a great way to build wealth, and I loved every aspect of it.  When it was time to leave the furniture industry, commercial real estate brokerage was a natural step. I already knew how to buy and how to lease space for myself.

What’s the best thing about working in Long Island real estate?
Long Island has many patterns. Companies start out in Queens and Brooklyn, and then move east. They start in Nassau, and if they get bigger, they move to Suffolk. There is great diversity of industrial users in Long Island. One of my favorite observations is seeing so many first generation business owners find great success. I am amazed by people who can barely speak English running great companies and buying buildings.

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
I spent a majority of my time centered around Farmingdale. It makes sense to me.  Farmingdale, Deer Park, West Babylon, and Amityville are the border towns. They’re in Suffolk, but border Nassau. The taxes are substantially lower in Suffolk. So, for example, an industrial building in Farmingdale (Suffolk) may have taxes of $2 per square feet while the same building in Plainview (Nassau) will be $5 per square feet.

Robert Gilman is a partner and co-leader of Anchin’s Real Estate Group. He has 30+ years of experience serving real estate owners, developers, and operators in commercial and residential spaces. He advises on day-to-day operations, tax saving opportunities, and transactional support that includes due diligence on the acquisition and disposition of real estate. His experience also extends to reviewing and analyzing operating agreements, and assisting with client investor relations for both domestic and international investors.

Rob Gitto is the vice President of The Gitto Group. Working alongside his father, the father-son team have taken a comprehensive approach to development, with over one million square feet of retail, multifamily, and office space developed on Long Island, with an additional 350,000 square feet in the development pipeline. With acute development, construction, financial, and property management skills, Rob and his team provide streamlined and cost-effective processes for growth across the region.  

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
After graduating from college I was looking for an opportunity within the entertainment field.  While interviewing for various entertainment positions, I was fortunate enough to take on the position of a building superintendent for an apartment complex my father was opening near my home. While working at this property, I began to be exposed to the various other aspects of the business and quickly fell in love with the industry.  

What’s the best thing about working in Long Island real estate?
Long Island real estate is a strong, competitive, and tight marketplace. The unique real estate and construction challenges on the island make each day quite interesting. There’s never a dull moment and always new opportunities that seem to present themselves.    

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
I am partial to the place where I live and work, the Port Jefferson/Setauket area.  

Since 1970, Sister Pat has been a part of the Islip community, serving and advocating for the poor. As a result of work, and learning from those she’s served, she and Sister Kathleen Nolan founded Mercy Haven in 1985, where she continues serving as executive director. Mercy Haven began with a group of concerned citizens who, with S. Pat, responded aggressively to the need for clean, decent, and affordable housing for persons living with mental illness.

How did you get involved in the real estate industry?
I was working at St. Patrick’s Hospitality Center in Bay Shore, which had become ‘home’ for people recently mainstreamed from psychiatric hospitals. In 1985, the town intended to close the Baybright Hotel, home to over 100 persons from these hospitals, including friends we served. We learned quickly about real estate and government, in an attempt to purchase and save Baybright. From this effort, Mercy Haven formed, and now has 65 sites, housing 330 adults and children.

What’s the best thing about working in Long Island real estate?
Serving a need while improving a neighborhood. Many times, the homes we purchase are dilapidated, and need rehabilitation and beautification. This can mean completely knocking down irreparable properties and creating something new that will make our neighbors proud. When you work in affordable housing, you not only are involved in property management and real estate, you are also giving crisis populations the support they need in finding housing and improving their quality of life.

What’s your favorite area of Long Island?
I would say the South Shore, where there’s diversity in income and culture across towns. It’s where my career started, where the community came to care and advocate for the poor, first through St. Pat’s Hospitality Center, and where we are still very present. I have found that each of us can be ‘more than we ever thought we could be’ when we work with one another.

Michael J. Heller is a member of Rivkin Radler’s banking, corporate, and real estate practice groups, and has represented clients in these industries for over 25 years. He works with private clients in real estate development and corporate transactions. He serves on multiple boards, and is currently the president of the board of the Long Island chapter of The Risk Management Association. Michael supports several charities and nonprofit organizations. Long Island Business News recognized Michael with the Leadership in Law Partner Award in 2020.