MANAGEMENT TEAM
The Woodmont Properties Management Team is complemented by a staff of professional marketing and sales specialists,
construction and design experts, accountants, attorneys, engineers, architects, financial analysts, legal advisors, real estate
developers, and a highly skilled office staff, all of whom are fully committed to the thorough and effective completion of our
development and building projects.
Principals
Donald Witmondt
Chairman, Woodmont Properties
As Chairman of Woodmont Properties, Mr. Witmondt has been active in the real estate industry in New Jersey for more than 43 years. Throughout his career, he has purchased and developed high quality residential and commercial properties and, in the process, has attained an outstanding reputation among his peers as well as in the financial community. His experience in the real estate industry along with his unparalleled level of expertise provide the basis for significant contributions in such areas as site designs, land approvals, and land development. Among his most significant contributions to the company and its personnel, however, are his insights and guidance gained from his years of hands-on activity with clients, contractors, vendors, and professionals on every level. Mr. Witmondt is a graduate of Lehigh University.
Eric Witmondt
Chief Executive Officer, Woodmont Properties
Mr. Witmondt is responsible for the rapid expansion of Woodmont Properties' redevelopment, infill, multi-family and commercial development operations. Under his leadership, the company has grown to one of New Jersey's most active developers with commercial developments and acquisitions in excess of 600,000 sq. ft. completed in the past two years, more than 2.5 million sq. ft. of commercial development and more than 2,600 residential units in construction or the design stage. As CEO, Mr. Witmondt directs the company’s short- and long-range planning and strategic direction. Mr. Witmondt began his career with Cushman and Wakefield, where he was a top-producing broker, after which he established Associated Realty, Inc., a leading New Jersey commercial real estate brokerage firm. In 2000, Associated Realty, Inc. merged with GVA Williams, an international real estate services company headquartered in New York, and assumed the name, GVA Williams of NJ with Mr. Witmondt as its CEO. Mr. Witmondt is a graduate of the University of Maryland. Eric was named to the NJBIZ Real Estate Report Power 50 for the past two years in a row ranking #12 in 2010 & #24 in 2011.
Michael Witmondt
Director of Marketing & Leasing
As Director of Marketing & Leasing, Mr. Witmondt is responsible for the marketing and leasing of Woodmont’s existing commercial portfolio; which includes office, residential and industrial/flex properties. Mr. Witmondt also oversees the marketing, lease-up and sales of the residential portfolio which includes rental apartments and for sale housing as well as the marketing of future developments in the Woodmont Properties and Woodmont Industrial Properties pipeline.
A graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park, Mr. Witmondt has experience as both a commercial real estate salesperson and as construction manager of residential and commercial projects.
A graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park, Mr. Witmondt has experience as both a commercial real estate salesperson and as construction manager of residential and commercial projects.
Executive Management
Lewis Zlotnick
President
As President, Mr. Zlotnick is responsible for the strategy, implementation, and management of operations at Woodmont Properties and Woodmont Industrial Properties. He also oversees the activities of both the Development and Construction Divisions, which include due diligence, approvals, site development, and vertical construction of residential and commercial properties. In addition, Mr. Zlotnick is responsible for policies, administration, and personnel. He is also responsible for establishing the company's strategic initiatives. Mr. Zlotnick brings to this position over 30 years of experience in business management, real estate development and construction, serving Woodmont Properties since 1992. Mr. Zlotnick earned a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Business Administration degree from New York University and is a Licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of New Jersey.
David Trager
Executive Vice President/Chief Investment Officer
As Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Trager is responsible for all the company's acquisitions and investments. In addition, he is responsible for securing public and private debt and equity capital for the company's development projects and acquisitions. Mr. Trager also oversees many of the firm's development and redevelopment opportunities. Prior to joining Woodmont, he was the founder and principal of Trager Realty Advisors, and prior to that was President of Westminister Capital, a subsidiary of the Kushner Companies. Mr. Trager's initial real estate experience included eleven years with Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. He has an undergraduate degree in engineering from Union College in Schenectady, New York, and a Masters of Business Administration from The Wharton School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Stephen A. Santola, Esq.
Executive Vice President/General Counsel
As Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Woodmont Properties and Woodmont Industrial Properties, Mr. Santola manages the company's legal affairs and entitlements. He also plays a significant role in managing the development division, guiding new business opportunities, and formalizes corporate strategy. Mr. Santola also manages the company's government relations and legal insight. Prior to joining Woodmont, Mr. Santola was a partner with the law firm of Lindabury, McCormick & Estabrook, specializing in real estate, land use, zoning, and commercial litigation. He has served as both a member on, and attorney for, municipal land use boards, he has represented parties in various application appeals and related litigation. He is a graduate of Colgate University and received a Juris Doctor degree, Cum Laude, from Seton Hall University. Mr. Santola is a member of the Essex County, New Jersey, and American Bar Associations, and is also admitted to practice in the State of New York.
Steven M. Varneckas, P.E.
Vice President and Director of Development
Mr. Varneckas is responsible for the management of the Development Division, which obtains entitlements for multiple real estate projects, including engineering, design and approvals. Additionally, Mr. Varneckas is responsible for performing due diligence in the evaluation of new acquisitions. Prior to joining Woodmont Properties, Mr. Varneckas was a civil engineer at Hanson Engineering in which his responsibilities included the design of residential, commercial, mixed use, industrial and redevelopment sites. He has extensive experience in obtaining municipal, county, state and federal permits and approvals. A licensed professional engineer in the State of New Jersey, Mr. Varneckas is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering with a minor in Environmental Engineering.
Management Team
Dan Miller
As Chief Financial Officer for Woodmont Properties, Mr. Miller is responsible for managing corporate financial resources and charting a course for the financial success of the company. Mr. Miller is also responsible for creating sound accounting and system controls to ensure accurate and timely reporting to internal and external parties. Mr. Miller is responsible for a staff of five controllers and accountants that make up the accounting department. Prior to joining Woodmont, Mr. Miller was a controller with Hampshire Real Estate Companies where he oversaw the accounting, reporting and cash management for three value-added real estate investment funds targeted at institutional investors. Prior to his time with Hampshire, Mr. Miller spent seven years as an auditor with Ernst & Young, specializing in servicing real estate clients. Mr. Miller is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in New York and Virginia. He completed his undergraduate degree in Accounting at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Howard Irwin
As Vice President of Construction, Mr. Irwin is responsible for managing the Construction Division, which includes all site development and vertical construction activities for commercial and residential construction projects. He manages a team of project managers, estimators, laborers, administrators, and selection coordinators to facilitate the complete construction process. In addition, Mr. Irwin supports the Development Division in the engineering and architectural design of new projects. Serving Woodmont since 2010, Mr. Irwin brings to this position over 26 years of experience in real estate development and construction, delivering Woodmont customers the highest level of quality and service while controlling costs and ensuring timely deliveries.
Prior to joining Woodmont, Mr. Irwin was the Senior Vice President of Construction at The Pinnacle Companies. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Delaware and is a CPA.
Prior to joining Woodmont, Mr. Irwin was the Senior Vice President of Construction at The Pinnacle Companies. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Delaware and is a CPA.
Cora Pawlowski
Controller
As Controller of Woodmont Properties, Ms. Pawlowski is responsible for the daily, monthly and annual financial functions of the company. She oversees the accounting staff of the Property Management, Construction, and Development divisions of Woodmont Properties. Ms. Pawlowski has served the company for over eight years bringing her more than twenty years experience in cost accounting, general accounting, and systems analysis to Woodmont Properties. Her extensive knowledge of job cost systems and their implementation was culled from her prior tenures at Rhone-Poulenc, the Otto H. York division of Koch Engineering, and Tiffany & Company. Using such experience, Ms. Pawlowski has facilitated the implementation of Woodmont Property's new accounting systems and controls.
Jessica Schmidt
Controller
As Controller, Ms. Schmidt is responsible for overseeing monthly financial operations with an emphasis on the Residential, Industrial, and Construction portions of the expanding Woodmont portfolio. Her in-depth knowledge of systems is instrumental in generating sophisticated internal and external reporting packages. In addition to managing the reporting process, she also oversees the implementation of internal controls and procedures for the accounting department.
Jessica brings with her over fifteen years of experience that spans finance and operations in the construction, development, and property management industries. Prior to joining Woodmont, Ms. Schmidt was the Assistant Controller at Prism Capital Partners for five years where she oversaw the financial management of their mixed portfolio of Commercial and Industrial holdings as well as multiple long-term development projects in northern New Jersey.
Jessica brings with her over fifteen years of experience that spans finance and operations in the construction, development, and property management industries. Prior to joining Woodmont, Ms. Schmidt was the Assistant Controller at Prism Capital Partners for five years where she oversaw the financial management of their mixed portfolio of Commercial and Industrial holdings as well as multiple long-term development projects in northern New Jersey.
George Buchmann
Director of Asset and Property Management
As Director of Asset and Property Management, George is responsible for managing our commercial property portfolio, including operations, leasing, and capital expenditures, as well as supervising and coordinating our maintenance personnel and service contractors.
Robert Rosen
Senior Vice President/Treasurer
Mr. Rosen is responsible for the coordination, administration and control of financial management functions. He is the primary interface with financial service institutions, outside accounting firms, investors and banks. A Certified Pubic Accountant, Mr. Rosen is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants, and he has more than 20 years experience in the development, construction and management of commercial and residential real estate. Mr. Rosen has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Fairliegh Dickinson University.