The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.
When one neighbor helps another, we strengthen our communities.
– Jennifer Pahlka
If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right.
– Bob Basso
Commitment means staying loyal to what you said you were going to do, long after the mood you said it in has left.
– Neil Patel
One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don’t throw it away.
– Steve Hawking
It’s not how much you have that makes people look up to you, it’s who you are.
God has given us two hands–one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing.
We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.
Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone.
I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.
Heroes didn’t leap tall buildings or stop bullets with an outstretched hand; they didn’t wear boots and capes. They bled, and they bruised, and their superpowers were as simple as listening, or loving. Heroes were ordinary people who knew that even if their own lives were impossibly knotted, they could untangle someone else’s. And maybe that one act could lead someone to rescue you right back.
What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were: any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.
Everything is connected, no one thing can change by itself.
Life has a way of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen as once.
Be Brave. Take Risks. Nothing can substitute experience.
Do. Or do not. There is no try.
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Professional Experience
Over his 30 year career, David has worked on the disposition, acquisition, leasing, development, and financing of a wide portfolio of projects in the Boston market, contributing to the success of Core Investments and its partnerships. David launched his career in development while still a student at Bryant University and honed his expertise over three decades. Prior to founding Core Investments, Dave was a founder and partner at Helm Investments, a real estate investment firm focusing on residential properties in Boston.
Dave is a proud supporter of numerous local and national charitable organizations, including Smile Train, Project Bread, Special Olympics, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Feed the Children, Food for the Poor, Salvation Army, Wounded Warrior Project, Soldiers’ Angels, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Covenant House, and Catholic Relief Services.
Education
Bryant University, Marketing and Economics
Professional Experience
Over the course of his 25+ year career, Brett has built a solid reputation of financial and ethical integrity. He has a demonstrated ability to bridge tactical and strategic initiatives to drive organizational success. Brett has helped build world-class teams through the seamless integration of processes, people and technology. Brett has held executive positions in finance and operations for construction, technology and real estate development companies.
Brett joined Core in 2015 and manages finance, investors and operations. Brett spends his time off enjoying his family and volunteering at his local Rotary where he is their Treasurer.
Education
F.W. Olin Graduate School, Babson College, Master of Business and Administration
Lehigh University Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Professional Experience
John Cissel is an accomplished Real Estate Executive with more than 35 years of experience. Working across geographies and cultures, he has advised dozens of organizations and major corporations from Nasdaq, Wachovia, and Mitsubishi to many non-profits such as The Salvation Army, The Bowery Mission, and Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
He began his career in the Boston area with Fraen Real Estate Corporation, and his success led to an opportunity to co-found an international real estate Brokerage and OPM firm, focusing on representing many of the earliest internet companies. During this time, he directed and lead hundreds of millions of dollars in leases, sales transactions, and projects across 50 cities and 12 countries.
Education
Gordon College, B.S. in Biblical Studies, Languages, Literatures and Linguistics
Registration
Real Estate Broker’s License: Massachusetts and California Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) Lambda Alpha International
Professional Experience
As General Counsel of Core Investments, Gary brings decades of extensive experience in real estate law, including the legal aspects of sophisticated commercial real estate acquisition, development, land use, leasing, joint ventures and financing.
Gary was a partner at Bernkopf Goodman LLP, a premier Boston law firm where he practiced for 46 years. During the last 10 years of practice at Bernkopf, Lilienthal represented Core.
He served for over 20 years on municipal boards, including Zoning Boards of Appeal and Planning Boards. He has written and lectured on various aspects of commercial real estate law and land use and was an instructor in Land Use at Boston College Law School.
Education
University of California at Berkeley, B.S.
Boston College Law School, J.D.
Professional Experience
Jessica joined Core Investments in May of 2006 as Controller. She is responsible for managing the accounting team and providing the financial and tax reporting for all of Core’s real estate and partnerships. Jessica began her career working at Framingham, Mass.-based Staples, Inc. and after nearly three years of financial reporting for five regional sales offices across the U.S., she decided to switch gears and work in real estate.
In 1999, she joined the real estate development company, Modern Continental Enterprises in Cambridge where she spent five years as the accounting manager and was responsible for the financial reporting and cash management for the real estate divisions in the Northeast, Southeast and hotel operations in St. Lucia. Jessica has extensive expertise in financial accounting and reporting, forecasting and trend projections, cash flow analysis and management.
Education
Nichols College, B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting
Professional Experience
Michael joined Core in September 2021 as the Vice President of Development. Michael brings with him 18 years of real estate design, development and construction management experience. Michael’s specialties include ground-up mixed-use development, life sciences and office design, large multifamily development, and retail placemaking and programming.
Previously, Michael was senior project manager at Rockhill Management of Boston. Michael also was cofounder and management partner of Sports Performance Investment Group of Boston, which developed and managed three fitness locations.
Michael enjoys staying active, and is an avid CrossFitter. He also enjoys camping, hiking, international travel, and has volunteered as a project manager at Habitat for Humanity International.
Education
Bentley University, MBA
Fitchburg State University, Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Certificate in Commercial Real Estate Analysis and Finance
Professional Experience
As Vice President of Development, Tim works closely with the President of Development in managing the development pipeline. To date, he has completed $100+ million of development from acquisition to stabilization across several property types and has successfully permitted 1 million square feet in Boston. He is currently engaged in permitting 8-10 million square feet and completing the development of $400 million of real estate.
Tim has specialized knowledge of Heritage Restoration Tax Credit projects, city permitting, construction processes and development analysis. Tim joined Core in 2005 with an extensive background in residential and commercial construction management.
Education
Wentworth Institute of Technology Construction Management
Registration
State of Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License
Professional Experience
Zach brings 20 years of experience in commercial real estate to the Core Investments team, including a deep understanding of asset management, leasing, financial analysis, acquisitions, and dispositions. As Vice President of Asset Services, Zach oversees Core’s existing properties and deals with leases, tenants and tenant agreements, and coordinating with buildings’ managers.
Before joining Core, Zach was with MassDevelopment as Senior Vice President for Asset Management where he developed and implemented strategies for the agency’s owned and leased real estate. Before that, he was a Commercial Real Estate Appraiser for Byrne McKinney and Associates, Inc.
Zach enjoys staying active and spending time with family in his downtime. He’s a road cyclist, plays golf and tennis, and is a coach/player for a men’s league softball team. Zach is also interested in technology and photography, especially architectural subjects. Zach is a member of ULI (Urban Land Institute) and NAIOP.
Education
Brandeis University, Bachelor of Economics
