Page 40 - RE-NJ

38 OCTOBER 2025
PEOPLE ON
THE MOVE
MHS ARCHITECTURE
ELEVATES SCHEETZ
TO ASSOCIATE
MHS Architecture has promoted
David Scheetz to associate, touting
his role in growing and setting the
direction of the fi rm since joining its
team more than a decade ago.
The practice, which is based in
Hoboken, said Scheetz initially
worked closely with Principal Bruce
Stieve on entitlement approvals for
projects that
helped set the
stage for its
rapid growth,
according to a
news release.
Since then, he
has become a
trusted partner
David Scheetz
to the fi rm’s
principals, guiding teams through
complex high-rise, mixed-use
developments and ensuring seamless
coordination through all phases of
projects with clients, consultants and
city agencies.
In that time, he also earned his
architect’s license, MHS said, further
solidifying his professional standing
and ability to lead projects from
concept through completion.
“Known for his clear thinking and
precision, Scheetz routinely manages
contract deliverables ranging from
renderings and construction drawings
to BIM models and construction
administration services, all while
keeping project goals aligned across
large, multidisciplinary teams,”
MHS wrote in a news release.
“Beyond project work, Scheetz has
been instrumental in shaping the
fi rm’s culture and operations. He
is a regular participant in fi rmwide
strategy sessions with fi rm leadership
to refi ne standards, policies and
staffi ng direction.”
The company added that, in the past
year alone, Scheetz launched the MHS
Seminar Series and helped revamp its
performance review process. He has
also made mentorship a cornerstone
of his role with the aim of guiding and
empowering the next generation of
architects and designers at MHS.
Scheetz, who joined MHS 11 years
ago, is known for his collaborative
nature, his constructive approach to
evaluating ideas and his technical
depth of knowledge with building
systems, materials and codes, the
news release said.
VETERAN BROKER
YAMAGUCHI JOINS
JLL TEAM
JLL has strengthened its New Jersey
brokerage team with the addition of
Naoki Yamaguchi as a vice president.
The real estate services fi rm said
Yamaguchi, a 20-year industry
veteran, joins its ranks with a
specialty in tenant representation
and relationships with more than
160 multinational fi rms establishing
operations in New Jersey. He most
recently was a vice president of
the commercial real estate division
at Relo Redac Inc., where he
collaborated with senior leadership to
develop strategic initiatives, manage
broker teams and drive company
growth, having joined in 2003 and
rising to vice president.
Based in JLL’s East Rutherford offi ce,
Yamaguchi will look to leverage
the fi rm’s resources, network and
reputation to broaden service
offerings, deliver client value and
strategically attract new business
opportunities.
“Naoki has built a reputation as one
of the region’s premier brokers, with
a long history of advising some of
the world’s leading companies,” said
Tim Greiner,
executive
managing
director and
JLL’s New Jersey
brokerage lead.
“His ability
to leverage
deep client
Naoki Yamaguchi
relationships
will be a tremendous asset as we
continue our strategic growth across
the region.”
A native of Japan with a deep
understanding of the country’s
business customs, Yamaguchi has
successfully built a strong client
portfolio and established himself
as a trusted broker of choice for
both Japanese corporations and
multinational companies that value
his professional approach, according
to a news release. That includes
working with global corporations
such as Toyota, Mitsubishi Tanabe
Pharma, Casio and NS Pharma,
with a particular focus on assisting
international companies in
establishing operations in New
Jersey.
He holds a bachelor of laws from
Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo.
“I’m truly excited to join JLL, a global
fi rm with a reputation for intelligent,
forward-thinking brokers who
collaborate to deliver great results,”
Yamaguchi said. “The move will give
me the opportunity to do even more
for my clients, offering a higher level
of service while tapping into JLL’s
unmatched resources and network to
help them grow and succeed.”
OTTEAU GROUP’S
MONTFERRAT NAMED
PARTNER
The Otteau Group has elevated
Connor Montferrat to partner, citing
his contributions, leadership and
service to clients since he joined
the Matawan-based appraisal and
advisory fi rm in 2017.
Montferrat, who most recently
served as a
director, holds
the prestigious
Member of
the Appraisal
Institute
designation
and focuses
his practice
Connor Montferrat
on complex
valuation and advisory services to
the company’s diverse client base,
according to a news release. He is
also well versed in litigation matters
— having been qualifi ed as an expert
witness in valuation, eminent domain,
feasibility, environmental stigma
and land use — while his experience
includes high-profi le projects such
as site selection for Netfl ix Studios
at Fort Monmouth, deep subsurface
easements for underground rail
tunnels and feasibility analytics for
New Jersey Economic Development
Authority tax credits.
Otteau Group, meantime, cited
Montferrat’s integrity, humility and a
deep sense of responsibility, noting
that he regularly mentors team
members to promote their career
advancement and serves his local
community in government service
roles.
“Connor’s promotion to partner is not
only a recognition of his remarkable
talents but also a testament to the
values he brings to our company
every day,” said Christopher Otteau,
managing partner of the fi rm. “We
are honored to stand shoulder to
shoulder with him in serving our
clients every day.”
SCARINCI ADDS
DEMARCO AS
PARTNER
Joseph DeMarco has joined Scarinci
Hollenbeck LLC as a partner,
bolstering its real estate, land use
and public practices with a veteran
attorney and municipal administrator.
The fi rm, which is based in Little
Falls, announced the move in late
September
while touting
DeMarco’s
signifi cant
experience
leading complex,
large-scale
development
projects and his
Joseph DeMarco
more than 20
years of service to public and private
entities. That includes his tenure as
Somerset County counsel and past
positions as municipal administrator
for Bayonne and West New York,
meaning he has been directly
involved in the redevelopment and
governance issues that shape New
Jersey communities.
He also represented private
developers, investors and businesses in
land use, real estate transactions and
regulatory compliance, Scarinci said,
noting that the dual background allows
him to anticipate challenges, navigate
local politics and deliver practical
solutions for projects of any scale.
“Having worked both in government
and alongside private developers, I’ve
seen fi rsthand how complex and time-
sensitive redevelopment projects can
be,” DeMarco said. “Joining Scarinci
Hollenbeck’s real estate team gives me
the opportunity to put that experience
to work in a way that helps clients
navigate challenges and achieve their
vision for transformative projects. I am
excited to bring my unique perspective
to the team.”
The fi rm added that DeMarco will
advise clients on complex real estate
transactions with a particular focus
on redevelopment initiatives. He
is well-versed in all facets of the
process, from negotiating fi nancial
and redevelopment agreements