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40 OCTOBER 2025
and Panasonic, directing commercial
real estate strategy and delivering
integrated services across more than
2,600 offi ce, laboratory and warehouse
distribution facilities worldwide.
He has successfully executed more
than 1,100 transactions across North
America, Europe, the Middle East,
Africa and Asia, equating to more than
22 million square feet and a total value
exceeding $3.5 billion.
“Ben’s promotion to executive vice
chairman represents the pinnacle of
achievement at Cushman & Wakefi eld
and underscores his extraordinary
impact on our fi rm,” said Peter
Bronsnick,
executive
regional
director with
the company.
“He exemplifi es
the very best
of our culture
— exceptional
Ben Brenner
leadership,
creativity and a relentless
commitment to client success. This
promotion refl ects our confi dence in
his vision and his ability to guide our
clients’ most complex and high-value
real estate decisions.”
GENSLER PROMOTES
ELLIS TO DIRECTOR
OF STRATEGY STUDIO
Gensler has promoted Jennifer Ellis
to director with its Strategy Studio, a
practice that guides clients through
major changes to their organizations
and workplaces.
Ellis, who joined the fi rm in 2006, has
more than 25 years of professional
experience in
design, client
engagement,
workplace
strategy
and project
leadership with
companies from
a wide range
Jennifer Ellis
of industries
throughout New Jersey. That includes
leading the strategy practice in
Morristown, which uses research
and data to better understand clients’
specifi c culture, spatial requirements
and project vision as they recalibrate
their physical footprint.
“When our clients are challenged, we
use workplace strategy to help them
optimize their real estate,” Ellis said.
“Whether it’s a merger, a return-to-
work strategy or space effi ciency, we
seek to understand the right solution
for each organization.”
Ellis started with Gensler as
an interior designer, designing
workplaces for companies such as
Connell Foley LLP, Liberty Mutual
and Wyndham Worldwide, according
to a news release. She is known for
her enthusiasm for understanding
each client and project and her desire
to quantify the impact of emerging
trends, creating what the fi rm said
is a strong balance of design and
research.
Gensler added that, with a portfolio
of client names including Provident
Bank, Samsung and Pinterest,
Ellis and her team lead businesses
through change management
initiatives, real estate portfolio
strategy, workplace strategy and
design guidelines.
“We’ve seen a number of companies
rethinking their space planning and
management in offi ces over the last
fi ve years,” said Reid Brockmeier
and Becky Button, co-managing
directors of Gensler’s Morristown
offi ce. “With a background as an
interior designer, Jenn has been
instrumental in helping clients make
data-informed decisions to fi nd a
workplace strategy that fi ts their
needs. Her promotion to studio
director refl ects the growth of this
practice and her commitment to the
ever-evolving workplace.”
IRG TAPS BROWN TO
LEAD PEARL RIVER
CAMPUS
The owner of a 2 million-square-foot
research campus just north of New
Jersey has tapped commercial real
estate veteran Greg Brown as the
property’s top executive.
As a vice president and director,
Brown oversees all aspects of day-
to-day operations, development
and growth at the Hudson Valley
iCampus in Pearl River, New York.
He does so while drawing on 25
years of experience in development,
asset management, leasing, property
management and investment
management, having led two
companies as chief operating offi cer
and having been responsible for
more than $2.5 billion in assets under
management across eight different
states.
He’s now a key member of Industrial
Realty Group LLC, which acquired
the iconic former Pfi zer campus at
401 North Middletown Road in 2015
and has sought to reposition it as a
multitenant property for innovation,
ingenuity and industry.
“We’re thrilled for the future of
Hudson Valley iCampus,” said Greg
Hipp, chief operating offi cer of
Industrial Realty
Group. “Greg
has shown
throughout his
career that he is
an experienced
leader, with a
track record
of improving
Greg Brown
operations,
effi ciencies and profi tability. We
welcome him to the IRG team and are
ready to see the campus reach new
heights of success.”
IRG noted that, in his most recent
COO role, Brown oversaw more
than 100 team members in the daily
operations of more than 50 assets
totaling 7.5 million square feet. He has
also held FINRA Series 7/63 securities
licenses as well as real estate
brokerage licenses in fi ve states.
“It is an incredible opportunity to
join an established, dynamic site
owned by a world-class developer,”
Brown said. “IRG’s ability to create
value at Hudson Valley iCampus
highlights their skill in executing a
clear, steady vision. It’s exciting to
join such a creative, collaborative
environment. I’m looking forward to
leading the Hudson Valley iCampus
into the future — and its best
chapter yet.”
HOCKSTEIN JOINS
MANDELBAUM
BARRETT
Hudson County real estate attorney
Linda J. Hockstein has joined
Mandelbaum Barrett PC, giving the
fi rm a strong presence in the region as
development continues along the Gold
Coast.
The Roseland-based fi rm said
Hockstein, a respected attorney
and founder of Hockstein Law, will
continue to work from her offi ce at
660 Broadway in Bayonne. She moves
to the practice with three decades
of experience, working on behalf of
buyers, sellers, borrowers, developers
and other clients across a host of
commercial and residential asset
classes.
Mandelbaum Barrett noted that, in
Bayonne, new apartment buildings
are leasing up within four months of
getting their certifi cates of occupancy.
Further, a study by the city revealed
that its overall residential occupancy
rate is currently 94.6 percent.
“This expansion of our practice
into Hudson County allows us to
better serve clients in a growing and
dynamic market, while adding Linda’s
extensive experience and trusted
counsel to our real estate team,” said
Barry R. Mandelbaum, Mandelbaum
Barrett PC chairman and longtime
real estate partner. “It’s a natural
step in our fi rm’s commitment to
delivering top-tier legal services
across New Jersey.”
Hockstein, who founded her practice
in 1996, handles hundreds of
residential real estate closings per
year in the purchase and sale of real
property that includes condominium
units, single and multifamily homes
and rental and investment properties,
according to a news release. Her
commercial real
estate practice
supports
clients in the
acquisition
and sale of
investment
properties, as
well as mixed-
Linda J. Hockstein
use, industrial
and warehouse buildings.
She is also frequently retained
by clients to handle complex
transactions, including construction
loans and refi nancing.
“Mandelbaum Barrett’s expansion
into Bayonne underscores the fi rm’s
commitment to meeting the legal
needs of individuals, families and
businesses in Hudson County by
providing comprehensive counsel
across more than 30 practice areas,”
Mandelbaum Barrett CEO William
S. Barrett said. “The Bayonne offi ce
marks a signifi cant milestone in
Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s ongoing
growth, reinforcing its presence in
one of New Jersey’s most dynamic
and diverse communities.
“The past few months have marked
an exciting chapter in our fi rm’s
growth overall. We are growing not
just in size, but in depth, capability
and reach with the addition of
a Bayonne, NJ, location. These
strategic moves strengthen our
ability to deliver exceptional, full-
service counsel to our clients,
while maintaining the personalized
attention and commitment that defi ne
Mandelbaum Barrett PC.” RE