By Joshua Burd
A growing investment firm has made a major addition to its leadership team, tapping a well-known commercial real estate executive in New Jersey as its chief operating officer.
First National Realty Partners, which is based in Red Bank, announced this week that Kurt Padavano has joined the company in the key management role, bringing more than 30 years of experience and a deep network within the industry. The five-year-old firm touted the hire as a critical step in its growing investment, development and asset management platform, along with improving the various functions within the enterprise.
“Having superstars in key executive roles is critical for success in any company,” said Christopher Palermo, a managing principal with the firm. “Kurt is a game-changer for us. Together we are excited to continue to build out the First National Realty Partners platform.”
Padavano spent 25 years at what is now Advance Realty Investors, rising to president and principal of the Bedminster-based firm. In a news release, FNRP touted his experience across all commercial real estate asset classes and investment platforms, ranging from family offices to institutional joint ventures, citing his expertise in asset and property management, due diligence, insurance and risk management, asset repositioning, human resources, construction management and environmental matters.
The veteran executive has served the industry in top roles such as chairman and chief elected officer of Building Owners and Managers Association International, president of BOMA New Jersey and chairman of the Regional Owners Council. He holds a degree from Pennsylvania State University and certificates from Harvard University and the University of Southern Carolina, while he has been an adjunct professor and instructor at Harvard and Columbia University.
Padavano is also an advisory board member at Morristown Medical Center and Seton Hall University’s Stillman School of Business. He holds degrees from Pennsylvania State University and Harvard University.
