By Tina Traster
NAI Mertz has promoted Chris Matus to director and Jared Licht to senior associate.
In a news release, the Mount Laurel-based firm said Matus is a generalist who has completed deals in multiple sectors in Pennsylvania, including the sale of the 325,300-square-foot Cascades tissue manufacturing plant in Pittston and of two Grizzly Industrial buildings totaling 425,897 square feet in Muncy. He has also spearheaded the lease-up of the Super Walmart in Taylor Commons Shopping Center in Taylor, Pennsylvania.
Prior to joining NAI Mertz in 2016, Matus had more than 20 years of corporate enterprise management. He was a private business owner who grew his business to include 20 nationally branded retail locations across Pennsylvania.
“Chris is an accomplished business professional who dedicated himself to commercial real estate five short years ago,” said Bobbi Jean Formosa, executive managing director and chief operating officer of NAI Mertz. “From that time, he has become a valued member of the team. A student of the industry, Chris diligently worked to earn his (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation and is actively pursuing his SIOR (designation). He has facilitated deals in the retail, office, industrial and investment sectors and has developed strong client relationships along the way.”
NAI Mertz Vice President Steve Cole also praised Matus.
“Chris epitomizes the definitions of dedicated, diligent, driven and client-centric,” Cole said. “His ability to prosper through the pandemic and to overcome adversity as a result of creative strategies is admirable. His analytical style is an asset and positions him well for the ever-evolving marketplace.”
Matus holds a bachelor’s from Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Licht, meantime, joined the firm in 2017 as a sales associate and focused his efforts on corporate projects as well as supporting seasoned industrial brokers, according to a news release. His efforts over the last several years have included marketing, deal room creation, budget management, financial analysis, vendor coordination, research, facilitation of sales, leases and all the aspects of commercial and industrial brokerage.
“Jared joined NAI Mertz over four years ago and we are proud to have him on the team where he leverages his approachable style, engaging personality and deep industry knowledge to benefit his clients,” Formosa said. “Growing up in a commercial real estate family afforded him a fast track to jump-start his career as evidenced by recent accolades he received from commercial real estate industry publications including having been named to the MidAtlantic Real Estate Journal’s 30 Under 30.”
Jeffrey Licht, senior vice president and manager of NAI Mertz Philadelphia metro and Southeastern Pennsylvania office, added: “Jared has quickly and effectively leveraged a natural aptitude and competitive spirit from the ballfield to commercial real estate. He is wise and accomplished beyond his years. Jared has become a vital member of the NAI Mertz Southeastern PA team in a relatively short window of time. I am very proud of what has accomplished to date and look forward to having a front row seat as he continues to grow and prosper.”
Jared Licht holds a bachelor’s in hospitality management from Pennsylvania State University. He is a licensed real estate salesperson in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, while serving on boards of many community organizations including Project Hope and Autism Speaks.
Tina Traster is a freelance writer and the editor of Rockland County Business Journal. She is also a former business writer for Crain’s New York Business, real estate writer for the New York Post and staffer at the Bergen Record.
