From left: Susanne Newmark, president of Newmark Associates, Chief Operating Officer Nancy Glick and Neal Richards, the director of the firm’s new retail division — Courtesy: Newmark Associates
By Joshua Burd
A veteran broker has joined Newmark Associates to lead the firm’s newly formed retail practice.
Newmark, which is based in Cedar Knolls, announced that it has hired Neal Richards as the director of its retail division. He joins the firm after previously leading a retail brokerage organization, Vanguard Realty, where he managed 35 sales associates over 22 years, specializing in shopping centers and central business district properties as a top producer and leader in the asset class.
Also joining Newmark from Vanguard is Nicholas Maria, a former longtime senior vice president at Time Warner, as part of the firm’s effort to carve out another niche.
“I have collaborated with Newmark Associates for many years and when the possibility to direct a retail division presented itself, I immediately took it,” Richards said. “I look forward to a long and successful relationship with the Newmark team.”
In a news release, Newmark said Richards has developed a niche in landlord representation in Montclair, having completed transactions with tenants such as Urban Outfitters, South Moon Under, Blue Mercury, Playa Bowls, Starbucks and others. Prior to his work at Vanguard, he was a retail broker associate with Jeffrey Realty, where he represented both landlords and tenants.
The firm also highlighted his experience over 22 years in New Jersey’s seven northern counties, with clients including Commerce Bank North, HSBC and Walgreens.
In his new role, Richards will also mentor other associates at the firm.
“Neal has 30 (plus) years of experience in the retail end of the business and we are honored that he has chosen Newmark to continue his career in commercial real estate,” said Nancy Glick, the firm’s chief operating officer.
