Josh Mann, co-founder and co-managing partner of Iron Ore Properties and president of the New Jersey Builders Association
By Joshua Burd
The New Jersey Builders Association has installed its newest president, tapping a Millburn-based developer and attorney to help guide the organization in the year ahead.
Josh Mann, co-founder and co-managing partner of Iron Ore Properties, was among six officers sworn in Wednesday at the organization’s annual board of directors meeting. He will serve as its 68th president for a one-year term, succeeding homebuilding executive Michael V. Canuso.
“I’m honored to assume the office of president and am looking forward to positioning our industry to lead us through the coming economic recovery while fighting to address New Jersey’s growing housing affordability crisis,” Mann said. “Time and again, housing has led us out of economic downturns and today, the need for housing has never been greater.”
The NJBA’s other newly installed elected officers include:
- Vice President: Thomas P. Bovino, Jackson Development Corp.
- Treasurer: Frank Belgiovine, Belmont Construction Corp.
- Secretary: Debra J. Tantleff, Tantum Real Estate
- Associate Vice President: Kim A. Manicone, USI Insurance Services
- Second Associate Vice President: Suzzane Kronenfeld, Keller Williams Realty Inc.
In his role at Iron Ore Properties, Mann has direct responsibility for strategic planning, acquisitions, operations, legal and governmental relationships and the execution of the company’s stabilized, value-add and distressed projects, according to a news release. He previously was a partner and general counsel at Seaview Capital Partners LLC, where he managed the company’s acquisitions and development projects, acted as counsel on all transactions and management decisions and helped oversee and create unique deal structures that returned well above-market investment returns.
The NJBA noted that, during Mann’s tenure at Seaview, he grew the firm from a small distressed debt shop to a significant holder of value-add and stabilized real estate. The company’s stabilized and value-add portfolio increased in equity value by roughly 115 percent in his four years there, while the average internal rate of return for distressed asset deals was more than 28 percent.
“Mr. Mann has been at the forefront of development in New Jersey as both an attorney and developer, bringing a deep understanding of the New Jersey market and its many challenges to NJBA’s helm,” said Jeff Kolakowski, the association’s CEO. “I am certain that he will be an excellent leader for our association as we fight to emerge from this pandemic and bring quality affordable housing opportunities to New Jerseyans.”
Mann started at Seaview after 10 years as an attorney and three years as a partner at two of New Jersey’s largest law firms, the news release said. While in private practice, he represented clients in large-scale redevelopment projects, in complex transactions and financings and applications before land use boards throughout the state.
Additionally, Mann represented investment funds and individuals in the acquisition and disposition of distressed debt portfolios and investments, the NJBA said, adding that Mann has helped draft legislation and testified before lawmakers on matters concerning both redevelopment and distressed assets. While a full-time practicing attorney, he was named to “40 under 40” lists by the New Jersey Law Journal and the Metropolitan Builders and Contractors Association.
Mann earned a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism and political science from Syracuse University and his law degree from Rutgers Law School in Newark, where he served as a Governor’s Executive Fellow through the Eagleton Institute of Politics. He is also a member of the Emerging Leaders Council of the Rutgers Center Real Estate, where he teaches a class on real estate law to MBA students.
Prior to becoming NJBA president, Mann held various other leadership positions with the association and with the Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey.