Michael Ro
By Joshua Burd
RIPCO Real Estate has hired Michael Ro as an associate retail adviser based in its Elmwood Park office, the brokerage firm announced this week.
According to a news release, Ro will focus on the New Jersey and New York markets while specializing in retail and hospitality transactions. He’ll work alongside RIPCO Executive Managing Director Nina Santos Becker, also based in Elmwood Park, and be responsible for tenant and landlord representation.
“Michael brings strong analytical skills, market insight and a disciplined execution mindset to RIPCO,” said Mark Kaplan, the firm’s president. “His experience advising both landlords and tenants, combined with his collaborative approach, makes him a valuable addition to our growing New Jersey and New York teams.”
Prior to joining RIPCO, Ro worked at WS Development as a leasing associate, where he supported small-shop leasing across a portfolio of open-air shopping centers throughout New England, the news release said. He partnered closely with ownership and development teams on tenant sourcing, merchandising strategy and lease negotiations, which gave him a strong foundation in how deals are structured from the owner’s perspective.
Ro later joined Charter Realty as a retail adviser, where he represented both landlords and tenants, advising clients on site selection, market strategy and execution across retail and hospitality assignments.
“What excites me most about joining RIPCO is the people and the opportunity to work alongside some of the most respected retail advisors in the country,” Ro said. “The depth of experience across the New York and New Jersey markets is unmatched, and being part of a collaborative, relationship-driven team that values market intelligence and execution at the highest level is incredibly motivating.”



