Rick Baer is the Senior Executive Director of American Commercial Realty Corp. (ACR), which he founded with Mr. Cohen in 2002. Mr. Baer oversees all of ACR's operations. They founded ACR as a private company to facilitate the acquisition, ownership, and management of shopping centers and office buildings throughout the United States. ACR currently provides advisory, management and related services to private investors in many states. Mr. Baer brings his experience in complex negotiations, property development, investor relations and employee management to the company as it expands both its portfolio and client representations.
Prior to the formation of ACR, Mr. Baer was Vice-President and Director of Real Estate for Baer's Furniture Company where he oversaw the company's expansion from five stores and one warehouse in two counties to fourteen stores and four warehouses throughout southern Florida. Previously, Mr. Baer was Chief Operating Officer of Denver-based Meridith Property Management Co. where he originally developed the leasing department and was subsequently responsible for all aspects of the management company as it expanded its operations from Colorado east to Maryland. He began his career in the New York area, supervising the management, leasing, and redevelopment of properties throughout the country for Marx Realty and Improvement Co., Inc. and handling lease negotiations, governmental communication, and financing for Martin Heller and Associates.
Mr. Baer received a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan School of Architecture and Urban Planning in 1977 where he also received a B.A. in Urban Studies. He is a member of ICSC and serves on its Palm Beach County Board. A father of two, he is married and active in local civic and charitable functions including the March of the Living and the Palm Beach County Jewish Federation, where he is the chair of its Real Estate Society.
Andrew J. Cohen is the President of American Commercial Realty Corp., which he founded with Mr. Baer in 2002. He is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cohen and Company, Inc. Real Estate, one of the leading full-service brokerage firms specializing in shopping center sales in the United States and the managing member of Cohen Commercial Properties, LLC, a leading acquirer of commercial properties in the Eastern United States.
Cohen and Company, Inc. Real Estate ("CCIRE") was founded in 1991. The firm's recent sales have exceeded $2,500,000,000 representing over 24,000,000 square feet in 39 states. The firm is unique in its proven record of representing both the seller and buyer in a majority of the transactions completed by the firm. Nationally known as one of the finest shopping center brokerage resources, CCIRE provides comprehensive brokerage services for shopping centers as well as other types of investment properties. It is equally relied on for its capability to evaluate individual assets and portfolios as well as for marketing and repositioning assignments. CCIRE is headquartered in New York City with regional offices in suburban New York City and Florida.
Cohen Commercial Properties, LLC ("CCP") was founded in 1997. It has been responsible for the acquisition of over 2,000,000 square feet of commercial space since its inception. Properties have included shopping centers, urban retail buildings, taxpayers, office buildings and mixed use developments.
Mr. Cohen is a member of ICSC and has been active in the real estate industry for nearly two decades. A father of two, he is married and active in local civic and charitable functions including the American Cancer Society and UJA - Federation of New York.
Zach Berg is Director of Property Management of American Commercial Realty Corp. He joined the organization in 2003 and is responsible for the oversight of all property management functions, including the preparation of annual operating and capital improvement budgets, property inspection programs, merchant relations, risk management, contract service provider selection, and lease administration. He is responsible for supervision of all property management personnel.
Mr. Berg entered the commercial real estate field in 1997 as a leasing agent for NAI/Merin Hunter Codman. Prior to joining American Commercial Realty, Mr. Berg was a property manager for Mandev Properites, an owner of retail properties and office buildings. Mr. Berg is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and received both his Bachelor's Degree and MBA from Florida Atlantic University.
Mitch Boxer is Director of leasing for American Commercial Realty. He is responsible for leasing in the Southern Division of ACR. In this role, Mr. Boxer facilitates all aspects of lease negotiations. Prior to joining the organization, Mr. Boxer worked with the Terranova Corporation for 10 years. He was responsible for leasing over 20 properties comprising over 5,000,000 square feet. In his capacity as Associate Director of Leasing, Mr. Boxer was in charge of recruiting and training of new leasing agents.
Mr. Boxer received his Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Speech Communications from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He also received his Bachelor's of Science in Hotel/Restaurant Management from Florida International University. Currently, Mr. Boxer is a member of The International Council of Shopping Centers and he has served as past chair of the ICSC South Florida Idea Exchange. In addition, Mr. Boxer sits on ICSC's Florida program committee. He is also active in Jewish communal work as President of Temple B'Nai Aviv in South Florida.
Rebecca Metzger is the Director of Leasing for the Northeastern Division where she is responsible for procuring tenants, negotiating lease terms, and drafting leases. Ms. Metzger first joined the organization in 2002. She now oversees all leasing operations for the Northeastern properties.
Ms. Metzger graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in Economics. She is currently a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers' Next Generation Division.
Jim Edwards is the Regional Property Manager and Office Leasing Representative for the Plantation, Florida Division of the organization. Mr. Edwards brings to the company an extensive background in production management as well as sales and marketing work in the textile field. Before joining the company, Mr. Edwards worked in the signage industry concentrating in sales, manufacturing and installations.
Becky Compton is the Administrative Director of American Commercial Realty Corp. She joined the company in August 2003 and is responsible for all administrative and bookkeeping aspects required by the office. Ms. Compton handles accounts receivable, accounts payable and produces annual operating reports for numerous properties.
Prior to joining American Commercial Realty Corp., Ms. Compton was a leasing consultant for Archstone-Smith/Fogelman Management Group in Orlando, Florida. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management/Property Management from Florida State University.
