NOVA NEXT COUNCIL

Tim Feron ’11 VSB

Mr. Feron works as a part of the acquisitions and development teams responsible for sourcing office and industrial investments in various markets on the East Coast.

Prior to joining Equus in the spring of 2015, Mr. Feron was a part of the portfolio asset management team at KTR Capital Partners, an industrial focused real estate private equity firm. During his time at KTR, Mr. Feron participated in quarterly valuations, the tenant credit review, dispositions, and the firm’s merger with Prologis, Inc. (PLD). Before KTR, Mr. Feron was an Equity Research Associate in Janney Montgomery Scott’s Capital Markets group where he covered Real Estate Investment Trusts.

Mr. Feron is a 2011 graduate of Villanova University with a B.B.A. in Finance and has a Masters in Real Estate from Georgetown University. Mr. Feron is also an active member of the Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate’s Nova Next Council. 

Branden McBirney ’10 CLAS

Branden McBirney is a senior vice president on Northmarq’s Debt + Equity team based in El Segundo, specializing in commercial real estate debt placement across multifamily, affordable housing, retail, and industrial properties. Branden’s largest area of expertise is in agency lending.

Prior to joining Northmarq, Branden spent over a decade at Berkadia Commercial Mortgage. During his tenure, Branden closed nearly $1.5 billion in transactions across multifamily, affordable housing, retail, commercial, and industrial assets.

Branden serves as an advisory board member for the Urban Land Institute Los Angeles (ULI LA) and co-chair of Urban Marketplace. He is also deeply involved as an alumnus of Sigma Chi fraternity, serving as chapter advisor for the UCLA chapter and as part of the Facilitation Faculty for KTLW, Sigma Chi's accredited leadership summer workshop. Branden has served as President of the Villanova Alumni Club of Los Angeles for 13 years and is the Nova Next Council Co-Chair with Villanova's DiLella Center for Real Estate.

Branden holds a degree in economics from Villanova University (2010) and is a licensed California real estate agent.

Matthew McCormack ’11 VSB

Matthew is a Senior Director in the Miami office of JLL Capital Markets, Americas. He joined JLL as part of the HFF acquisition and has more than 10 years of experience in commercial real estate. He focuses primarily on investment advisory throughout the southeastern United States and has been involved in more than $7 billion in transactions throughout his career.

Matthew started at HFF in May 2016. Before that, he worked as an associate at Crocker Partners (CP Group), where he was responsible for the acquisition of new assets as well as for the management and disposition of existing assets across all of Crocker’s target markets. During Matthew’s time at the firm, he participated in more than $1.3 billion in closed transactions, amassing more than eight million square feet of new acquisitions. Prior to his five years at Crocker, he interned at CBRE, Thomson Reuters and JP Morgan Chase. 

Connor Burke '15 VSB

Connor is a Principal at Alterra Property Group, overseeing mixed-use and multi-family acquisitions and investments for the firm, including the closing of over $1B of mixed-use transactions.

Prior to joining Alterra, Connor was an Associate Asset Manager at North Bethesda, MD based Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT), where he worked in various development, finance and asset management capacities. Connor’s role at FRT within the firm’s Metro Washington DC and South Florida portfolios, focused on the development and underwriting of large-scale mixed-use projects consisting of retail, multi-family, office, condo, and hotel uses.

Connor serves as a Co-Chair of the ULI Philadelphia Housing Council, serves on the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation Board, the Villanova Real Estate Nova Next Council, and on the Board of Directors of Andrew’s Army, a charity focused on pediatric cancer research. Connor holds a B.S. from Villanova University with a double major in Finance and Real Estate.

Chris Catarino CPA '11 VSB '17 MT

As Partner at Armanino LLP, Chris provides tax compliance and consulting services to real estate investors, entrepreneurs and developers. Working with real estate funds from formation through disposition, Chris understands the key tax issues facing real estate projects throughout their lifecycle. Chris has experience with entity structuring, complex partnership agreements and allocations, profits/carried interests, Opportunity Zones, passive activity losses, refinancing, debt restructuring, cost segregation studies, and Section 1031 like-kind exchanges. Chris graduated from Villanova University with bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance and received his Master in Taxation from the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law in May of 2017.

Erin Corcoran '18 VSB

Erin Corcoran serves as a Development Manager for Greystar in the Boston office. Prior to Greystar, Erin served as a Development Associate at Oxford Properties Group. Erin has also previously held roles as an Associate in Real Estate Capital Markets at The Davis Companies from September 2020 to March 2022 and as a Commercial Real Estate Analyst at Wells Fargo from June 2018 to August 2020. Erin Corcoran earned a Bachelor's Degree in Finance with a co-major in Real Estate, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Villanova University in 2018, following graduation from Masconomet Regional High School in 2013.

Nicoletta DeSimone '17 VSB

Nicoletta M. DeSimone serves as Executive Vice President, Head of Investments at RADCO, where she leads the firm’s investment platform across acquisitions, capital markets, asset management, and investor relations for owned assets.

Since joining RADCO in 2022, Ms. DeSimone sourced and executed multifamily acquisitions, shaped the firm’s capitalization strategy across multiple asset classes, and directed its equity and debt capital markets activities. She leads the firm’s private and institutional capital-raising efforts, structures joint venture partnerships, and drives the continued growth of RADCO’s investment platform through strategic investments and new investment vehicles.

Nicoletta holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Villanova University. She remains actively involved with the Villanova School of Business as a member of its Nova Next Council.

Anthony DiSilvestro '13 VSB

Anthony DiSilvestro is a seasoned multifamily investment management professional with over a decade of experience. Anthony has specialized in pursuing and operating investment opportunities for institutional and high-net-worth investors at well-established, vertically integrated real estate investment platforms. He brings a disciplined, strategic approach to capital deployment and investment stewardship, with expertise in capital raising, investment, acquisition, finance, disposition, asset management and property management.

Currently at GoldOller Real Estate Investments, Mr. DiSilvestro oversees a portfolio of 13 properties totaling over 5,000 units. He acts as the primary liaison with the firm’s largest, NY-based institutional LP and manages most of the firm’s recent acquisitions. His cross-functional leadership ensures alignment of the investment strategy, asset performance, and operational execution across all phases of the investment lifecycle.

Previously, Mr. DiSilvestro spent nearly a decade at Merion Realty Partners where his primary responsibilities included the sourcing and evaluation of acquisitions as well as assisting in the disposition and asset management of the real estate portfolio. During his tenure he was instrumental in the acquisition and management of over 29 properties totaling $1.7B of asset value. He also implemented and managed the organization’s investor relations platform in addition to overseeing and carrying out the firm’s internal valuation processes.

Prior to joining Merion, Mr. DiSilvestro spent two years with Clarion/Samuels Associates, a real estate consulting firm specializing in real estate valuation, condemnation appraisals, and tax appeal litigation. Anthony graduated Cum Laude from Villanova University in 2013 with a Business Administration degree in Finance, Accounting, and Real Estate. Mr. DiSilvestro is an active member of Villanova’s Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate and serves on the Center’s Nova Next Council.

Ryan Dunn '01 VSB 

Ryan is Principal and Co-Founder of Dunn Squared. He is directly involved with all aspects of the company, including company management, project management, client relations, subcontractor relations, project bidding & budgeting, real estate developments, strategic planning, marketing, and more.

Ryan began his career in 2001 at one of Philadelphia’s premier commercial real estate companies, The Rubenstein Company, LP, where he was an Associate in their leasing firm, The Rubenstein Brokerage Group, Inc. While there, Ryan represented Rubenstein in lease negotiations and valuations for their $1 billion office portfolio. He then joined Dunn-Noble Development Company, LLC in 2004 as a Development Manager, where he oversaw the development, construction and management of the company’s retail and industrial portfolio. In 2005 and continuing to today, Ryan is Principal and Co-Founder of Dunn Twiggar Company, LLC, a full service commercial real estate company. Ryan oversees day-to-day operations, personnel, new business and manages a portfolio of over 2 million square feet of industrial, office and retail properties. During his career at Dunn Twiggar, Ryan led the investment, construction, development and management of more than $500 million in commercial, industrial, residential and mixed-use real estate, which most recently includes the redevelopment of a former church into a multi-family apartment complex. Ryan has also developed multiple custom-built beach homes along the New Jersey Shore.

Ryan graduated from Villanova University in 2001, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is a licensed real estate salesperson in Pennsylvania. Ryan is currently on the Board of Trustees for ArtsQuest, Chairperson of ArtsQuest’s Strategic Planning Committee and a committee member of their Finance & Audit Committee and their Strategic Growth Committee. He completed the Leadership Lehigh Valley program, is a former member of Bethlehem ROTARACT, Leadership Lehigh Valley, and a former board member North Central Little League, along with coaching his children’s soccer and baseball teams. Ryan was featured in Eastern Pennsylvania’s Business Journal issue as one of the “20 Under 40” in the Lehigh Valley, was named by Lehigh Valley Style magazine as of one of 8 people to watch and was entrepreneur of the month for www.lehighvalleyentrepreneur.tv.

Ryan currently lives in Bethlehem, PA with his wife Ellen and their two children, who all love to spend weekends, holidays and summer weeks at their family beach home in Avalon, NJ.

Kevin Healey '11 VSB

Kevin joined Goldfine & Company as a Partner in 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience and expertise in Retail Tenant Representation. His primary focus is on assisting both national and local retailers in their expansion efforts, ensuring successful growth into new locations. Kevin’s strategic approach and deep understanding of the retail market have enabled him to effectively support clients in navigating the complexities of site selection, lease negotiation, and market analysis. His dedication to client success is evident in the long-term relationships he has built with numerous prominent retailers. Kevin’s commitment to excellence and his comprehensive knowledge of the retail landscape make him an invaluable asset to both his clients and the Goldfine & Company team. He continues to play a pivotal role in driving the firm’s mission to deliver exceptional service and results.

To date Kevin has completed hundreds of retail transactions in his career with retailers such as Grocery Outlet, Dollar Tree, Victory Brewing, AFC Urgent Care, Golftec, Solidcore, Glowbar, and Driven Brands.

In 2022 Kevin was named a Real Estate Rising Star honoree by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Kevin is a native of Woodbury, New Jersey and a proud graduate of St. Augustine Prep in Richland, New Jersey. He went on to attend Villanova University where he was a 3-year starting goaltender for the Villanova Ice Hockey team. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys golfing, time with friends & family, traveling, and spending summers down the shore. Kevin currently resides in Mickleton, New Jersey with his wife Ali and their two children Everly and Bowen.

Kevin is an active supporter of the Be The Match Bone Marrow Foundation and Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation. In September of 2013, Kevin was determined a perfect match for a person in need and donated his bone marrow shortly after.

Ryan Kelly '12 VSB

Ryan Kelly is a Senior Development Manager at Panattoni Development Company, focusing on data centers and large-scale industrial infrastructure across North America. He previously served as Vice President of Development and Construction at Bluewater Property Group, where he managed five development projects with a cumulative total of over 4.6 million square feet of speculative and build-to-suit logistics centers throughout the Northeast. Prior to Bluewater, Ryan worked as an Analyst at Stoltz Real Estate Partners. Prior to his career in Real Estate, Ryan worked in investment management and consulting. Ryan holds a B.S. from Villanova University and an M.B.A. from the Columbia Business School.

Alex Keszeli '19 VSB

Mr. Keszeli is an acquisitions manager for Equus Capital Partners, Ltd., where he is responsible for sourcing and underwriting multifamily acquisitions in the Mid and South Atlantic markets.

Prior to joining Equus in 2021, Mr. Keszeli was in an operations role for Madison Apartment Group. As property manager of a value-add multifamily asset located in the suburban Philadelphia market, he oversaw multiple exterior and interior capital projects, improving property performance.

Mr. Keszeli graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance and Real Estate. He is a licensed real estate salesperson in PA.

Ryan Milanaik '15 VSB

Ryan Milanaik is a Senior Vice President at JLL, providing industrial leasing and valuation expertise throughout New Jersey and New York. Ryan has marketed more than 5 million square feet of industrial space for sale transactions since joining JLL in 2018.

Prior to joining JLL, Ryan worked for RAIT Financial Trust, primarily focusing on asset management of REO nationwide. Ryan was also a key member of RAIT’s Securitization team, securitizing fixed and floating rate loans across all asset types.

Ryan graduated from Villanova University in 2015 with a BBA in Finance and International Business.

Outside of work, Ryan is a head coach for Special Olympics soccer and basketball teams, where he helps athletes with intellectual disabilities strive for success on and off the field.

Connor Milanaik '15 VSB

Connor Milanaik currently serves as Vice President, Investments at Bluewater Property Group. He previously worked in Bridge’s Northeastern Region where he was responsible for all aspects of the acquisition and underwriting process for development opportunities. In addition to these processes, Connor lead due diligence, leasing, coordinating debt financing, and the disposition processes for these opportunities. Prior to joining Bridge, Connor was a Mortgage Financing Associate at HFF, LP. During his time at HFF, LP, Connor worked on a variety of product types including industrial, multifamily, office, and retail with different mortgage requirements. Connor is a graduate of Villanova University where he holds Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Finance and Real Estate. He is also a member of NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Professionals) as well as a member of the March of Dimes New Jersey Real Estate committee.

Rick Murphy '09 VSB

Rick Murphy joined Bluerock in 2019 and serves as a Vice President of Acquisitions, where he is responsible for sourcing, underwriting, and due diligence of multifamily investments nationwide. Bluerock is a publicly traded REIT that invests in multifamily properties through whole ownership, joint ventures, mezzanine / preferred, and stretch senior financing. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Murphy was with LaSalle investment Management in a variety of acquisitions roles that included underwriting office, medical office, retail, and multifamily properties. To date he has closed more than $3.5B of transactions, which includes 6,400+ apartment units. Mr. Murphy received a Master of Science in Real Estate degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Villanova University.

Dominick V. Paragano '09 VSB

Dominick V. Paragano handles the property management, leasing, construction and development opportunities for Paragano Real Estate Management, Inc. After graduating Villanova University in 2009 with a BS in Finance and a Minor in Real Estate, Dominick V. began working at Silbert Realty & Management Company as a leasing agent, representing both Landlords and Tenants in their retail and office transactions. In 2011, Dominick V. joined the property management team at Normandy Real Estate Partners, a private equity investment and management firm specializing in value-add office investments. Following Normandy, Dominick V. joined his father and grandfather in the management of the family’s commercial properties and development opportunities. Since joining his family business, Dominick V. has overseen and is currently involved in such projects as the repositioning of an office building for future development of 90+ townhouses, acquisitions and 1031 exchanges, redevelopment projects, underwriting and due diligence, commercial mortgages and refinancing, numerous capital projects, new leases, renewals, tenant fit-outs and CAM collections. Dominick V. is a licensed broker-salesperson in the State of NJ.

Dominick V. serves on the Board of Directors for the non-profit organization, The Shepherds of Youth and resides in Bedminster, NJ.

Zachary Spaeder '23 VSB

Zac Spaeder is an Associate at Alliance HP where he focuses on opportunistic and value add investments in commercial properties located in the Greater Philadelphia and Southeast Florida areas. He graduated from Villanova University, where he majored in finance and real estate.

Shaun Topper '18 VSB

Shaun Topper is Vice President of Transactions at Curbline Properties (NYSE: CURB) where he is based out of the Atlanta office.

He graduated from Villanova in 2018 with a degree in Real Estate and Accounting.

Christian Vergilio '16 VSB

Christian is the Founder and Managing Partner of Perduro Capital Group with responsibility for acquisitions, capital markets, and strategic direction of the firm. Christian has executed over $1.7 billion of real estate transactions across approximately 15 million square feet, including over $1.5 billion of industrial acquisitions.

Prior to founding PCG, Christian served as Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Blacktop Industrial Trust, where he led investment strategy across various industrial subtypes within the industrial sector. Before Blacktop, Christian was a Managing Director and Head of Industrial Acquisitions at Arden Logistics Parks, where he played a leading role in the firm's national acquisition program and the structuring of Arden's IOS/ISF venture. Earlier in his career, Christian was an acquisitions officer at Angelo Gordon and Co., focused on single-tenant industrial sale-leaseback investments.

Christian earned his B.B.A. in Finance and Real Estate from Villanova University, where he was captain of the Men's Rowing Team and recipient of the Bartley Medallion for Real Estate.

Phil Voutsakis '11 VSB

Phil Voutsakis is licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and has extensive experience in representing commercial landlords and tenants as well as sellers and purchasers in investment sales transactions. Phil brings nearly 15 years of experience and a knack for identifying untapped real estate value in both Philadelphia, the five county area and Southern New Jersey.

Phil previously founded Longbow Partners LLC, a construction management and real estate investment firm and co-founded AR Spruce LLC, a real estate development and management services firm. Prior to that, Phil was an acquisitions analyst at Hayden Real Estate Investments, spearheading office and industrial acquisitions totaling over $200m. Phil attended Villanova University and is actively involved in Villanova’s Nova Next Real Estate Council. Phil also volunteers extensively at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in his hometown of Media, PA.

Andrew Walheim '19 VSB

Andrew Walheim is a seasoned investment professional with experience in asset management and acquisitions. He previously led the investment team for a regional real estate investment firm with a portfolio of nearly 1.5 million square feet.

He is a graduate of Villanova University where he remains involved as a member of the Nova Next Council in the DiLella Center for Commercial Real Estate.