R.J. Brunelli & Co. Announces Key Executive Changes

OLD BRIDGE, N.J., Sept. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Moving to position itself for accelerated long-term growth, R.J. Brunelli & Co., LLC today announced the appointments of founder Richard Brunelli as Chairman of the Board, Ron DeLuca as Chief Executive Officer, Danielle Brunelli-Albrecht as President, and Bill Lenaz as Executive VP of Business Development. All four have been principals of the Old Bridge-based retail real estate brokerage since the time it became an LLC in 2010.

In the newly created role of CEO, Mr. DeLuca will work with Ms. Brunelli-Albrecht on strategic planning, while also directing R.J. Brunelli's day-to-day operations, including review and approval of all representation agreements, and other legal documents; hiring of new staff; and oversight of all trade show activities. He will also continue to supervise the firm's annual retail vacancy study, as well as ensure that the sales team conforms to the company's standards on landlord representation accounts. Along with Ms. Brunelli-Albrecht, he will additionally continue to actively represent the firm's interests in nationwide broker network Realty Resources.

Prior to joining R.J. Brunelli as a VP in 2003, the Holmdel, N.J. resident spent 10 years as founder and President of Bristol Business Group, an Eatontown, N.J.-based firm providing business and technology consulting services to Fortune 100 and start-up companies. This followed 17 years as a marketing executive in the technology industry, beginning with 10 years at Perkin Elmer Corp., West Long Branch, N.J. In his role as the Fortune 100 company's Director of Marketing, Mr. DeLuca was part of the team that facilitated the spin-off of a $250 million division into a separate publicly traded company, Concurrent Computer Corp., where he subsequently spent seven years as Senior Director of Marketing. Mr. DeLuca, who began his career at AT&T Bell Laboratories, holds a Masters Degree in Computer Science from Stevens Institute and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University.

In assuming the reins from her father as President, Ms. Brunelli-Albrecht will be responsible for the overall management of the firm's team of sales associates; recruitment of new sales associates; ensuring that the sales team conforms to the company's standards on tenant representation assignments; and oversight of all advertising and public relations activities. As spokesperson for the firm, she will also continue to appear on various retail real estate industry panels.

Ms. Brunelli-Albrecht began her career at R.J. Brunelli when she was 16 as a part-time marketing assistant. In 1999, at the age of just 18, she earned her real estate license while attending Monmouth University, from which she graduated in 2003 with a Bachelors degree in Marketing. While attending classes and captaining Monmouth's Division 1 women's tennis team, she began making her first deals for retailer Sally Beauty Supply. She soon landed the chain's tenant representation account and continues to exclusively represent the company in central and northern New Jersey. This was followed by tenant representation agreements with Zales and Tuesday Morning, as well as long-term preferred broker assignments for Massage Envy and European Wax Center in central New Jersey. The  Holmdel, N.J. resident has also completed multiple deals for such chains as Toys 'R' Us, Sonic, ULTA, Muscle Maker Grill, Burger Fi, and Corner Bakery Cafe. In 2010, Ms. Brunelli-Albrecht added Dollar Tree to the firm's client list, and subsequently completed nearly 50 deals throughout New Jersey as the chain's exclusive representative for the entire state. She was named a Senior VP in 2006.

Mr. Lenaz, in the newly created position of Executive VP of Business Development, will focus his efforts on significant new retail development projects, consult and mentor the firm's sales staff in development areas, as well as uncover new areas for investment for consideration by the R.J. Brunelli Board.  He joined the firm in 1998, bringing 10 years of experience in retail real estate as owner of Eaglerock Realty.

Consistently ranked as the firm's top deal-maker, Mr. Lenaz has been actively involved in developing new business opportunities along high-traffic regional retail corridors, as well as pre-leasing centers in the development stage.  These have included such notable central New Jersey projects as The Commons at Holmdel and Summerhill Square in East Brunswick, both featuring multiple national anchors and, more recently, the Whole Foods-anchored Marlboro Commons. On the tenant side, Mr. Lenaz has directed strategic expansion plans in New Jersey for such prominent companies as Red Robin, Chase Bank, Houlihan's Restaurants, and P.C. Richard and Sons.

"I am very pleased that Ron and Danielle, and Bill will be assuming the responsibilities of CEO, President, and Executive V.P respectively," said Mr. Brunelli. "At a time when we are looking to aggressively expand our footprint in the retail real estate industry, their appointments represent an important step in a senior management transition that began when we formed our LLC in 2010.  Their combined energy, experience and dedication to exceeding our clients' expectations through best-in-class tenant and landlord services will ensure the company's continued success for another 40 years."

Mr. Brunelli, who founded the firm in 1975, will remain active in the business, focusing on special projects, while stepping away from day-to-day operations.

"On a personal note," Mr. Brunelli continued, "I'm especially proud to be passing the presidency of my 'business baby' on to the very capable hands of my oldest child. As a person who literally grew up in the business, Danielle rapidly emerged as one of our top deal-makers and later earned her seat on our senior leadership team. Meanwhile, Ron, a successful deal-maker in his own right, complements Danielle's leadership abilities by bringing critical skill-sets in corporate management, strategic planning, marketing and technology.  Bill's demonstrated success with opening doors, and closing deals is second to none. His in-depth relationships with landlords and the retail brokerage community, knowledge of most national tenants' requirements, and ability to draw site plans and pre-lease proposed centers,  have led to a long and very successful career since the time he joined R.J. Brunelli. As our company's new leadership looks to build our team, all recognize the high importance of having experienced salespeople to service accounts and supporting them with state-of-the-art marketing and canvassing tools."

About R.J. Brunelli & Co.
R.J. Brunelli & Co. serves as exclusive broker for 28 existing retail properties and nine centers under construction with a combined gross leasable area (GLA) exceeding 2.0 million square feet, along with three business locations for sale or lease, and five properties for sale. The properties are located throughout New Jersey. The firm also serves as exclusive or preferred tenant representative for more than 21 retail, restaurant and service chains. These include national assignments for AAMCO and Athena Learning Centers, as well as representation in various New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania counties for such major companies as Burger Fi, Burger King, Corner Bakery, Dollar Tree, Dunkin' Donuts, Red Robin, Sally Beauty Supply, Toys "R" Us/Babies "R" Us, and Work Out World. 

SOURCE R.J. Brunelli & Co.

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