OUR MANAGEMENT

Fred Puccio
Background
With 20 years of experience in the catering field, Fred Puccio has a solid background in event planning, catering, and property management. He graduated from Seton Hall University in 1995 with a double major in psychology and economics, which gave him the expertise to deal effectively with clients and manage a multi-million dollar business. He began his career at The Excelsior where from 1996-2001 he managed the day to day operations of this 30,000 square foot event and catering facility located in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. With five banquet rooms routinely running multiple events and approximately 45 employees, Fred’s responsibilities included sales, event planning, staff management, purchasing, and maintenance. Fred’s effective management skills resulted in not only The Excelsior realizing $4,000,000 in annual sales, but also contributed to the success of the sale of The Excelsior in 2001 for $5,000,000.

From 2001-2006 Fred managed a real estate portfolio of ten properties, both commercial and residential for Girolamo Puccio, Sr., which encompassed rent collection, CAM calculations, lease renewals and property management.

Current Work
At the same time, Fred became the General Manager of The Rockleigh in 2001, an exclusive catering facility located in the northeast corner of Bergen County. This 100,000 square foot facility set on 15 acres has a seating capacity of 1,200 and hosts 500 events each year, specializing in high-end weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and corporate events. The Rockleigh’s outstanding reputation in the catering market has resulted in gross annual sales of $14,000,000. His responsibilities include sales and sales management, grounds and facility maintenance, purchasing, and operations management. Over a three year period, from 2010-2013, with managing a sales team of four, Fred was able to increase sales by 20%.

Fred’s expertise in managing facility and grounds maintenance was acquired from three interior renovation projects ranging from $750,000 to $1,500,000 which he budgeted and supervised. He is currently in the process of a $1,200,000 exterior improvement of the parking lot and porte-cochere.

Looking Forward
Future plans for The Rockleigh include two additional renovation projects slated over the next two years with an estimated cost of $3,000,000. There are also approvals in place to build a 125 room boutique hotel on the property which will break ground in 2019. Fred strongly believes all of these improvements and additions will increase the already impressive value and success of The Rockleigh.

Fred is 45 years old and a longtime resident of Rockleigh, New Jersey.
Gerry Puccio
Background
Gerry’s earlier professional career began as the executive chef and food and beverage director of the Rockleigh Country Club. After attending Fairleigh Dickinson University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business, Gerry chose to attend the Culinary Institute of America to further his studies in the culinary field. His associate degree in culinary arts enabled him to contribute to the growing success of the Rockleigh, an exclusive catering facility located in the northeast corner of Bergen County. This 100,000-square foot facility set on 15 acres has a seating capacity of 1.200 and hosts 500 events each year, specializing in high-end weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and corporate events. The Rockleigh’s outstanding reputation in the catering market has resulted in gross annual sales of $14,000,000.

Gerry, along with his father, Jerry Sr. and brother Fred extended their business interests in 2003 by forming Maxim Realty Trust, a vehicle for managing their existing real estate properties. This began Gerry’s transition into real estate as he was named Chief Operating Officer with the responsibility of managing the family’s real estate portfolio.

Current Work
As Chief Operating Officer, Gerry has consistently added value to MRT’s assets by way of renovating, expanding, leasing up and repositioning their existing holdings. He has done this by assembling an effective team of construction managers, property maintenance personnel, bookkeepers and property managers. He is constantly refinancing existing assets, financing new acquisitions and is always seeking new investment opportunities for MRT. During his tenure as COO, he has grown the portfolio to 1,000,000 square feet.

Notable entitlements received by Gerry:
  • 150,000 square foot self-storage facility managed by Extra Space in Westwood, New Jersey
  • 7-Eleven, Stony Point, New York
  • Children of America Day Care Center, Stony Point, New York
  • 7-Eleven, River Edge, New Jersey
  • 240 Pegasus Plaza, Northvale, New Jersey
  • 22 Paris – Rockleigh Business Center, Rockleigh, New Jersey
  • The Grande at Norwood, Norwood, New Jersey – Mixed use development of 30 market rate rental apartment units and 9000 square feet of retail
  • The Grande at Saddle Brook, Saddle Brook, New Jersey – 80 market rate rental apartment units
  • Freestanding Moe’s Southwest Grill, Saddle Brook, New Jersey
  • Planet Fitness, Airmont, New York

Future projects to be entitled:
  • 606 River Road, Edgewater, New Jersey – 120 unit mid-rise
  • Phase 2 and 3 at The Grande at Saddle Brook – adding 200 additional apartment rentals
  • The Grande at Rockleigh – 25 high-end townhouse unit community
  • Joint venture, Edgewater, New Jersey – 400 unit mid-rise

Looking Forward
Gerry’s intentions for the future growth of Maxim Realty Trust is to grow the portfolio to 2,000,000 square feet, seek future sites for self-storage development and add 500 additional rental units. Based on past successes he feels these are quite realistic goals.
Gerry, 42 years old, previously a long-time resident of Rockleigh, New Jersey, is currently living in Piermont, New York.