SURMOUNT Announces Formation of Leadership Advisory Board Comprised of Industry-Leading Real Estate Executives

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SURMOUNT, a newly launched full-service global commercial real estate platform, today announced the formation of its Leadership Advisory Board. The board brings together highly accomplished and respected leaders from across the real estate and real estate finance industries to provide strategic guidance as the firm continues to scale its operations across net lease advisory, sale leaseback, development, capital markets, and principal investments.

“We’re honored to welcome such a distinguished group of industry executives to our Leadership Advisory Board,” said Glen Kunofsky, Chief Executive Officer of SURMOUNT. “Their combined experience spans every facet of real estate—from investment and development to brokerage, finance, technology, and law—and they’ve each built platforms and organizations that have shaped the industry. As we further grow SURMOUNT into a full-service platform, their strategic guidance will be invaluable in helping us navigate complex markets, capitalize on emerging opportunities, and deliver differentiated value to our clients and partners.”

The inaugural members of the SURMOUNT Leadership Advisory Board are:

• Michael K. Federman – Managing Partner, Federman Steifman LLP
  Mr. Federman has advised clients on more than $60 billion in commercial real estate and finance transactions across the United States. He founded and currently leads a full-service real estate and finance law firm that represents investors, lenders, operating companies, owners and developers in all manners of acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, developments, financings, and joint ventures. He previously practiced with Sidley Austin and Morgan Lewis.

• Robert Lapidus – President & Chief Investment Officer, L&L Holding Company
  Mr. Lapidus co-founded L&L Holding Company, a premier vertically integrated real estate firm that has acquired or developed over 10 million square feet of prime commercial and residential space in New York and Florida. With nearly four decades of experience in real estate ownership, development, capital raising, finance and asset management, he has overseen more than $20 billion in transactions and created iconic developments such as 425 Park Avenue, Terminal Warehouse and Wynwood Plaza.

• Jay Olshonsky – President, Forty Two Plus, LLC & Fmr. Chairman, President & CEO, NAI Global
  Mr. Olshonsky is the owner of Forty Two Plus, LLC, a real estate consulting firm focused on delivering guidance across commercial and residential real estate. He was formerly the Chairman, President and CEO of NAI Global, a leading global commercial real estate firm, where he led the organization through significant growth, expanded its global footprint, and implemented key initiatives that strengthened performance and market presence. He has over three decades of experience in brokerage leadership and global platform expansion including holding senior leadership roles at CB Richard Ellis.

• Mitchell Sabshon – Fmr. President & CEO, Inland Real Estate Investment Corporation, and Board Member, Seritage Growth Properties (NYSE: SRG)
  Mr. Sabshon previously oversaw the transformation of Inland into a leading $14 billion AUM commercial real estate investment management company, leading the firm through strategic expansion, acquisitions and public offerings. He is currently a Board Member of Seritage Growth Properties, and has former executive leadership experience at Cole Real Estate Investments, Goldman Sachs, and Lehman Brothers Inc.

• Chris Smith – President, Orchard
  Mr. Smith serves as President of Orchard, overseeing sales, brokerage, mortgage, and title operations across the company’s national footprint. Prior to joining Orchard, he led Strategy and Growth at public hospitality and real estate firm Inspirato and held roles at Jefferies and Visa.

The formation of the Leadership Advisory Board represents a key milestone for SURMOUNT, which brings together NNN Pro, STNL Advisors, and United Global Development Co. into a single, fully integrated real estate platform.

“Our ability to deliver best-in-class execution starts with the strength of our people and partners,” said Nicoletti DePaul, Chief Operating Officer of SURMOUNT. “Our Leadership Advisory Board brings together visionary leaders who understand what it takes to scale organizations, drive innovation, and navigate change—qualities that will help ensure SURMOUNT’s strategy remains agile, dynamic, and client-focused as we further grow the platform."

About SURMOUNT
SURMOUNT is a full-service commercial real estate firm offering global expertise in net lease advisory, sale leaseback, lease structuring, development, capital markets, and principal investments. With over 130 professionals across offices in New York City, Boston, Scottsdale, and Chicago, SURMOUNT provides end-to-end real estate services for private investors, REITs, private equity and financial sponsors, family offices, multi-unit franchisees, business owners, tenants, developers, and lenders.