GARY J.

SOPKO
www.mycareerhighlights.com/garysopko
31 Wilkinson Road (973) 219-3530
Randolph, NJ 07869 gs112a97c@westpost.net
MANAGING DIRECTOR CAPITAL MARKETS & ACQUISITIONS
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Commercial Real Estate Executive responsible for capital markets activities, acq
uisitions/dispositions, banking and institutional joint venture relationships fo
r a $1.2 billion regional commercial real estate investment firm which was an ow
ner and developer of office, flex, industrial, retail and multifamily properties
with 5 million square feet of operating properties and a development portfolio
consisting of 6 million square feet of commercial projects.
CORE COMPETENCIES: Acquisitions, Debt and Equity Placement, New Market Penetrat
ion, Asset Management, Asset Risk/Return Analysis, Contract Negotiation & Closin
gs, Derivative Hedging Strategy, Development of Due Diligence Policies & Procedu
res, Mentoring. Microsoft Office, ACT, Excel & ARGUS proficiency.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Managing Director
THE GARIBALDI GROUP 2010-Present
Chatham, NJ
A 90 year old regional commercial brokerage firm providing both landlord and ten
ant representation services. Hired to establish a Capital Markets group responsi
ble for delivering the optimal capitalization structure for The Garibaldi Groups
clients' investment, development and financing needs by sourcing both debt and
equity for commercial real estate opportunities.
* Established 5 new relationships within the first six months of operation. Advi
sing a New Jersey suburban office investor and a Florida multi-family investor o
n selecting institutional equity partners who will enable both operators to succ
essfully achieve their respective acquisition strategies. Using my extensive mar
ket knowledge and contacts in the Northeast to source acquisition opportunities
for a product diversified, but lien investment group. Engaged to secure construc
tion and permanent financing for a 200,000 SF office build-to-suit. Requested to
identify refinancing options for a grocery anchored retail client.
* Maintain significant business and professional relationships. The ability to b
ring operator/developers together with investment capital enables both parties t
o realize their respective growth objectives.
* Mentor young brokers on Capital Markets and finance issues which may arise for
their clients and prospects. Asked by principals to help expand broker perspect
ive beyond lease negotiation skills. Working with a number of brokers to help id
entify new business opportunities for the firm.

GARY J. SOPKO PAGE TWO

Principal
LLENROCK GROUP, LLC 2008 - 2010
Philadelphia, PA
A fee-based commercial real estate firm specializing in providing debt and equit
y solutions for its office, industrial, multi-family and hospitality clients. R
esponsible for the overall strategic direction of the Company, client developmen
t, sourcing both debt and equity for commercial real estate development and acqu
isitions.
* Secured a $30 million JV partner to invest in distressed hospitality opportuni
ties in
the Northeast: Established an Equity Source expanding the corporate platform to
 include direct investment. Given core competencies of organization, current ma
rket conditions for all RE sectors,
determined the niche market segment the firm could successfully attract capital
to.
* Successfully established 5 engagements to raise either debt or equity for new
clients
totaling in excess of $100 million with fees of $1 million: With no source of
income for a new entity, needed to establish fee engagements ASAP. Created a ma
rketing plan to target potential
clients and solicit third party referrals.
* Received 3 letters of interest for the $35 million requested debt financing wi
th terms and conditions acceptable to the client: Engaged by NJ based Real Esta
te Investment Company to secure first mortgage debt for office building acquisit
ion. Reviewed all third party offering material, advised client as to valuation
and return expectations, conducted independent due diligence, consulted on JV s
tructure and prepared debt placement memorandum and distributed to likely lendin
g sources.
Managing Director - Capital Markets and Acquisitions
ADVANCE REALTY GROUP, LLC 1995 - 2008
Bedminster, NJ
A $1.2 billion owner and developer of office, flex, industrial, retail and multi
family properties with 5 million square feet of operating properties and a devel
opment portfolio consisting of 6 million square feet of commercial projects. Re
sponsible for all capital markets activities, acquisitions/dispositions, banking
and institutional joint venture relationships for this regional commercial real
estate investment firm. Member of the Executive Committee and a non-voting memb
er of the Board of Directors. Staff of 8 with a $1.5 million budget.
* From a De Novo start acquired over $100 million of commercial office property
in the first 24 months. By 2005, grew the portfolio to $1.2 billion in 3 separa
te regions - Greater Boston, Suburban NJ/NY and Metro Washington DC: Local de
veloper wished to mitigate inherent development cash flow risk by acquiring exis
ting properties. Was seeded with $3 million to acquire commercial properties.
Created the investment platform and acquisition strategy. Did extensive marke
t research to determine primary investment markets and product type. Negotiated
a 90/10 JV with an institutional investor which provided buying power of $120 m
illion. Introduced investment strategy to owners/developers, investment sales b
rokers and third party professionals to source opportunities.
GARY J. SOPKO PAGE THREE
* Acquired a 10 building portfolio establishing a presence in the Metro Washingt
on DC market. The portfolio was fully leased in 15 months and from the purchase
price of $58/SF and an additional investment of $40/ SF, created a portfolio va
lued at nearly $200/SF: Entered a new market with the largest acquisition the c
ompany had made to date. Completed significant market research to identify empl
oyment drivers, competition, potential tenants for the 60% vacancy in the office
park (360,000 SF). Secured appropriate financing to achieve value creation str
ategy.
* Over a 3- year period, closed 11 JV transactions with 7 separate partners and
delivered an aggregate IRR of 45% to the partners: Reconfigured the organizatio
nal structure into a holding company making it more attractive to outside invest
ment. Prepared an investment memorandum, outlining the company's investment str
ategy and success stories. Prepared "Road Show" PowerPoint presentation for ins
titutional investor meetings.
* Took a billion dollar investment portfolio from 80% variable interest debt to
85% fixed rate debt with a weighted interest rate of 5.5% and an average maturit
y of just under 10 years: Focused on opportunistic and value-added acquisitions
, appropriate debt financing was critical to the long term overall investment st
rategy success.
* Prepared the Operating Portfolio for sale per Board decision: Executed 25 Con
fidentiality Agreements, conducted 12 property tours and reviewed and negotiated
5 Letters of Intent with valuations and terms & conditions acceptable to the Bo
ard.
Previously, Senior Vice President & Unit Manager for THE BANK OF NEW YORK, NA re
sponsible for all Middle Market banking activities for the Northern New Jersey m
arketplace. Member of the Bank's Northern Regional Credit Committee which revie
ws and approves all credit extensions up to $25mm. Also, Vice President & Depar
tment Manager for STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY responsible for all middle
market banking activities for the Greater Boston area.
EDUCATION
MBA, Finance
MIAMI UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, Oxford, Ohio
BA, Political Science & English
ST. JOHN FISHER COLLEGE, Rochester, NY
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
* NAIOP Capital Markets Forum II - formerly Vice Chairman
* NAIOP Annual Capital Markets Conference - Planning Committee Member
* ULI - Associate Member, past
* Philadelphia Real Estate Council
* Association for Corporate Group (ACG)
* VC/PE Executives Council
* Commerce and Industry Association- Member